Trade Union Relationship Manager – EK

London Borough of Tower Hamlets; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Blake Recruitment is seeking an experienced Trade Union Relationship Manager to join a local authority’s HR & Organisational Development team. This senior role focuses on managing relationships with recognised Trade Unions, ensuring effective employee relations and successful partnership working.

The successful candidate will have substantial experience in industrial relations, TUPE and employee relations, with the ability to advise senior leaders and handle complex workforce matters.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior HR/IR experience is required.
• Proven track record managing relationships with recognised Trade Unions.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and collective agreements.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with UNISON, UNITE and GMB.
• Lead negotiations on policies, terms and workforce changes.
• Oversee collective consultation during restructures, TUPE and service changes.
• Manage and resolve complex industrial relations issues and disputes.
• Advise senior managers on Trade Union matters and risks.
• Develop consultation frameworks to support employee engagement.
• Oversee Trade Union facility-time arrangements.
• Monitor IR trends and report risks to leadership.
• Support workforce policy development for constructive employee relations.

Skills

Senior HR

Industrial Relations

TU negotiations

Stakeholder influence

Employee relations

Job description

Trade Union Relationship Manager

Grade M | Chief Executives Directorate | HR & Organisational Development

We are currently seeking an experienced Trade Union Relationship Manager to join a local authority’s HR and Organisational Development team. This is a senior position responsible for managing and developing the Council’s relationships with recognised Trade Unions, ensuring effective communication, constructive employee relations and successful partnership working.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in industrial relations, Trade Union negotiations and employee relations, with the ability to advise senior leaders and manage complex workforce matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop positive working relationships with recognised Trade Unions, including UNISON, UNITE and GMB.
• Lead and support negotiations with Trade Unions on employment policies, terms and conditions and workforce changes.
• Oversee collective consultation processes relating to organisational restructures, redundancies, TUPE and service changes.
• Manage and resolve complex industrial relations issues, disputes and potential industrial action.
• Advise senior managers, Directors and HR colleagues on Trade Union matters and employment relations risks.
• Develop effective consultation arrangements and frameworks to support employee engagement and partnership working.
• Manage Trade Union facility-time arrangements and operational relationships with union representatives.
• Monitor industrial relations trends, identify potential risks and provide reports and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support the development of workforce policies and practices that promote constructive employee relations.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Significant experience in a senior HR, Employee Relations or Industrial Relations role.
• Proven experience managing relationships with recognised Trade Unions.
• Strong background in Trade Union negotiations and collective consultation.
• Experience managing complex employee relations issues, disputes and organisational change.
• Understanding of employment law, industrial relations practices and collective agreements.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders, managers and Trade Union representatives.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience within a local authority or wider public-sector organisation would be highly beneficial.

Ideal Candidate Backgrounds

We would welcome applications from candidates with experience as:

• Trade Union Relationship Manager
• Head of Employee Relations
• Employee Relations Manager
• Industrial Relations Manager
• Senior HR Business Partner
• Head of HR
• HR & Organisational Development Manager
• Senior HR Manager

Important Information

This is a politically restricted post. Candidates should be comfortable operating at a senior level, handling confidential and sensitive workforce matters and representing the Council in discussions with recognised Trade Unions.