Industrial Relations Lead

Salary: Competitive Salary & Benefits
Grade: 3A
Reporting Line: Head of People
Contract Type: 18 Months Fixed Term Contract
Working pattern: Hybrid
Location: London
Closing Date:27th July 2026

As our Industrial Relations Lead you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering Post Offices industrial relations strategy at a time of significant organisational transformation. Reporting to the Head of People you will be a trusted advisor to senior leaders and a key member of the People Leadership Team.

You will lead the development and execution of a proactive industrial relations agenda ensuring effective constructive and collaborative engagement with recognised trade unions. Working at both strategic and operational levels you will provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters collective bargaining consultation activity and dispute resolution balancing business priorities with the development of strong and sustainable union relationships.

This is a high-profile role offering the opportunity to influence organisational outcomes support major change programmes and help create a positive colleague experience across the business.

Our business is changing and we understand that attracting the right talent is pivotal in driving the positive change needed to help us achieve our ambitious goals. Beyond a competitive salary we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 27.5 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 2 years) plus bank holidays
• Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity
• Annual car allowance
• Generous pension scheme with minimum 9% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 digital GP services and our Employee Assistance Programme
• 6 x Life assurance and income protection after 12 months service
• Over 400 online courses mentoring apprenticeships and development programmes
• Access to our benefits platform for exclusive discounts & savings

Click here for a detailed overview of our benefits

Experience and Qualifications

Were looking for an experienced Industrial Relations professional who can operate confidently in a complex highly regulated and unionised environment.

You will bring:

• Significant industrial relations leadership experience within a large complex and unionised organisation.
• A proven track record of leading successful trade union negotiations collective bargaining arrangements and consultation processes.
• Extensive experience advising senior leaders on complex industrial and employee relations matters.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law industrial relations frameworks and dispute resolution practices.
• Demonstrable experience supporting major business transformation restructuring or organisational change programmes.
• Experience building effective partnerships across multiple stakeholder groups and functions.
• A track record of delivering strategic projects and achieving measurable business outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data and insight into practical solutions and informed decision-making.

Skills and Capabilities

You will be:

• A credible and trusted industrial relations expert who can influence at all levels of the organisation.
• An exceptional relationship builder capable of creating trust and credibility with trade unions senior leaders and colleagues alike.
• A skilled negotiator with strong judgement and the ability to balance competing priorities.
• An influential communicator able to adapt your approach to deliver messages with clarity impact and confidence.
• A strategic thinker who combines commercial awareness with a pragmatic solutions-focused mindset.
• Comfortable navigating complexity ambiguity and organisational change.
• Resilient and calm under pressure with the ability to manage challenging situations constructively.
• Passionate about colleague engagement and creating positive workplace relationships.
• Committed to upholding the values principles and behaviours of Post Office.

At Post Office Ltd were proud to be at the heart of communities across the UK upheld by the dedication and service of our postmasters. We offer essential services that people rely on every day from parcels and banking to identity and government services. While we continue to evolve with digital innovation our commitment to personal face-to-face service remains core to who we are.

Our journey is one of reflection growth and meaningful change. Were looking for people who think differently. Those with resilience purpose and a deep sense of responsibility to our postmasters partners and the communities they serve. If youre driven by the chance to make a real impact and help shape a future built on progress and integrity wed love to hearfrom you. For more details visit

Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. While weve outlined key skills above we recognise that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

As a Disability Confident Employer we recognise the value people with disabilities can bring to our business. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process or would like further details on the job description please contact

Were thrilled by your interest in this opportunity and truly value every application we receive. Please note the advert may close early if we receive a high volume of applications. Unfortunately were unable to provide individual feedback on all submissions.