Director of Industrial Relations & Employee Relations

Summary

Director of Employee & Industrial Relations 
Permanent 
Hybrid (Manchester / UK Airports) 

Why MAG?

At MAG, we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK-owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers each year across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate. 

Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We’re committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities through decarbonisation, education, skills development and volunteering initiatives. 

At MAG, we recognise that creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues. 

You’ll also have access to some great benefits including: 

Bonus scheme 

10% company contribution pension 

Car allowance 

Private medical scheme 

25 days holiday plus bank holidays 

Free onsite parking 

Subsidised public transport 

Huge range of company discounts 

2 volunteering days per year 

Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

Care Concierge service 

The role

We’re looking for a Director of Employee & Industrial Relations to join our People Leadership Team at Manchester Airport Group, reporting to the Chief People Officer. 

This is a critical leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering a progressive, Group-wide Employee and Industrial Relations strategy, supporting a high-performing, engaged and well-managed workplace environment. 

You will guide the organisation’s approach to industrial relations, trade union engagement and employee relations case management, balancing commercial priorities with colleague experience and legal considerations. 

Operating at executive level, you’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and the ExCo, providing expert guidance across complex ER/IR matters, change programmes and risk-aware decision making. 

You’ll also play a key role in developing a modern, centralised ER operating model, supporting consistency, insight-led decision making and continuous improvement across the Group. 

Key responsibilities include: 

Shaping and delivering MAG’s ER/IR strategy, frameworks and operating principles aligned to business priorities 

Building effective trade union relationships and engagement approaches, supporting collaborative and constructive partnerships 

Leading the annual pay negotiation governance approach, including preparation, and delivery, providing guidance on strategy and tactics. 

Providing expert guidance on collective and individual ER matters, supporting balanced and well-informed outcomes 

Developing and leading a centralised ER case management function, enhancing consistency, efficiency and colleague experience 

Overseeing the development of MyER case system, using data and insights to inform strategic decision-making 

Guiding the development and governance of MAG people policies (Tier 1 & 2), ensuring legal compliance and best practice 

Supporting the development of IR/ER capability across the organisation, in partnership with L&D and People teams 

Acting as a senior escalation point for complex, sensitive and high-risk cases 

Leading on Modern Slavery strategy and compliance, including governance, reporting and external partnerships 

What will make you successful in the role?

We’re looking for an experienced ER/IR leader who combines strong subject matter expertise with sound commercial awareness and the ability to influence at senior levels. 

You’ll bring experience of delivering ER transformation in complex, unionised environments, alongside the ability to work across both strategic and operational contexts. 

You’ll be comfortable influencing at Board and ExCo level, building effective relationships with trade unions and senior stakeholders, and supporting teams through change. 

Experience and knowledge required: 

Significant experience as an Employee & Industrial Relations specialist across both strategic and operational delivery 

Extensive experience of working with trade unions and supporting negotiations 

Proven ability to shape and deliver ER/IR strategies aligned to organisational goals 

Strong knowledge of employment law, policy and best practice ER frameworks 

Experience supporting complex change programmes and transformation initiatives 

Ability to influence senior stakeholders and contribute to decision-making 

Experience developing and leading teams or specialist functions 

Strong analytical skills, with experience using data and insight to inform decisions 

Desirable experience: 

Experience operating in a multi-site, operational or unionised environment 

Experience supporting or working within centralised ER service models 

Exposure to aviation, transport or other highly regulated sectors