People Operations Manager

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and proactive People Operations Manager to provide a comprehensive People advisory and employee relations service to designated Divisions and Directorates.

Working closely with Divisional Heads of People and People Partners, you will provide expert advice across a broad range of workforce matters including employee relations, sickness absence management, organisational change, recruitment and workforce planning. You will support managers to apply Trust policies consistently and fairly whilst promoting best employment practice.

This is a hands-on operational role combining professional HR advice, employee relations case management and workplace investigations. The successful candidate will undertake investigations where required, support managers through formal HR processes and provide practical advice on complex workforce matters. Alongside this, you will manage and coordinate a busy casework portfolio, maintaining case trackers and records, arranging hearings and meetings, preparing documentation and ensuring cases progress within agreed timescales. The role requires excellent employee relations knowledge, investigative skills, organisational ability and attention to detail.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert HR advice and support to managers and staff across allocated Divisions and Directorates.
• Lead and support employee relations casework including conduct, capability, grievance, dignity at work and attendance management matters.
• Undertake workplace investigations and act as an Investigating Officer where required.
• Support managers acting as Investigating Officers through all stages of formal HR processes.
• Manage and coordinate employee relations casework, ensuring case trackers, records and documentation are maintained accurately and cases progress in a timely manner.
• Arrange and coordinate investigation meetings, hearings, appeals, consultation meetings and case conferences involving multiple stakeholders.
• Identify and resolve barriers that may delay case progression, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Support organisational change programmes, including consultation processes and workforce restructuring.
• Monitor workforce metrics and provide analysis and recommendations to support workforce planning and performance improvement.
• Coach managers in the application of Just Culture principles and best employment practice.
• Support recruitment activity, job evaluation processes and workforce establishment management.
• Deliver HR training and guidance to managers.
• Build effective working relationships with trade union representatives and key stakeholders.
• Support the delivery of Divisional People Plans and wider workforce objectives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for details on the main duties and responsibilities.