IR Lead UK

Job TitleIR Lead UK

Job Description

Reports to: Director Key Account Heathrow Commercial & Account Airports 

Location: London – Heathrow

Introduction to role

The Employee Relations/Industrial Relations (ER/IR) Specialist will manage and resolve complex employee and industrial relations issues across the organisation, providing expert advice on employment law, managing disciplinary and grievance cases, and fostering positive relationships between the employer and employees. This role involves negotiating with trade unions, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and company policies, and offering balanced advice based on risk assessment to support managers and employees on ER matters.

Role Responsibilities

The ER/IR Specialist will conduct thorough investigations, develop strategies for employee engagement, mediate conflicts, and manage a caseload of ER/IR cases. Acting as the primary contact for trade unions, the specialist will lead pay negotiations and ensure compliance with contracts, local agreements and laws. Ensuring timely resolution of cases, maintaining accurate documentation, advising on employment law changes, supporting HR projects, and collaborating with HR colleagues for a cohesive service is crucial. This role requires a deep understanding of employment law, excellent negotiation skills, and effective management of complex ER/IR issues to maintain a harmonious workplace and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and policies.

Your responsibilities and activities will include:

• Demonstrate exemplary judgement, ensuring balanced advice that considers an assessment of risk that drives end results that are right for the business and/or aligned with our values and behaviours
• Provide expert advice and support to managers and employees on ER matters, including performance management, disciplinary actions, grievances, absence management, and employee welfare
• Conduct thorough investigations into complex ER issues, ensuring a fair and consistent approach
• Develop and implement strategies to improve employee engagement and satisfaction
• Mediate and resolve conflicts between employees and management
• Act as the primary point of contact for trade unions and employee representatives
• Lead pay negotiations on behalf of the organisation
• Ensure compliance with collective agreements, employment laws, and regulations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with trade unions and other employee representative bodies.
• Develop, review, and update HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with current legislation and best practices
• Provide training and support to managers and employees on ER/IR policies and procedures
• Monitor and report on ER/IR trends and issues, providing recommendations for improvement
• Manage a caseload of ER/IR cases, ensuring timely and effective resolution
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and documentation
• Prepare reports and presentations on ER/IR activities and outcomes for senior management
• Monitor and report on ER/IR trends and issues and provide recommendations for improvement
• Advise on the implications of employment law changes and recommend actions to ensure compliance
• Collaborate and support HR projects and initiatives related to employee and industrial relations to deliver a cohesive HR service
• Support by training and developing managers and employees on ER/IR policies and procedures. Ensuring managers are upskilled to deal with people-management challenges and interpret policies fairly and effectively

Role Qualification and Skills

• Must have exposure to Union relationships and TUPE
• Strong project management and demonstrable experience in leading significant projects and policy roll-out
• A flexible self-starter with strong initiative, excellent organisational and multitasking skills who is capable of working autonomously, managing and prioritising their own workload and understanding when and where to seek guidance
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment legislation, policies & procedures and best practices
• Ideally full CIPD qualified
• Proven ability to work with stakeholders at all levels
• You should have experience of working in a matrix organisation in conjunction with central functions & delivery partners
• Proven ability to influence and negotiate across diverse groups and levels

What we offer

• 28 days of annual leave (excluding public holidays)
• Bupa Medical Cover
• YuLife – Wellbeing membership with fast access to GP appointments, promotion of health and wellbeing along with daily quests to gain Yucoins that can be swapped for shopping vouchers
• A challenging work environment with lots of opportunities of career progression.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Pension with Aviva
• Achievers – Employee Recognition Platform and discount of everyday shopping!

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualifies applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age marital status or disability status. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, we are always happy to discuss or explore, any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.