Head of Employee Relations

Job overview

Be the expert voice for fair, effective and robust employee relations

We’re looking for a strategic, people‑centred HR leader to head our Operational HR portfolio and help deliver an efficient and effective HR approach across the Trust, reinforcing accountability through modernization of our Employee Relations (ER) practices.

You’ll provide timely, expert advice to leaders and clinicians, partner closely with trade unions, and lead our Operational HR function to deliver a high‑quality, value‑for‑money service.

Main duties of the job

Provide senior ER leadership and advice to executives, senior managers and clinicians, shaping strategy that aligns with Trust and Workforce & OD priorities.

Lead the Operational HR and HR Support teams, ensuring processes, performance and value for money meet agreed standards and KPIs.

Own complex ER casework and investigations, providing specialist advice and exercising high‑level communication, negotiation and influencing skills in sensitive, politically nuanced contexts.

Partner with Trade Unions and the JNCC, negotiating policies and agreements in a constructive, partnership‑working framework.

Lead policy development and implementation in response to new legislation, CQC/NHSE expectations and local needs; interpret complex guidance where precedent may not exist.

Oversee employment tribunal risk and preparation, including liaison with solicitors.

Support major organisational change, including restructures, redeployment, TUPE and terms‑and‑conditions changes; provide strategic oversight of job evaluation.

• Develop people leaders, designing and delivering specialist ER/ET training.

About you

MCIPD (or equivalent) with active membership; educated to Masters level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior experience.

Proven senior HR/ER leadership with deep, current employment law knowledge and experience of leading Operational HR in a complex setting.

Experienced partnership‑builder with Trade Unions; confident negotiator who can challenge appropriately and build consensus.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities.  We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds.  If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: [email protected].

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment.  It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can.  We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers.  This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.