Head of Colleague Relations

Head of Colleague Relations 

• UK wide
• £47,560 per annum (pro rata for part time hours)
• Ref: SUS4152b
• Full Time 37.5 hours per week – happy to talk flexible working
• Base: Anywhere in the UK, can be based at home or hybrid from one of our Hubs

About the role

A new and exciting opportunity to work as a fundamental part of the People Team, supporting
colleagues through their time with Sustrans.

The purpose of the role is to strengthen our colleagues’ voice, building the organisation’s
capability to positively manage colleague relations, supporting Sustrans in building
colleagues’ trust and engagement and leading colleague relations to ensure we are a charity for
everyone.

The role will develop and implement a colleague relations strategy that aligns with Sustrans’
goals, values, and legal requirements.

As the Head of Colleague Relations, you will be instrumental in maximising the colleague
experience. You will line manage a team of three People Advisors to provide coaching and expert
advice to line managers on policies, legal requirements, processes and best practice.

You will work closely with the wider Human Resources teams, legal counsel and senior management
to address complex employee relation issues and provide expert advice and recommendations 

You will help lead Sustrans in developing a positive relationship and ways of working with our
newly recognised union and reconstituted colleague forum, helping lead negotiations and being a
key contact in this exciting new relationship.

You will support organisational change, develop and implement initiatives to enhance employee
engagement, satisfaction, and retention and ensure our policies are modern, valued and
inclusive. 

This role does not involve regular travel. We may occasionally need you travel during your work
including occasional overnight stays. 

About you 

You should have experience of leading a colleague relations team in managing complex case work,
as well as change management and supporting organisations through change. 

You will need experience of working in a unionised environment, and of building relationships
and managing negotiations in line with a recognition agreement. 

You will need a good understanding of colleague engagement and practices and experience of
developing people policies and procedures. 

You will be educated to CIPD level 5 and be passionate about progressing the EDI agenda. 

Sustrans has a long-term commitment to being a charity for everyone – reducing inequality,
valuing diversity, enabling inclusion and ensuring all people are treated with dignity and
respect. We aim to be a truly inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all
parts of the community, in particular from under-represented groups.

What we offer 

In return we can offer true hybrid working to suit individual circumstances and a flexible,
supportive and rewarding working environment.

Wellbeing 

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time working
• Ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Staff volunteer days
• 24/7 free, impartial and confidential support service
• We are members of the Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme who both offer cycle to work
  schemes

Financial 

• Group Personal Pension scheme with a 5% or 6% of basic salary contribution being matched by
  Sustrans
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans
• Discount benefits
• London Weighting Allowance of £4,195 for all those living within a London Borough (32 local
  authority districts plus the City of London)
• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary

Family Friendly 

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday – Friday)

Additional information 

Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 23:59, 03 March
2024.

Interviews will take place via MS Teams during the week commencing 15 March 2024 

To apply, please complete our online application form. More details of our vacancies can be
found on our website. 

About Sustrans 

At Sustrans you’ll be part of a movement to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

We’re all here to change things! You’ll be part of an incredible community of talented,
passionate, creative, problem solvers all working together to change things for the better. We
act locally and think big – we have a vision of a society where the way we travel creates
healthier places and happier lives for everyone. 

You’ll be questioning the status quo and daring to imagine a different world. You’ll work on
exciting, impactful projects that will stretch and empower you and you’ll be rewarded by seeing
the difference you make to people, communities and the planet.

 We believe including everyone is central to who we are and what we want to achieve, we welcome
difference and pride ourselves on creating a culture where you can be yourself and where your
wellness is supported.

You’ll be guaranteed to make friends for life and work with a team that is incredibly flexible,
supportive, ethical and fun.