Industrial Relations Manager

Asthon A/S; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established civil engineering business in West Cumbria is seeking an Industrial Relations Manager to lead their industrial relations strategy and workforce engagement. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in civil engineering or related fields and a strong understanding of UK industrial relations and employment law. Responsibilities include developing relationships with trade unions, managing negotiations, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. This permanent role offers a competitive salary and benefits, including a car allowance and pension contribution.

Benefits

Car allowance

8% employer pension contribution

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience in civil engineering, construction, infrastructure, or energy projects.
• Understanding of trade union structures and collective bargaining.
• Knowledge of workforce legislation and UK employment law.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial relations strategy and workforce engagement.
• Develop and maintain relationships with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Manage collective negotiations and resolve disputes.

Skills

Demonstrable experience as an Industrial Relations Manager

Strong understanding of UK industrial relations frameworks

Solid knowledge of UK employment law

Ability to operate in complex, regulated environments

Job description

Recruit4staff are representing a well-established civil engineering business in their search for a Industrial Relations Manager to work in West Cumbria.

Job Details

• Pay: £35,000 - £40,000 (Car allowance £5,060)
• Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, Days, Full Time (45 hours)
• Duration: Permanent
• Benefits: Car allowance, 8% employer pension contribution, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Job Role

As Industrial Relations Manager, you will lead the industrial relations strategy and workforce engagement approach for a major long‑term civil engineering and infrastructure programme based in West Cumbria.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining constructive relationships with trade unions, employee representatives, and the wider project workforce. This includes managing collective negotiations, resolving disputes, overseeing grievance and disciplinary processes, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and labour agreements.

Working closely with project leadership, HR teams, construction managers, and subcontractors, you will ensure fair and consistent industrial relations practices across all work packages. The Industrial Relations Manager will monitor workforce climate, address emerging issues proactively, support mobilisation, and promote a stable working environment across the project.

Essential Skills, Experience, or Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as an Industrial Relations Manager within civil engineering, construction, infrastructure, or energy projects
• Strong understanding of UK industrial relations frameworks, trade union structures, and collective bargaining
• Solid knowledge of UK employment law, labour regulations, and workforce legislation
• Ability to operate in complex, regulated, or unionised environments

Advantageous Skills, Experience, or Qualifications

• Experience with high‑security or regulated infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with NAECI, CIJC, or similar collective agreements
• Experience with workforce mobilisation, onboarding, or TUPE
• Background in alliance or joint‑venture project delivery
• Training in employment relations, mediation, or labour law
• Awareness of IR challenges in long‑term infrastructure programmes

Commute From

Drigg, Seascale, Egremont, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, Gosforth, Workington, St Bees, Nethertown, Holmrook, Ravenglass

Similar Job Titles

Industrial Relations Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Workforce Relations Manager, Labour Relations Manager, HR Manager (IR Focus), Union Liaison Manager, Senior IR Advisor

For further information about this and other positions please apply now. This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of Recruit4staff who are operating as a recruitment agency, agent, agencies, employment agency or employment business.