Employee Relations Manager

Overview

The Employee Relations Manager will lead and support the delivery of a high quality, specialist advisory service across the Trust. You will manage and advise on a broad range of complex ER casework including disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, sickness absence, MHPS and other sensitive matters, ensuring cases are progressed in line with policy, legislation, and best practice. You will oversee and quality assure investigations, ensuring timely, robust, and professional case management.

The role includes coaching and supporting managers and a small team of Senior HR Advisors to develop ER capability and confidence across the organisation. Working collaboratively with Trade Union colleagues, HR Business Partners, and wider stakeholders, you will support early resolution, positive working relationships and consistent application of Trust standards. You will also contribute to policy development, lessons learned, ER KPIs, and the ongoing improvement of the ER service.

The post holder will deputise for the Head of Employee Relations when required and will provide visible leadership across our acute sites, primarily based at Broomfield with cross site working as needed.

Hybrid working is supported; visibility on site and active engagement with our One Team culture are key elements of this role.

• Lead and support delivery of a high quality specialist advisory service across the Trust; manage and advise on complex ER casework (disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, sickness absence, MHPS and other sensitive matters).
• Oversee investigations; quality assure, ensure timely, robust and professional case management.
• Coach and develop managers and a small team of Senior HR Advisors to build ER capability and confidence.
• Collaborate with Trade Union colleagues, HR Business Partners and wider stakeholders to support early resolution and consistent Trust standards.
• Contribute to policy development, lessons learned, ER KPIs and continuous service improvement.
• Provide visible leadership across acute sites; deputise for the Head of Employee Relations as required; primarily based at Broomfield with cross-site working.
• Hybrid working is supported with emphasis on on-site presence and engagement with the One Team culture.

• Experienced Employee Relations professional; able to provide highly specialised advice and guidance to managers and staff on complex ER issues.
• Experience in managing and supporting a broad range of ER cases in a NHS or large organisation setting is preferred.
• Ability to contribute to policy development, service improvement and ER data insights.