Assistant Director – HR Policy, Industrial Relations and Reward & Benefits

An iconic public sector organisation is currently recruiting for an Assistant Director – HR Policy, Industrial Relations and Reward & Benefits on an interim basis for 3 - 6 months.This is a senior, high‑profile role based in Central London and will offer hybrid working with 3 days on site per week.

The role will be offered inside IR35 ranging between £700 - £800 per day umbrella.The role aim is to provide strategic leadership across pay, reward, HR policy and industrial relations within a large, complex and unionised environment.

The ideal candidate will be offering significant influence over organisation‑wide people strategy, reward frameworks and employee relations, while leading and developing high‑performing specialist teams.About the RoleThis is a pivotal, high‑impact leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering strategic initiatives across Reward & Benefits, HR Policy and Industrial Relations.Reporting to the People Director, Specialist Services, you will provide expert oversight and direction across pay, reward, policy and workforce engagement, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, equality objectives and the People Strategy.

You will lead senior heads of service and their wider teams, delivering transformation, strengthening governance and modernising how the organisation operates as an employer.The role works closely with senior leaders, committees, Trade Unions and stakeholders across the organisation to deliver innovative, legally compliant and inclusive solutions that enhance the employer brand and support long‑term sustainability.This role will be responsible for:Providing strategic leadership across Reward & Benefits, HR Policy and Industrial Relations, ensuring coherence and alignment with corporate and people strategiesSetting direction for reward, recognition and benefits strategies, including annual pay reviews, senior remuneration and market benchmarkingOverseeing trade union negotiations relating to pay, terms and conditions, and workforce changeLeading the continued modernisation of HR policies, ensuring legal compliance, organisational alignment and a strong employee value propositionLeading all formal engagement and consultation with recognised Trade Unions and senior employee representatives across pay, policy and organisational changeDriving improvements in industrial relations, building strong, collaborative and trust‑based relationshipsProviding expert advice to the HR Senior Team, senior leaders and committees on reward, policy and industrial relations mattersLeading communications on pay, reward and policy, working closely with Communications and Engagement teamsEnsuring Equality Impact Assessments are undertaken and embedded across all pay, reward and policy activityLine managing senior leaders and specialist teams across Reward & Benefits and Policy & Industrial Relations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and inclusive leadershipSupporting transformation and process improvement across pay, reward and policy, making effective use of digital and AI‑enabled toolsProducing high‑quality reports, proposals and recommendations that influence senior decision‑makingThey are seeking an experienced senior HR leader with:Significant experience operating at a senior level within a large, complex and unionised organisation, ideally within the public sector or a similarly regulated environmentStrong expertise across reward and benefits, HR policy and industrial relationsProven experience leading trade union engagement, negotiation and consultation on pay and workforce changeA strong understanding of employment legislation, governance and equality requirementsDemonstrable ability to influence, challenge and advise senior leaders and committeesExperience leading, developing and coaching senior leaders and multi‑disciplinary specialist teamsA strategic, solutions‑focused mindset with the ability to operate effectively at paceStrong communication skills, with experience presenting to senior forums and governance bodiesIf you are an experienced HR leader looking to shape reward, policy and industrial relations at scale and play a key role in strengthening the organisation’s employer proposition, apply now and we’ll be in touch.