At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in employee relations across two NHS trusts.
- Company: Join the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy great perks like on-site wellness facilities, a nursery, and staff networks.
- Other info: Flexible location with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace culture and employee engagement.
- Qualifications: Must have a professional HR qualification and experience in complex employee relations.
The predicted salary is between 57528 - 64750 £ per year.
Weekly Hours / Programmed Activities: 37.5
Salary Band: Band 8a
Staff Group: Administrative and Clerical
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Area: Admin and Corporate
Company Description
Working as a partnership, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have a shared vision for excellence in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims underpinning how we will achieve this. The single corporate service is delivered across both organisations. You may be based at either IWT or PHU and individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites. For leaders managing staff across multi-site locations, you will need to be visible and provide in person leadership. The arrangements and frequency will be agreed locally.
Job Description
Salary: NHS Band 8a - £57,528 - £64,750 per annum
Position Type: Permanent
Location: Across sites, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (frequency of visits to each site, to be agreed locally)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and qualified senior employee relations practitioner to lead our employment advisory service across both Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust and the Isle of Wight Trust. Our 15 strong team of ER Managers and Advisers play a vital role in supporting the delivery of strategic leadership in employee relations and we are seeking an experienced leader and expert to lead the team.
The Employee Relations function has a wide remit and provides the opportunity for the successful candidate to really make their mark across two trusts, a workforce of over 12000 and through a Group model. A high quality and responsive case management service is core to the role but this extends beyond this to include advising on terms and conditions of employment associated contracts (including for medical staff), ensuring employment compliance (including rights to work), policy development and legal compliance, organisational change, job evaluation and coaching and training of line managers in employment relationships in their teams. This is a key role in supporting the management of employment risk, organisational reputation and improving people culture consistent with our values, objectives and declared leadership behaviours. The ER team plays a key part in delivering our aspiration to be a ‘best place to work’ through our recently published Delivering excellence through our people strategy.
As a key strategic collaborator, the Senior Employee Relations Manager is tasked with effectively managing and advancing employee relations practices across both trusts. This dynamic position demands a proactive approach to leading the ER Team, ensuring their activities align with the trusts' strategic goals while fostering an environment of collaboration and empowerment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic oversight and direction for the ER team, setting ambitious targets and cultivating a high-performance culture that aligns with the Trusts’ mission and values.
- Mentor and develop team members to enhance their capabilities, ensuring they are equipped to address complex employee relations issues while promoting a learning and just workplace environment.
- Collaborate closely with the HR Director, ER & Medical HR to define and implement People Strategies that drive organisational effectiveness, improve employee engagement, and support continuous cultural improvement initiatives.
- Lead case reviews for complex employee relations matters, applying a just and learning approach to conflict resolution and employee engagement, ensuring fairness and transparency in all processes.
- Due to our Group model the post holder could be based at our offices at Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight (team members are based in both sites) but with the commitment to travel as required.
If you think you can make a difference in this role and would like to discuss the opportunity, please contact Andrew Vickers, HR Director, ER & Medical HR via email on andrewvickers@nhs.net
Closing Date: Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Qualifications
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Professional Qualification (Post graduate level 7) or equivalent
- Evidence of continuing personal and professional development
- Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (M/FCIPD)
Experience
- Previous experience of managing complex employee relations casework, including sickness absence and health and wellbeing.
- Able to demonstrate the delivery of initiatives that have reduced sickness absence
- Designing and/or improving process and systems
- Supervising/managing staff
- Managing an HR service to a client group through teams
- Providing high quality professional case supervision
- Preparing reports up to Board level
- Positively engaging with trade unions and staff
- Experience of a large, highly complex organisation / NHS
- Trained in mediation techniques
- Facilitation Skills
- Employment Legal negotiations
- Trained in NHS Agenda for Change Job Evaluation
Skills & Knowledge
- Good understanding of best practice in improving attendance and creating healthy work environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a particular emphasis on report writing for the board and employment tribunals.
- Evidence of expertise, interest and continuing professional development in sickness management and/or supporting staff with legally protected characteristics
- Strong track record and commitment to equality and inclusion with expert knowledge of discrimination in the employment context
- Demonstrable experience of interpreting and applying terms and conditions of an organisation
- Digital literacy with ability to effectively use technology to work efficiently and deliver objectives
- Sound understanding of employment legislation and regulations, with experience in dealing with employment tribunals and related legal matters.
- Experience in handling sensitive HR issues and employee relations matters, including managing conflicts and disputes effectively.
- Understanding of health and safety standards; NICE guidance and the latest best practice in improving attendance at work
- Able to demonstrate innovation and new approaches in improving attendance
- Experience in the safeguarding processes
- Understanding of NHS Terms and Conditions (e.g. Agenda for Change and medical staff contracts of employment)
- Trained in Agenda for Change Job Evaluation.
Additional Information
The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.
We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
Senior Employee Relations Manager in Portsmouth employer: IWT PHU Single Corporate Service
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust offer a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Senior Employee Relations Manager role, with a commitment to employee wellbeing and professional development. Employees benefit from a range of perks including access to on-site facilities such as a gym, swimming pool, and nursery, alongside opportunities for mentorship and career growth within a collaborative culture that values diversity and inclusion. This position not only allows you to make a significant impact across two trusts but also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose in delivering excellence in patient care.
Contact Details:
IWT PHU Single Corporate Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employee Relations Manager in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the NHS or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the trusts thoroughly. Understand their values and recent initiatives. This way, you can tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission and can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently, especially when discussing complex employee relations scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at the NHS Trusts.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employee Relations Manager in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Employee Relations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially in managing complex employee relations casework.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a key strategic collaborator, it’s important to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've mentored team members or led initiatives that improved employee engagement and workplace culture.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us quickly see how you fit into our vision for excellence in care.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at IWT PHU Single Corporate Service
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the Senior Employee Relations Manager role. Understand the strategic goals of both trusts and how your experience aligns with their mission. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to lead a team and manage complex employee relations issues.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so be prepared to talk about your mentoring and development experiences. Think of instances where you've successfully guided team members through challenging situations or improved team performance. Highlight your approach to fostering a high-performance culture and how it aligns with the trusts' values.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life scenarios. Prepare for case studies or hypothetical situations related to employee relations, such as handling conflicts or managing sickness absence. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Engage with Their Values
Both trusts are committed to creating a positive workplace culture. Familiarise yourself with their values and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to making them a 'best place to work'. Share your thoughts on employee engagement initiatives and how you would implement strategies to improve staff wellbeing and inclusivity.
