Trade Union & Industrial Relations Manager - 12 months contract

Trade Union & Industrial Relations Manager - 12 months contract London - Hybrid (3 days in office) Daye rate: £700 - £1000 (Inside IR35) A leading international financial services organisation is seeking an experienced Trade Union & Industrial Relations Manager on a 12 months contract to lead and shape its industrial relations strategy across the UK and wider EMEA region. This is a senior-level opportunity for an accomplished IR professional with deep expertise in trade union engagement, employee representation, workforce consultation, and employment legislation. You'll play a critical role in influencing business strategy, advising senior stakeholders, and ensuring best practice industrial relations frameworks are embedded across a complex, fast-paced environment. Reporting into senior HR leadership, you will be responsible for developing and executing a proactive industrial relations strategy that supports organisational objectives whilst ensuring compliance with evolving employment legislation. You will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders on union relations, workforce engagement, employee voice, and industrial relations risk management. Key responsibilities will include: Developing and implementing industrial relations strategy across the UK and EMEA. Providing expert guidance on trade union rights, recognition processes, employee representation, and workforce consultation. Managing trade union recognition requests and supporting responses to formal recognition proceedings. Leading negotiations relating to union access agreements and ensuring effective implementation. Building and maintaining constructive relationships with trade unions, regulators, and key external stakeholders. Supporting employee forums and consultation structures to strengthen employee engagement and communication. Delivering education and training programmes to managers on industrial relations best practice and trade union engagement. Establishing governance frameworks, reporting, metrics, and risk management processes relating to industrial relations activity. Monitoring emerging industrial relations trends and providing data-driven recommendations to leadership teams. Experience We're looking for an industrial relations specialist who can operate confidently at executive level and influence complex business decisions. You will bring: Significant experience in Industrial Relations, Employee Relations, Trade Union Engagement, or a related senior HR discipline. Strong knowledge of UK trade union legislation and employment law. Financial services sector experience Demonstrable experience managing union relationships, recognition matters, consultation processes, and industrial relations programmes. Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and navigate complex organisational environments. Strong negotiation and conflict resolution capabilities. A commercial mindset with the ability to balance employee, regulatory, and business priorities. Strong analytical skills with experience using data and insights to shape strategy and mitigate risk. Experience within a regulated, corporate, financial services, or similarly complex environment would be highly advantageous. If you are an experienced Industrial Relations professional looking for an opportunity to make a significant strategic impact, we'd welcome a confidential conversation. Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates