ER Lead

Employee Relations Lead (Trade Union Relations) Based in London Length: 6 months with possible extension IR35 status: Inside We are looking for an experienced Employee Relations Lead to play a pivotal role in strengthening employee and industrial relations across the organisation. This is a high-profile interim opportunity for an accomplished employee relations professional with extensive experience of working in local government and leading negotiations with recognised Trade Unions. You'll be responsible for resolving long-standing and complex industrial relations issues, driving constructive partnership working, and providing strategic advice that supports organisational transformation. Key Responsibilities • Build and maintain effective, collaborative and professional relationships with recognised Trade Unions • Lead formal consultation and negotiation activity across the organisation • Resolve complex industrial relations issues, disputes and high-level employee relations cases in a timely and pragmatic way • Support major organisational change, transformation and restructuring programmes • Develop standard operating procedures, workflows and quality assurance processes to improve consistency across Employee Relations • Ensure compliance with employment legislation, collective consultation requirements and ACAS Codes of Practice • Promote early resolution approaches and foster positive partnership working • Contribute to the development of employment policies, procedures and workforce initiatives • Monitor employee relations trends, identify emerging risks and recommend practical solutions Skills, experience and knowledge: • Significant experience negotiating with Trade Unions and successfully resolving complex disputes • Extensive Employee Relations and Industrial Relations experience within local government or the wider public sector • Strong knowledge of employment law, collective consultation requirements, industrial relations practice and Trade Union legislation • The ability to work at pace while maintaining positive and constructive relationships with Trade Union representatives • Experience operating confidently within politically sensitive and high-profile environments