The City of London Corporation is seeking an accomplished and strategic HR leader to join us as Assistant Director - HR Policy, Industrial Relations and Reward & Benefits. This is a pivotal 12-month opportunity to shape and deliver high-impact people strategies across one of the UK’s most distinctive and influential public sector organisations.
Reporting to the People Director, Specialist Services, you will provide senior leadership across Reward and Benefits, HR Policy and Industrial Relations, with responsibility for two Heads of Service and their specialist teams. You will play a central role in transforming how we operate, ensuring our reward frameworks, policies and employee relations approach are future-ready, inclusive and aligned to our corporate vision.
12-month contract | Hybrid working | Guildhall, City of London
Pay rate: £608.35 per day (PAYE) or £800 per day (Umbrella)
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership and influence
*Provide expert advice to senior leaders, Members and committees on pay, reward, HR policy and industrial relations matters.
*Lead complex, organisation-wide programmes of change relating to reward, policy and employee relations.
*Shape and deliver long-term reward and HR policy strategies that support corporate priorities and strengthen the employer brand.
*Act as a core member of the HR Extended Leadership Team, influencing at the highest level across the organisation.
*Lead organisational communications on pay, policy and reward in collaboration with Communications and Engagement colleagues.
*Oversee Equality Impact Assessments for relevant projects, ensuring fairness, accessibility and inclusion across all activity.
Reward and Benefits
*Set the strategic direction for Reward and Benefits in partnership with the Head of Reward and Benefits.
*Lead annual pay reviews, terms and conditions reviews, and trade union negotiations relating to pay and reward.
*Develop and oversee senior remuneration strategy, including benchmarking and alignment with best practice.
*Drive continuous improvement in reward processes, allowances and recognition schemes across the Corporation.
*Lead major pay-related projects impacting multiple services and Institutions.
*Ensure reward strategy aligns with performance management, talent and wider people strategies.
HR Policy and Industrial Relations
*Lead a forward-thinking HR Policy and Industrial Relations function, modernising policies to support a strong Employee Value Proposition.
*Ensure policies are legally compliant, operationally effective and aligned with organisational objectives.
*Lead consultation and engagement with recognised trade unions on policy and organisational change.
*Build and sustain strong, collaborative relationships with trade unions and senior employee representatives.
*Drive ongoing improvements in industrial relations, promoting constructive, two-way engagement.
*Work closely with HR Business Partners, Employee Relations and Learning and Development teams to ensure effective implementation of policy.
Candidates with the relevant experience and expertise are invited to apply for immediate consideration.