Senior Industrial Relations Manager

Hitachi; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Rail UK Limited in London seeks a Senior Industrial Relations Manager to shape employee and trade union relations across the UK business. This is not a traditional HR role.

As IR subject matter expert you will partner with senior leaders, HR teams and recognised Trade Unions to build constructive, forward-looking relationships that support performance and engagement. You will lead on strategy, collective bargaining, change programmes and risk management while coaching leaders to

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading Industrial Relations strategy within a unionised organisation.
• Strong track record of successful collective bargaining and negotiation.
• Experience managing complex employee relations and dispute resolution activities.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment and Trade Union legislation.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Ability to balance commercial priorities with positive employee relations outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering UK Industrial Relations strategy.
• Building strong, trusted relationships with Trade Unions and employee representatives.
• Leading collective bargaining and pay negotiations.
• Supporting large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Managing complex industrial relations challenges and minimising business risk.
• Coaching leaders and HR teams to strengthen industrial relations capability across the business.

Skills

Industrial Relations

Stakeholder management

Collective bargaining

Negotiation

UK employment law

Change management

Job description

Location:

Remote - London, United Kingdom

Job ID:

R0146922

Date Posted:

2026-10-01

Company Name:

Hitachi Rail UK Limited

Profession (Job Category):

Human Resources

Job Schedule:

Full time

Remote:

No

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

We’re looking for an exceptional Senior Industrial Relations Manager to help shape the future of employee and trade union relations across our UK business.

This is not a traditional HR role.

This is a unique opportunity to influence business strategy, lead complex negotiations, support major transformation programmes, and build the industrial relations framework that will help power our future success.

The Opportunity

As our Industrial Relations subject matter expert, you will partner with senior leaders, HR teams and recognised Trade Unions to create constructive, forward-looking relationships that support both organisational performance and employee engagement.

You will lead on:

• Developing and delivering our UK Industrial Relations strategy
• Building strong, trusted relationships with Trade Unions and employee representatives
• Leading collective bargaining and pay negotiations
• Supporting large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes
• Managing complex industrial relations challenges and minimising business risk
• Coaching leaders and HR teams to strengthen industrial relations capability across the business

You’ll play a key role in helping Hitachi Rail navigate a rapidly changing landscape while ensuring our people remain informed, engaged and represented.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for an experienced Industrial Relations leader who can operate confidently at senior levels and influence outcomes across a complex, highly unionised environment.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience leading Industrial Relations strategy within a unionised organisation
• A strong track record of successful collective bargaining and negotiation
• Experience managing complex employee relations and dispute resolution activities
• Deep knowledge of UK employment and Trade Union legislation
• Outstanding stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills
• The ability to balance commercial priorities with positive employee relations outcomes

Experience within rail, transport, engineering, manufacturing or other safety-critical environments would be particularly valuable.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.