Employee Relations Manager

The role holder will partner with key designated Clinical Group managers to build exceptional working relationships to deliver a seamless service that nurtures and improves the employee experience. The role supports the Employee Relations team in providing an expert people‑relations advisory service to Trust managers and staff, ensuring comprehensive, consistent and timely advice and support. It oversees the development and delivery of a leading, proactive case management service aligned with Just Culture principles, enabling employees to contribute their best to the Trust.

Main duties of the job

• Serve as the focal point for Clinical Group/Divisional leads on all employee relations matters, providing detailed guidance on the interpretation of Trust policies, procedures and employment legislation.
• Oversee and lead all Employment Tribunal claims as the first point of contact for the Trust’s legal provider, liaising with Trust managers and representatives during preparation of documents and defence.
• Develop employee‑relations interventions to enhance manager skill and competency in people management, including workshops on Just Culture, investigations and fixed‑term contracts.
• Manage a team, ensuring all members contribute to the development of the employee relationships service offer.
• Maximise team potential by ensuring meaningful appraisal and personal development plans for all team members, incorporating feedback from internal customers and peers.
• Support the development and training of managers in key HR matters such as absence management, delivering shared learning events and day courses in partnership with Organisational Development, Leadership & Talent.

Key Relationships

• Directors, Deputy and Senior Managers
• People leadership team
• All members of Clinical Group/Divisional or Directorate Management Team
• Departmental Managers / Heads of Service and other key staff
• Colleagues in the People, OD and Learning Team
• Staff representatives
• Trust legal advisors
• Full‑time officers of Trade Unions and professional organisations
• Colleagues in other NHS organisations

Employee Relations Case Work

• Take a proactive role in all employee‑relations cases such as disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, fixed‑term contracts, redundancy and medical cases, supporting managers through the process and up to the appeal level.
• Lead all Employment Tribunal claims, coordinating with legal advisers and preparing necessary documents.
• Support the team in managing mixed caseloads, setting short‑term and long‑term strategies to resolve cases expeditiously.
• Promote and embed Just Culture principles to facilitate informal resolution wherever possible.
• Develop and deliver management interventions, including workshops on Just Culture, investigations and fixed‑term contracts.
• Deputise for the Head/Deputy of Employee Relations at Safeguarding Allegation meetings and provide HR advice.
• Accountable for updating caseload management progress within the HR data collection system.

People Management

• Coordinate team efforts to ensure collective goals are met within the People Directorate.
• Conduct regular one‑to‑one reviews with team members to discuss health, wellbeing, support, development and performance.
• Ensure every team member has a voice in shaping the employee‑relations service offer.
• Facilitate constructive learning from case work, offering balanced feedback to improve service delivery.
• Guarantee that each team member receives a meaningful appraisal and personal development plan, including feedback from internal customers.

Reporting, Training and Interventions

• Provide comprehensive employee‑relations data to inform local management and Trust‑wide trend analysis.
• Identify policy development opportunities, collaborating with the Head of Policy and Partnership to lead and refine Trust ER policies and procedures.
• Support manager training in key HR matters, delivering shared learning events and day courses in partnership with Organisational Development, Leadership & Talent.
• Lead and participate in initiatives to enhance the employee‑relations service.
• Ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded across all HR services.
• Analyze cases and work with stakeholders to develop bespoke interventions addressing people issues such as sickness absence management.
• Contribute to the design, planning and delivery of formal and informal training on HR policies for managers at all levels.
• Assist in ad‑hoc projects assigned by the Head/Deputy Head of ER.

Communication

• Build and maintain professional relationships across the organisation using a collaborative and consultative approach.
• Act as a communication and culture ambassador, demonstrating compassion and humility during sensitive employee matters.
• Expand professional networks to support continuous improvement of the Trust’s employee‑relations approach.

Service Development and Delivery

• Deliver a credible, customer‑focused service to employees and managers, grounded in high‑quality advice, approachability, flexibility and responsiveness.
• Develop communication and education materials that provide timely and accurate information to staff.
• Continuously improve People Directorate processes, ensuring consistent application of legislation and national guidelines.
• Identify areas for service improvement within own and team roles.
• Stay informed about changes in employment law, mitigating impact on business and policy as required.

Information Management

• Contribute to the development of user‑friendly People Relations processes and systems, enabling data access for clinical groups.
• Adopt efficient data‑management practices, streamlining processes to support a paperless environment and continuous improvement.
• Accountable for data integrity and ensuring appropriate audit controls.
• Analyze People‑relations activity, monitor trends and act on identified concerns.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

• Strong HR background providing advice on a range of employee‑relations matters (performance, conduct, employment law and people policies) without day‑to‑day supervision, with capacity to support others.
• Significant experience supporting complex employee‑relations cases.
• Experience managing a team.
• Knowledge of MHPS and Safeguarding.

Skills and abilities

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) at all staff levels, particularly in complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to identify key issues and generate viable options for successful outcomes.
• Sound knowledge of current employment law and its application to the working environment.
• Experience in a complex organisational environment, preferably healthcare.
• Capacity to manage a high caseload.

Education and qualifications

• MCIPD or equivalent.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrate, respect and value workforce and patient diversity. Policies are reviewed to ensure all employees, patients and carers are treated equitably, and the Trust is committed to preventing discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. Reasonable adjustments and support are available throughout the application process.

Labour market considerations

Due to recent changes in UK immigration rules affecting Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and increased salary thresholds, please ensure you meet the required criteria to live and work in the UK before applying.