HR Manager - Employee Relations

The Engineer; Stevenage; Hybrid; Confidential

Job description

Stevenage

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

Salary: Circa £75,000 to £85,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 27% of base salary
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and drive the development and execution of a vision and strategy for Employee Relations (ER) resources that align with business and HR strategy and objectives, consulting with key stakeholders as appropriate.
• Focus on upskilling People Managers and strengthening the UK HR team's expertise in employee relations matters.
• Evolve and implement a suite of legally compliant Terms and Conditions of Employment that help to attract and retain skills and talent to deliver on our business commitments.
• Work with the ER leadership and management team to develop and implement the UK ER Vision and strategy, with the aim of promoting a positive and progressive Employee Relations climate and mitigating business risk.
• Develop and implement progressive employment procedures/policies, guidance and toolkits ensuring legislative compliance and alignment to MBDA strategy and culture.
• Review and evolve employment contracts as the business grows and needs change.
• Develop a programme to upskill People Managers and enhance the skillset of the wider HR community on ER related topics, mitigating risk to the business and enhancing the skill-set of the two communities, ultimately improving engagement across the business.
• Ensure that ER resources are consistent, up to date, and in line with best practice, ER principles and the Company culture.
• Consult effectively with key stakeholders, including senior leadership and Trade Union representatives, to ensure that outputs are fit for purpose and will achieve key aims.
• Propose and recommend logical and well balanced solutions to complex ER problems ensuring decisions are legally compliant and aligned to HR strategy and business needs.
• Coach, advise and influence HR colleagues and people managers ensuring compliance with legislation as well as MBDA policies and procedures.
• Keep up to date with employment law and apply knowledge within a business context (i.e. as relevant to MBDA).
• Represent the Employee Relations team internally and externally.
• Engage, collaborate and partner with colleagues in other HR teams to ensure a joined up approach on deliverables.
• Effectively project manage packages of work.
• Build and foster a network of relationships across the business at all levels including senior management, Trade Union representatives and within the wider HR community.
• Maintain effective relationships within external network including the shareholder community (BAE Systems, Airbus and Leonardo) as well as within the wider defence and engineering community.
• Conduct benchmarking as required, in collaboration with HR colleagues (e.g. Rem & Ben).
• Manage, motivate and develop a team of HR Advisors (2-3 direct reports).
• Mentor other colleagues as required and appropriate.
• Provide HR support to formal ER cases as required, e.g. Disciplinary, Grievance & Dignity and Respect at Work providing specialist advice and guidance to managers ensuring legal and ethically sound decisions and resolutions.

Essential Experience (in a complex environment):

• Leading and delivering substantial ER work packages/projects
• Developing and implementing ER Policies & Procedures
• Effective collaborative stakeholder management
• Experience of developing/evolving Terms and Conditions of employment

Desirable Experience:

• Experience of upskilling people managers and/or HR colleagues
• Experience of consulting and negotiating with Trade Union representatives
• Understanding of Workday

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.