Head of People Management & Support

JOB INFORMATION

Location: National Office, London (currently home-based)

Position: Head of People Management and Support

Contract: Unspecified hours, Permanent

Deadline to apply: 5.00pm on 31^st October 2021

Salary: Grade 10 (starting salary £67,829)

Section/Team: Human Resources

JOB DESCRIPTION

GMB is a large trade union that organises across the UK and Ireland: we’re proud to represent over 500,000 members from across the professional spectrum.

We are currently seeking a Head of People Management and Support to join our national team based at GMB's head office in London, however there is flexibility on where the successful post-holder can be based. This is a senior post within the union, and the postholder will be a member of the union’s Senior Management Team.

This is a great opportunity to shape the new direction of the department and help shape the future of the union.  We are seeking a knowledgeable, driven and committed individual to provide a professional people management service for the whole of GMB that will meet the operating needs of the Union’s management and staff.

Reporting to the General Secretary, this is a strategic and dynamic role linked to the implementation and delivery of core objectives and initiatives across the organisation, geared towards cultural change with an emphasis on growing the union around a strategy of “making work better”.

The role will lead on developing and implementing the union’s workforce strategy and action plans for a variety of employment matters linked to the continuous improvement of the delivery of people-centred services including: organisation design, continuous improvement of our structures and policies, people and performance management, complex employee and industrial relations and a comprehensive programme of employment training/ learning and development. 

It’s our people and culture that define us, and the successful post-holder will help lead GMB through a period of cultural change that will ensure we are a workplace fit for a modern workforce.

Other key responsibilities for the role will include:

• To structure and manage the Union’s People management training and related functions and make sure these functions are adequately resourced and support the aims and objectives of the organisation.
• Protecting the Union against litigation by providing specialist knowledge and advice on legal proceedings against the union and to define a strategic defence, recommending or approving settlement of disputes where warranted on the Union’s behalf.
• Assume ultimate responsibility with General Secretary and Senior Management Team for ensuring that the Union conducts its business in compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations in our various jurisdictions (e.g., England & Wales; Scotland).
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, responsible for contributing to broader strategy across the whole of the organisation, in line with Union initiatives.
• To work closely with the General Secretary advising on all people matters, including as required, on current and potential future organisation design as the needs and focus of the Union evolve and change.
• Develop, implement and continuously review HR policies and procedures that will be progressive and appropriate to the needs of the Union, acting as key custodian to these.

You’ll need to possess:

• A degree in HR, psychology, or a related discipline, together with the CIPD level 7 Advanced Diploma or equivalent, with at least 10 years generalist and ER experience preferred
• A proven track record of thorough and in-depth knowledge of industrial relations, employment law and practical experience of negotiating and consulting with employee representatives and external union officials
• Demonstrable experience of financial planning and budgetary management
• A proven record of successfully handling negotiating and consultative meetings and drafting jointly agreed agreements
• Proven experience of drafting HR policies and procedures and their dissemination, as this will be a key part o the role
• Demonstrable experience of successfully supporting a change management process and assisting management to achieve a cultural change process.

This is a varied and challenging role; if you think you may be who we're looking for and if you feel you meet the criteria outlined in the job description, we’d like to hear from you.

Information about the role

•   The successful post-holder will be expected to attend regional or national meetings/events, but currently will be working from home.

•   The hours of work for this post are designated as ‘unspecified’, and there will therefore be a requirement to work unsocial hours, including some weekend or evening work, when required by the role.

•   Interviews will be held in the week commencing 1^st November in London. Date tbc.