HR Manager - Employee Relations

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 depending on experience and level

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:

• Competitive Company Incentive Scheme
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Company Bonus: up to 27% depending on level
• 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…
• Healthcare Cash Plan or Private Medical Insurance: Depending on level

Reporting in to the Head of Employee Relations (ER) UK, this role primarily focuses on Industrial Relations and Case Management. The successful individual will join a team of ER specialists and work closely with the ER Manager responsible for the Policy, Procedures and Terms and Conditions.

You will be responsible for:

• Continuing developing and leading a progressive and proactive industrial relations strategy, nurturing our continued partnership with our recognised Trade Unions as well as Employee Forums.
• Overseeing case management within MBDA. Managing ER Advisors and leading the team to continue to develop a data driven approach to identify trends and learnings, enhancing people manager capability.
• Providing HR support to formal ER cases, including those of a complex and sensitive nature.
• Providing specialist advice and guidance to managers and HR colleagues, ensuring legal and ethically sound decisions and resolutions.
• Working with the ER leadership and management team to continue to develop the UK ER Vision and strategy, with the aim of promoting a positive and progressive Employee Relations climate and mitigating business risk.
• Developing with ER Manager (Policy, Procedure and Terms and Conditions) a programme to enhance the skills of People Managers and 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.
• Consulting effectively with key stakeholders, including senior leadership and Trade Union representatives, to ensure that outputs are fit for purpose and will achieve key aims.
• Proposing and recommending logical and well-balanced solutions to complex ER problems ensuring decisions are legally compliant and aligned to HR strategy and business needs.
• Coaching, advising and influencing HR colleagues and people managers ensuring compliance with legislation as well as MBDA policies and procedures.

We are looking for you to come to us with industrial relations and case management experience at a senior level, preferably (but not essential) with experience in working in highly regulated sectors such as Defence, Security and Financial Services. The ideal candidate will be commercial, pragmatic, solution focused and can operate with autonomy, whilst embedding themselves in a collaborative team, who keeps up to date with employment law and can apply knowledge within a business context (i.e. as relevant to MBDA).

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.