Sizewell C. The power of good for Britain.

Location: Site based role in Suffolk, on the Sizewell C project

Employment type: Permanent full-time

Salary: c£75k  dependent on experience, plus bonus and other benefits. 

Closing date: 21st January 2025

The Opportunity  

Are you looking for a career which is rewarding, at the cutting edge of project development and where you can really make a difference?

Come and join our expanding Sizewell C (SZC) team and work on one of the most exciting and largest megaprojects in the UK, whilst being at the forefront of the UK’s climate change agenda and energy policy.

Following on from the success of Hinkley Point C (HPC), the SZC Project is a nuclear new build project in Suffolk, which has obtained planning approval and Government financing support.

The project has started construction and is now seeking private investment. When completed, it will provide dependable electricity to 6 million homes for 60 years, which along with renewables, will support Britain to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Industrial Relations Manager  to join our team at the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. As the successful candidate will play a crucial role in fostering strong industrial relations, ensuring smooth operations, and maintaining a positive work environment at this large-scale, high-profile site.  

You’ll deliver clear oversight of the application of all IR activities to ensure they are carried out in conjunction and in accordance with the Sizewell C (SZC) Agreements, protocols, strategy, and processes as determined and agreed by the tripartite stakeholders of the Unions, Contractors and SZC.

The Role

As Industrial Relations Manager you will foster effective working relationships between Contractors and Trade Unions, on behalf of the EAU, Supply Chain providers and other relevant stakeholders to deliver a consistent and co-ordinated approach in addition to;

Ensure effective oversight of the application of the Transitional Arrangements and Minimum Standards (TAMS) prior to the full implementation of the SZC collective agreements.

Manage and oversee the operationalisation and governance of the “Silver Book” which will provide those working on the SZC project an operating manual housing key documentation, policies and agreements.

Ensuring effective collaboration between contractor IR Managers to mitigate potential industrial action including overall responsibility for the governance arrangements for contractors IR working arrangements.

Facilitate contractor activities and provide expert and pragmatic advice to effectively implement IR issues contained within the agreements.

Manage and oversee the mobilisation and maintenance of the SZC employment governance framework within the tripartite system e.g. Transitional Arrangements Committee, Site Joint Council, Local Joint Committees, to enable IR issues to be resolved in an effective and timely manner.

To encourage, lead and help facilitate working IR relationships at operational levels between, managers, Supervisors and TU Reps, with a particular focus on early issue resolution. 

Work collaboratively with EAU colleagues to design and implement SZC IR training to ensure the competence and knowledge of the SZC agreements and their effective and collaborative application.

To establish and manage day to day relationships with the local, regional and national trade unions signatory to the SZC agreements.

To support the SZC Site Leadership in maintaining harmonious relationships with the SZC tier 1 contractors and signatory trade unions. 

The Skills

Up to date knowledge of trade union constitution arrangements, employment law and general HR/IR practice and procedures.

The post holder will be required to have IR Construction experience and have the gravitas to influence senior stakeholders in the area of industrial relations.

Excellent knowledge of the construction industry from a Civil or Engineering perspective. 

Experience in dealing with IR situations, operating across functional boundaries.

Strong negotiation capabilities.

Will have demonstrable experience in generalist HR Activity and be able to demonstrate up to date knowledge of employment law.

Considerable experience of negotiations on pay, working conditions and working arrangements. 

Proven track record with regard to negotiations/disputes and collective grievances at all levels.

Experience of working with a transient workforce and the challenges that arise from this.

Previous experience of handling large scale change programmes.

Resolution of individual/collective disputes.

Trade union recognition and experience of WRA’s (Working Rule Agreements).  

Ideally CIPD qualified or similarly by experience.

If the above sounds like you, then we’d love to hear from you! (A full job description is available on application.)

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Power in Diversity

Sizewell C is a great place to work, where everyone is welcome.

To fulfil our commitment of doing the power of good for Britain, our ambition is to have a workforce which reflects and benefits the society we are part of and serve.  Every worker on SZC, wherever they are, should help to create and experience the right environment where everyone on the team understands, respects and embraces diversity with a culture where everyone is treated with equal respect and are all given equal access to opportunities.  By valuing the different points of view and experiences that having a diverse team brings, and by fostering an inclusive climate, we will create a great place to work and a more successful project. 

We create the right environment where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work. Whilst working together there is mutual trust and appreciation created through the building of meaningful relationships with one another, aligned with our key values:

Respect: Value the rules and environment in which we operate
Positivity: Positively challenge poor quality and performance
Humility: Be open to other’s points of view and ideas, be willing to debate and to compromise
Solidarity: One team, working closely together and helping each other
Clarity: Communicate clearly and consistently

Everyone is able to get the most from their work and the workplace, and in return, give their best.

Competitive Salary and Benefits

We’re dedicated to offering flexible benefits that support our people across all aspects of their lives and we’re delighted to offer a range of benefits to support our employees’ physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. 

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a market-leading company pension scheme, paid holidays and a range of flexible benefits, such as: a company incentive bonus plan, health cover, cycle to work scheme, discounts and employee pricing.

Please let us know if you’d like to discuss flexible working arrangements by highlighting this on your application.

Sizewell C Limited (Sizewell C) is nuclear site licensed company whose business is to design, finance, construct, commission, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the nuclear power plant and related infrastructure at Sizewell C in Suffolk.  Sizewell C was formerly under the majority ownership of the EDF Group but is currently majority owned by HM Government and operates as an independent company. EDF remains a key shareholder in Sizewell C and the business therefore maintains close links to EDF as a part of its ‘nuclear family’.

 As a Sizewell C employee, you may wonder why you are contacted by colleagues with an EDF email, or see the EDF logo on portals that you access and/or documentation you receive; this is because we have partnered with EDF for the provision of a number of support services whilst we complete a successful transition out of the EDF group.