People Relations and Culture Lead

We’re looking for someone with significant expertise in Employee/People Relations to join our People Services directorate on a fixed term 6-month contract. This is a pivotal role for an experienced HR professional to help support our existing People Relations and Culture team. You’ll lead on and ensure legally sound advice on complex and sensitive ER matters, including conduct, capability, grievance, change management and Employment Tribunal related activity. You’ll be a trusted advisor, coaching and supporting senior leaders and members of the People Relations and Culture team, to navigate ambiguity, resolve conflict informally where possible, and embed psychologically safe, values driven ways of working. You’ll champion our Just and Restorative culture, shaping approaches that prioritise learning, fairness, and early resolution.

You’ll bring confidence, credibility, and strong coaching skills, ensuring our people practices align with employment legislation, organisational values and best practice. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact—improving how we manage ER issues, shaping culture, and supporting a high performing team during a period of continued transformation.

If you’re an ER expert who thrives on supporting and resolving complex employee/people relations activities, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and support People Relations Specialists to deliver high quality, timely and consistent advice across all areas of employee relations.
• Allocate, oversee and quality assure complex casework including complex sickness absence, disciplinary, grievance, capability, appeals and dismissals, and supporting with organisational change
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing clear solutions focussed advice on sensitive and often ambiguous people issues.
• Offer balanced, risk aware guidance whilst supporting early, informal conflict resolution aligned to restorative and just learning principles wherever possible.
• Champion psychologically safe environments and restorative approaches, including mediation, reflective practice and learning focused interventions.
• Use data, KPIs and soft intelligence to identify trends, risks and opportunities for organisational learning and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Trade Unions, Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, Staff Networks and other internal stakeholders to maintain positive relationships
• Support the development, review and embedding of People Policies aligned to NICE values and restorative principles.

This role is ideal for someone who combines deep ER expertise with strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and a passion for shaping inclusive, high performing cultures.

As part of the People Team within the Facilities, Improvement & People Directorate, you’ll join a high performing, values driven group that is proud of the impact we’ve made across NICE.

Our Recent Achievements

• Elevated Engagement: We’ve become the top performing directorate in the organisation for engagement.
• Driven Real Change: Our commitment to a Restorative, Just and Learning Culture is already transforming how colleagues experience work.
• Strengthened Union Partnerships: We’ve built constructive, collaborative relationships that support early resolution and shared problem solving.
• Championed Inclusivity: We’ve delivered measurable improvements in representation, belonging and inclusive practice.

Join Our Team – What We Offer

• Supportive Team Culture: We work collaboratively, value psychological safety and ensure every voice is heard.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working: Split your time between home and our modern offices in Manchester and Stratford.
• Professional Growth: Access continuous learning, development pathways and opportunities to broaden your HR expertise.
• Inclusive Workplace: Join active staff networks including Women in NICE, Race Equality Network and Disability Advocacy.
• Generous NHS Benefits:
  • NHS Pension Scheme
  • 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Blue Light Card discounts
  • Flexible working options

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Jools Steadman Job title: Head of Employee Relations Email address: jools.steadman@nice.org.uk