Assistant Director- HR Policy, Industrial Relations, Reward and Benefits

Assistant Director - HR Policy, Industrial Relations and Reward and Benefits
12-18 month Fixed Term Contract
£80,000- £90,000
Hybrid- 3 days in the office in central London (near Moorgate and Mansion House)

Reporting to People Director, Specialist Services
2 Direct reports: Head of Reward and Benefits and Head of Policy and Industrial Relations

The Assistant Director - HR Policy, Industrial Relations and Reward and Benefits is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving strategic initiatives across Reward & Benefits, HR Policy, and Industrial Relations. The position provides high-level oversight and expert guidance to ensure the Corporation's pay structures, policies, and workforce projects align with corporate objectives, foster a culture of excellence, and promote equality and inclusivity.
The role holder will also:

• Work with the Director, Specialist Services to develop a long term strategy to transform and streamline how we operate and to ensure we are set up to provide future ready solutions that strengthen our employer brand
• Provide expert advice on all pay, policy, reward, and industrial relations matters to the HR Senior Team and relevant committees.
• Work close with key stakeholders across the Corporation and Institutions to find innovative solutions to complex reward and policy challenges to ensure that business needs can be met within the remit of the City of London Corporations core vision and strategy, while ensuring compliance with changing legislation and governance.
• Manage communications on pay, policy, and reward, collaborating with the Communications and Engagement team to set a clear organisational engagement strategy.
• Lead on Equalities Impact Assessments for team related projects and proposals, updating and reviewing regularly to ensure all pay, policy, and reward activities are accessible, equitable, and inclusive.
• Lead the team, building team cohesion and engagement and driving a culture of continuous improvement, drawing on digital and AI tools as appropriate and role modelling inclusive leadership

Reward and Benefits

• Set the direction for the development and implementation of Reward & Benefits strategies in partnership with the Head of Reward & Benefits.
• Oversee annual pay reviews, terms and conditions, and trade union negotiations related to pay and reward.
• Develop the strategy for senior remuneration, and benchmarking best practices,
• Strategically manage pay, reward, recognition, and benefits to support the People Strategy, broader corporate goals and to enhance the employer brand.
• Work with the team to streamline processes and allowances for continuous improvement.
• Drive the implementation of specific pay-related projects across the full breadth of the Corporation
• Work with the AD for L&OD to ensure reward strategies link to wider strategies such as performance and talent management

HR Policy

• Lead a forward-thinking HR Policy and Industrial Relations Team committed to shaping and delivering transformative HR policies that strengthen our Employee Value Proposition.
• Champion the ongoing transformation and modernisation of HR policies, ensuring they not only align with organisational objectives and legal requirements but also support the organisation's ambition to be an employer of choice.
• Work with the AD for L&OD to ensure appropriate links into training and development requirements ensuring strategic links are in place
• Work with HRBPs and Employee Relations teams to ensure effective operationalisation of policies and procedures.
• Lead all engagement and consultation with Trade Union colleagues as required for policy transformation

Industrial Relations

• Lead meetings and negotiations with recognized trade unions and senior staff representatives, ensuring regular engagement and escalation of issues as needed.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including trade unions And senior employee representatives.
• Drive continued improvements in the relationship with Trade Unions, building a strong, two-way, collaborative relationship.

Leadership Expectations

• Provide line management, coaching, and professional development for the Pay and Reward Team, and Policy and Industrial Relations Teams.
• Role model behaviors in line with organisational values, sharing best practices and mentoring others to achieve high standards.
• Support and enable HR staff to work to the highest professional standards, encouraging continuous professional development.
• Actively support and implement Occupational Health & Safety and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity policies.
• Act as a core member of the HR Extended Leadership Team, leading corporate messages, collaborating across team boundaries and shaping work across the function

Strategic Focus and Breadth of Influence

• Develop and lead a forward-thinking team, transforming the way we operate, deliver and engage.
• Provide strategic oversight for the development and delivery of pay, policy, reward, recognition, and benefits strategies impacting all parts of the City of London.
• Drive proactive horizon scanning to build collective understanding of evolving practice; good practice and mitigating the impacts of legislative changes to support the organisations effectiveness.
• Contribute to HR business planning
• Support colleagues across the Corporation
• Ensure rigorous pay controls and effective information systems for senior staff, supporting the organization's annual reporting and compliance needs.
• Influence senior leaders and members by producing high-standard reports, proposals, and recommendations that shape HR policy, reward, and industrial relations.

Candidates must have:

• Reward experitse
• Policy and Trade Union background
• Must be available on no more than a one month notice period
• Someone able to be pro-active and operational and strategic- hands on to do work, get involved. Write papers, re-write papers.
• Pro-active
• Good at engaging with teams and dealing with potentially challenging dynamics.
• Teams can do with collaboration and being bought together.
• Unions: GMB and Union
• Civil Service or Local government sector experience is highly beneficial