Employee Relations Manager: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

The role holder will partner with key designated Clinical Group managers to build exceptional working relationships to deliver a seamless service which nurtures and improves the employee experience. Support the Employee Relations team in providing an expert/specialist people relations advisory service to Trust managers and staff ensuring comprehensive, consistent and timely advice and support. Oversee the development and delivery of a leading, proactive case management service which provides for all employee relations matters to be managed in line with Just Culture principles, enabling employees to contribute their very best to the Trust.

To help to maintain positive and constructive relationships between managers and staff representatives at all levels throughout the Trust and actively encourage engagement with staff and their representatives.

Promote a positive partnership with staffside colleagues which actively supports the wider staff engagement agenda for the Trust. Provide timely and effective interpretation of developing employment law and local and national NHS HR policy and procedures. Devise and ensure the implementation of HR policies and procedures that promotes an inclusive Just Culture. To provide expert information underpinned by analysis of trends, economic circumstances, laws and political factors. Working collaboratively with the wider People Directorate to ensure better integration of the team.

Main duties of the job

• To be the focal point for Clinical Group/Divisional leads on all employee relations matters, providing detailed guidance on the interpretation of Trust policies and procedures and employment legislation
• Oversee and lead all Employment Tribunal claims as first point of contact for Trust legal provider, liaising with Trust managers/representatives with preparation of documents and defend against such claims
• To develop employee relations interventions to underpin the skill and competencies of managers in people management which may include workshops i.e. Just Culture, Investigations, Fixed Term Contracts
• To manage a team, ensuring all team members have a voice in the development of the employee relations service offer
• To maximise the potential of all team members and to ensure that all team members have a meaningful appraisal/personal development plan that includes feedback to the individual from a selection of internal customers and team members
• To support the development and training of managers in key HR matters such as absence management, by delivering shared learning events and day training courses in conjunction with, Organisational Development, Leadership & Talent

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Ability to manage a high caseload and competing demands
• Ability to identify key issues and problems in a situation, generating options likely to lead to successful outcomes
• Knowledge of employment law and legislation changes

Desirable

• Ability to gather, analyse, interpret and present data and information

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing advice and support to managers and staff on a range of complex employee relations matters (including performance, conduct and HR policies)
• Experience of managing employment tribunal claims
• Experience of working in a unionised environment Strong negotiating and influencing skills
• Experience of managing staff

Desirable

• Working in the public sector/NHS

Education and qualifications

Essential

• MCIPD or equivalent

Closing Date: 13 September 2026