Employee Relations Manager (National Health Service)

Directorate: Corporate

Department: Human Resources and Organisational Development

Reporting to: Head of Employee Relations

Responsible for: Senior Employee Relations Advisers

Employment type: Contract

Working arrangement: Hybrid (3 days on-site)

Hourly rate: £26.16

Location: Croydon

Start date: ASAP

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to join a complex NHS organisation in Croydon. Working with the Head of Employee Relations, you will lead a professional service, oversee complex casework and ensure investigations are fair, consistent and completed on time. You will promote early resolution, advise managers, manage the Employee Relations team and improve case quality, performance and NHS staff experience.

Main responsibilities

• Lead complex disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work, bullying and harassment, and capability cases.
• Provide expert advice in line with NHS policies, employment law, ACAS guidance and best practice.
• Manage complex investigations, hearings, appeals and formal processes.
• Ensure investigations are thorough, evidence-based and completed on time.
• Oversee investigation reports and hearing documentation.
• Support managers presenting cases and advise hearing chairs and panels.
• Identify and escalate procedural, evidential and organisational risks.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive employee relations information.
• Liaise with external legal advisers on legal and Employment Tribunal matters.
• Build effective relationships with Trade Unions and senior stakeholders.

Team leadership

• Line-manage and develop Senior Employee Relations Advisers.
• Set quality standards, allocate work fairly and monitor performance.
• Track case progress, quality and completion times.
• Keep the employee relations case-management system accurate and current.
• Coordinate service cover and promote early, compassionate resolution.

Policy, training and service development

• Draft, review and implement policies in line with NHS Terms and Conditions, employment law and best practice.
• Develop guidance, templates and tools for managers and employees.
• Design and deliver employee relations training for NHS managers.
• Maintain intranet guidance and resources.
• Promote fair treatment and a compassionate employee relations culture.
• Capture lessons learned and implement service improvements.
• Lead or support employee relations projects.

Data, reporting and assurance

• Analyse employee relations data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Produce KPI and performance reports for senior management.
• Monitor case timelines, outcomes and disparities relating to protected characteristics.
• Develop action plans where concerns or inequalities are identified.
• Support Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests within required timescales.

General responsibilities

• Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations.
• Work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Support junior colleagues and the wider NHS HR team.
• Maintain current knowledge of employment law and NHS HR practice.
• Complete appraisal, professional development and mandatory training requirements.

Person specification

Essential qualifications and experience

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• CIPD qualified and registered.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Extensive employee relations experience within the NHS or another complex organisation.
• Experience managing complex investigations, hearings and sensitive people matters.
• Experience in a multidisciplinary and unionised environment.
• Experience advising senior managers and influencing stakeholders.
• Experience developing policies and delivering employee relations training.
• Experience managing and developing a team.

Essential knowledge and skills

• Strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law and HR best practice.
• Ability to interpret and apply employment law in complex cases.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Confidence handling conflict and emotionally sensitive situations.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and independent decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyse data and present findings clearly.
• Good Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience using the NHS Electronic Staff Record or a comparable HR system.

Desirable

• Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law or equivalent.
• Previous NHS experience.
• PRINCE2 or another relevant project-management qualification.

Important Information

• Applicants must be UK residents.
• No visa sponsorship is available for this role.
• This role is hybrid, requiring three days on-site each week, with no fully remote option.

Salt contact: Robert Sprigens.

About this advert

This advert provides a simplified overview of the position. Applicants whose qualifications and experience align with the role requirements will receive the full job description following submission and initial review of their application.