Industrial Relations and Policy Manager

LOCATION: Hybrid Working

SHIFT PATTERN: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week

SALARY: Competitive

If you require any additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to contact our Recruitment Department at [email protected]. We're here to help!

ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

ABM UK & I is seeking a highly skilled Industrial Relations & HR Policy Manager to lead our industrial relations strategy while overseeing the development, governance, and compliance of HR policies across the organisation.

As a leading provider of facility service solutions in the UK & Ireland, ABM UK & I values safe working environments, strong employee engagement, and robust governance. In this dual‑focus role, you will promote positive and proactive industrial relations, manage union engagement, minimise organisational risk, and ensure our HR policy framework remains legally compliant, up‑to‑date, and aligned with best practice.

You will maintain strong relationships with trade unions and employee representatives, lead collective bargaining processes, and support management through complex employee relations matters. Additionally, you will own the HR policy governance process—drafting, reviewing, updating, and communicating policies; monitoring legislative developments; and ensuring consistent application across the business.

Industrial Relations Responsibilities

- Develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with trade unions and employee representatives.

- Lead collective bargaining and negotiation processes.

- Plan, schedule, and coordinate meetings in line with Collective Bargaining Agreements.

- Provide expert advice to management on industrial relations matters.

- Ensure compliance with labour laws and regulations.

- Manage industrial relations issues, including consultation requirements.

- Support HR and Operational teams.

- Identify emerging industrial relations risks and recommend strategies.

- Partner with Legal Counsel on specialist IR matters.

- Work with Corporate Communications on IR matters.

- Collaborate with Finance, Operations, and Clients.

- Map and report industrial relations risk across the UK portfolio.

- Support organisational change and transformation by advising on industrial relations implications, ensuring a consistent, values-led approach across the business

- Use industrial relations data, trends and insights to identify emerging risks and opportunities, providing clear reporting and forward – looking recommendations to senior leaders.

- Enable and build manager and HR capability in industrial relations through guidance, coaching and practical tools, improving confidence and consistency in approach.

HR Policy Management Responsibilities

- Lead the development, drafting, review, and maintenance of all HR policies and procedures.

- Maintain a clear policy governance framework.

- Monitor changes in UK employment law and update policies.

- Ensure HR policies reflect legal obligations and best practice.

- Consult with senior leaders and stakeholders.

- Provide expert interpretation of HR policies.

- Ensure effective communication of policy changes.

- Deliver policy-related training.

- Identify policy gaps and improvements.

- Support audits and internal reviews.

- Produce guidance materials.

- Ensure consistent policy application.

- Lead the development, drafting and ongoing maintenance of all HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with ABM values, culture and the desired employee experience.

- Lead the harmonisation of HR policies across the UK & Ireland and support policy integration for future acquisitions , where appropriate.

- Consult closely with senior leaders, HR teams and key stakeholders to co-create, implement and embed policies consistently across the organisation

- Simplify and standardise policies where possible to improve accessibility, clarity and manager confidence.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualifications in Human Resources (MCIPD), Labour Relations, or a related field. Have a depth of experience within heavily unionized and collective bargaining environments

• Strong knowledge of labour and industrial laws and regulations – in particular TUPE and TULCRA and policy governance.

• Proven experience in industrial relations or a similar role
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with trade unions and employee representatives
• Very strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Well organised and structure, though flexible when required
• Very robust and resilient but also tenacious as required
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Flexibility to travel or work out of hours as needed

Benefits

We’re proud to offer a great range of benefits including:

• 24/7 GP: Both you and your immediate family can speak to a UK-based GP from the comfort of your own home
• Mental Health support and Life Event Counseling
• Get Fit Programme
• Financial and legal support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access Perks at Work, our innovative employee app where you can find:

• Perks: discounts, gift cards, cashback, and exclusive offers
• Life: Search for resources and tools on topics ranging from family and life to health, money and work
• Support: Online chat or telephone service for urgent support in a crisis

For more information about ABM’s benefits, visit our 

About ABM:

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and efficient, enhancing the overall occupant experience.

ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue-chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM: Driving possibility, together.

For more information, visit .

ABM are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief. We are proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.