Millbank
Head of Industrial Relations
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Head of Industrial Relations
As the Head of Industrial Relations, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the MEH Programme, guiding the alliance’s approach to workforce engagement across all sites. Your strategic oversight will ensure constructive interactions with trade unions, adherence to collective agreements, and the proactive resolution of workplace issues, fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. This is a critical, programme-level position that demands trusted leadership on complex IR matters, while also supporting site-level consistency and aligning with partner organisations to deliver project success.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive industrial relations strategy tailored to the unique alliance model of the MEH Programme, covering construction and installation phases.
- Serve as the primary liaison with recognised trade unions, nurturing constructive relationships and ensuring alignment with national and local collective agreements.
- Lead negotiations and consultations on vital workforce issues—including pay, terms and conditions, dispute resolution, and operational changes—in collaboration with partner HR teams and site management.
- Provide expert guidance on compliance with the Engineering Construction Sector Agreement (ECSA) and other relevant national agreements, interpreting and applying them to support effective workforce management.
- Support site-level and programme-wide dispute prevention and resolution, ensuring consistent handling to minimise disruption.
- Oversee disciplinary, grievance, and dispute processes, working closely with embedded HR teams to uphold fairness and transparency.
- Collaborate with legal, HR, and operational teams to identify IR risks early, preparing the programme to address planned or emergent issues effectively.
- Represent the MEH Programme in alliance forums, national industry working groups, and relevant industry bodies, promoting best IR practices and strategic influence.
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Key Requirements
- Extensive experience leading industrial relations within unionised, large-scale infrastructure or construction projects, particularly in alliance or joint venture environments.
- Deep knowledge of the ECSA and/or other national agreements relevant to mechanical and electrical construction such as NAECI.
- Proven confidence and skill in high-stakes negotiations with trade unions and workforce representatives.
- Strategic thinker capable of foreseeing risks and implementing frameworks that promote long-term workforce stability, high performance, and labour productivity.
- Exceptional influencing and relationship-building skills, particularly across multiple employers, union representatives, and stakeholder groups.
- Strong political awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience to maintain professionalism under pressure.
- Understanding of how industrial relations support cultural transformation and high-performance environments.
Personal Attributes
- Collaborative: Navigates complex alliance environments with tact, humility, and a focus on shared success.
- Diplomatic and Emotionally Intelligent: Builds trust and influences across diverse stakeholder groups, from senior leadership to workforce representatives.
- Resilient: Maintains composure and professionalism even during industrial tensions or challenging negotiations.
- Integrity-driven: Acts as a role model for fairness, consistency, and transparency.
- Strategic yet Practical: Balances long-term IR strategies with pragmatic, on-the-ground issue resolution.
- Clear Communicator: Translates complex IR topics into concise, effective messaging for high-stakes discussions.
- Culturally Aligned: Committed to fostering a high-performing, respectful, and inclusive work culture rooted in humility, respect, and solidarity.
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This leadership role offers the opportunity to shape the future of industrial relations within a major infrastructure programme, driving cultural change, enhancing workforce engagement, and delivering key strategic objectives. You will work within a dynamic environment that values collaboration, innovation, and professional development, positioning you to leave a lasting impact on the project and your career trajectory.
The role is a senior and strategic role where you can make a real difference on the biggest project in UK. If you also want to know more about the benefits, please contact James Leon.
Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business.
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