Head of HR Advisory

Job overview

At Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to creating a compassionate, inclusive and high‑performing workplace where our people can thrive and deliver outstanding care.

We are now seeking a Head of HR Advisory to lead one of our core People services and play a critical role in shaping how employee relations, policy and employment practice operate across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The Head of HR Advisory provides senior, professional leadership to the Trust’s HR Advisory function, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, consistent and values‑led operational HR services.

The Head of HR Advisory leads a specialist centre of expertise that enables the business partnering model. Business Partners retain accountability for strategic workforce leadership and Care Group interface; HR Advisory provides expert handling of formal processes, policy and assurance.

You will:

• Lead, develop and support a multi‑disciplinary HR Advisory team, building confidence, consistency and professional capability
• Set clear standards, thresholds and expectations for employee relations practice, ensuring proportionality, fairness and legal robustness
• Hold operational ownership of ER case management systems, using data and insight to drive learning and improvement
• Act as senior professional lead on complex, sensitive and high‑risk employment matters
• Support organisational resilience by contributing to preparedness for industrial action and workforce risk
• Work in partnership with trade unions to foster a positive, constructive employee relations climate
• Prepare and present clear, evidence‑based reports to senior governance forums and committees

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full essential and desirable criteria for this role is contained within the job description. It is important you review this, and demonstrate how you meet the criteria.

You’ll be an experienced senior HR professional with:

• substantial experience leading employee relations activity in a large, complex organisation (NHS experience desirable)
• a strong track record of leading and developing professional HR teams
• confidence operating in complex, high‑risk and sensitive situations
• experience using HR systems and data to provide assurance and drive improvement
• a collaborative, values‑led approach to working with trade unions and senior leaders

You will be comfortable providing constructive challenge, setting clear expectations and improving how services operate – while remaining grounded in fairness, learning and compassion.

You’ll join a supportive and ambitious People Directorate, with the opportunity to shape how HR Advisory services operate and make a tangible impact on the experience of our staff and leaders.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)