AMS PSR

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Employee Relations (ER) Lead (Inside IR35) for a 12 months contract based Hybrid – 3 days in either York Bristol Birmingham Exeter Reading Leeds Nottingham Newcastle Warrington (Travel to London occasionally).

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk .

 The Employee Relations (ER) Synergy Lead will ensure consistent, effective and coordinated trade union consultation and negotiation across the Defra group for all Synergy‑related changes. Acting as the ER strategic link across four bargaining units, the role provides expert ER advice, ensures compliance with framework agreements and statutory requirements, and supports senior leaders in achieving joined‑up and legally compliant outcomes. The postholder will work closely with ER colleagues, Synergy project teams, business leads and trade union representatives to enable smooth, informed and risk‑managed consultation and negotiations.

As a Employee Relations (ER) Lead, your main responsibilities will be:

• Provide expert ER and trade union advice across all four Synergy bargaining units, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Develop and implement the Synergy ER strategy, including negotiation and consultation plans.
• Ensure compliance with trade union framework agreements and statutory consultation obligations.
• Prepare leaders and project teams for trade union meetings, sharing insight and intelligence to maintain a unified approach.
• Create and maintain accurate records, including meeting notes, actions and audit trails for all negotiations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with trade union representatives, ER colleagues, Synergy teams and senior leaders.

Essential:

• Proven experience working with trade unions, including leading complex consultation or negotiation meetings.
• Strong ER expertise, ideally gained in large‑scale or high‑profile organisational change programmes.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment law, particularly legislation relating to trade unions.
• High‑level influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills, with the ability to operate confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment, adapting plans as needed.
• MCIPD, Level 7 HR qualification, or equivalent experience, with strong strategic thinking and political awareness.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".