Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£52,012 - £62,000 per annum

About the Role
Rail Delivery Group (RDG) partners with Britain’s train operators to put customers at the heart of everything we do, delivering essential services and dedicated experts who keep the nation’s railway running efficiently. From journey information, reservations and Railcards to improving performance, safety and accessibility, we drive the services and people that keep the railway moving. We are integral to the running of the railway and play a crucial part at every stage of the customer journey – making sure we deliver a better railway for all our customers, now and in the future.

As we embark on a new era for rail, we are looking for an Industry HR Business Partner to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Head of People Strategy, you will deliver excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders, foster a culture of collaboration and agility, and act as a facilitator between industry stakeholders as the Great British Railway (GBR) landscape evolves through the HR Directors Forum.

This role will drive alignment of Human Resources and Industrial Relations strategies across the rail sector, ensuring people-related activities directly support the GBR vision for a unified, customer-centric railway.

Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the RDG HR Directors Forum (HRDF) and acting as a strategic partner to HR Directors, providing a high-trust environment to challenge traditional thinking and drive consensus on cross-industry initiatives.
- Leading and facilitating cross-industry initiatives that align HR and IR practices with GBR’s goals, focusing on collaboration, modernisation and efficiency (e.g., GBR Communities of Practice).
- Partnering with the People Strategy team to drive engagement across the People Strategy remit, championing sector-wide initiatives such as the Traincrew Programme and Lowering of Minimum Age.
- Horizon scanning and monitoring emerging HR/IR trends, national initiatives, and legislative changes (e.g., Employment Rights Bill), translating these into actionable insights.
- Importing best-in-class HR strategies from external sectors to support GBR introduction and improve customer experience.
- Acting as a subject matter expert on Industrial Relations, facilitating information exchange regarding pay negotiations and IR matters to create a unified industry position.
- Supporting operational HR activities to ensure compliance with RDG and member stakeholder needs.
- Using data collection and reporting to manage HRDF activities, providing clear narratives on industry progress aligned with strategic goals.
- Benchmarking against external industries to share best practice interventions.
- Partnering with the Head of People Strategy to manage budget guidelines and financial undertakings.
- Supporting the People Strategy team to deliver excellent customer/member satisfaction and value for money.
- Providing line management to a dedicated People Strategy Project Manager to support the rail sector’s transition towards Great British Railway.

Key contacts include RDG internal stakeholders, RDG members at all levels (TOCs, FOCs, Open Access Operators, Member Engagement Bodies), and external bodies such as solicitors and government departments (e.g., DfT, Department of Business & Trade).

Experience
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent senior-level experience in a complex, unionised, or highly regulated environment.
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and navigate groups with disparate views toward a common goal.
- Deep understanding of the UK labour market, employment law, and collective bargaining machinery within rail.
- Proficient in MS Office programs including Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, and Excel.
- Experience working at a senior level with strong communication, engagement, and interpersonal skills.
- Strategic thinker with a practical approach to opportunities and challenges.
- Knowledge of emerging trends, literature, and practices in talent and performance management.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to review information from talent assessments.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including producing high-level reports, briefings, and digital content.
- Strong project management and administrative skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion.

About you
You are a motivated and strategic HR professional who thrives in a collaborative environment. You have excellent influencing skills and can build consensus across diverse stakeholders. You are proactive in horizon scanning and bringing innovative HR solutions to complex challenges. You demonstrate strong leadership and can manage projects and teams effectively while maintaining a high level of professionalism and discretion.

Qualifications
CIPD Level 7 or equivalent senior-level HR qualification or experience is essential.