Head of Employee Relations

Job overview

Are you an experienced Employee Relations leader looking for an opportunity to shape a modern, compassionate and effective service?

We are seeking an exceptional senior people professional to lead our Employee Relations function.

The successful candidate will act as the Trust’s senior Employee Relations expert, providing credible, pragmatic and legally robust advice to Executive Directors, senior leaders, clinicians and managers.

You'll lead a skilled team and develop a proactive service focused on early intervention, fair and proportionate decision-making, mediation, restorative practice and just culture.

You'll have substantial senior-level experience within the NHS or another large, complex and highly regulated organisation. You will bring expert employment-law knowledge, strong leadership skills and significant experience of complex case management, trade union partnership and organisational change.

If you are a compassionate, credible and values-led leader who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, we would welcome your application.

The pay banding of this role is subject to job matching.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust’s Employee Relations strategy and service.
• Advise on complex and high-risk employee relations cases.
• Provide expert guidance on employment law, NHS terms and conditions and organisational risk.
• Oversee Employment Tribunal matters and work with external legal advisers.
• Build effective relationships with recognised trade unions and staff representatives.
• Support organisational change, restructuring, consultation and TUPE.
• Develop manager confidence through coaching, training and early-resolution approaches.
• Use workforce data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Strategic leadership
• Provide strategic leadership for the Employee Relations function.
• Develop and implement the Trust’s Employee Relations strategy and annual work programme.
• Ensure ER activity supports the Trust’s People Strategy and wider organisational objectives.
• Provide expert advice to the People Directorate and senior leadership on emerging employment relations risks and trends.
• Develop a proactive ER model focused on early intervention, prevention and resolution.
• Deputise for the Deputy Chief People Officer when required.
• Represent the People Directorate at appropriate Trust committees, governance groups and working groups.
• Complex employee relations
• Provide expert advice on highly complex and sensitive employee relations cases.
• Lead or oversee complex disciplinary, capability, grievance, dignity at work, sickness absence and conduct cases.
• Advise on complex cases involving senior staff and clinical professionals.
• Provide expert advice on employment law and legal risk.
• Work with external legal advisers on Employment Tribunal claims and other employment-related litigation.
• Prepare reports and advice for formal panels and senior decision makers.
• Attend Employment Tribunals and provide evidence where required.
• Ensure appropriate escalation of significant employment risks.

For further information please see attached job description and person specification.