Engagement Specialist
Location: Midlands / London / South (Hybrid working)
Travel: Occasional – typically 1–2 days per month in Canary Wharf
Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits
My client is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Engagement Specialist to lead and evolve their colleague engagement agenda at a pivotal point in their organisational journey.
This is a senior, strategically important role for someone who understands that engagement is not a standalone initiative—but a critical driver of performance, culture, retention and organisational success.
The Opportunity
Reporting into the senior People leadership team, you will shape and deliver a forward-thinking colleague engagement strategy that reflects the organisation’s ambitions and supports a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
You’ll take ownership of how the organisation listens to, understands and responds to its people—translating insight into meaningful action that strengthens engagement and improves colleague experience at scale.
At the same time, you will lead the strategic management of the National Partnership Forum, building effective, trust-based relationships with recognised trade unions and ensuring a constructive approach to industrial relations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of the organisation-wide colleague engagement strategy, aligning closely with broader business and People objectives
- Design and deliver impactful engagement initiatives across culture, inclusion, wellbeing, recognition and retention
- Own the colleague listening strategy, ensuring insight is effectively gathered, interpreted and translated into tangible improvements
- Provide expert counsel to senior leaders on engagement, consultation, trade union relationships and industrial relations risk
- Build and sustain strong, constructive partnerships with trade unions, supporting early resolution and positive outcomes
- Oversee the governance and operation of engagement frameworks, including the National Partnership Forum
- Analyse workforce data and feedback to identify trends, risks and opportunities to strengthen the colleague relations climate
- Collaborate closely with People, Legal, Communications and operational leaders to ensure a consistent, aligned approach
- Develop robust KPIs and reporting frameworks to measure engagement, culture and organisational impact
- Stay abreast of employment and trade union legislation, translating this into clear, practical guidance
About You
You will bring a depth of experience leading engagement, culture or colleague experience initiatives within a large, complex and unionised environment.
Alongside this, you will demonstrate:
- A track record of shaping and delivering organisation-wide engagement strategies
- Strong credibility operating at senior level, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively
- Experience managing trade union relationships and collective consultation with confidence and professionalism
- A highly analytical approach—comfortable using data and insight to inform decisions and drive impact
- The ability to navigate complexity, balance competing priorities and maintain focus on long-term outcomes
- A collaborative, relationship-driven style, with the resilience to operate in a changing environment
A relevant degree or equivalent experience is expected. CIPD Chartered status (Level 7) is desirable.
Why this role?
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a strategic engagement agenda where your work will directly influence organisational culture, performance and colleague experience.
With a flexible location across the Midlands, London and the South—and only light, purposeful travel into Canary Wharf—you’ll have the autonomy to operate at a strategic level while remaining well connected to key stakeholders.
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