About this role
Job summary
To support the Business Partner approach to HR management, working in partnership with line management throughout all Divisions. To provide a comprehensive and developmental ER service to support the Trust's objectives in line with the Trust's values
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trustis the largest teaching hospital trust in the South West. We employ almost 12,000 staff that work in 350 different roles, plus hundreds of volunteers.
We offer great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment and we offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
Proposed interview date - 09/10/2026
*** Please note this role will be offered under Annex 21 for non qualified applicants with expectation to work towards level 5 CIPD***
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
To provide a professional, effective, flexible and business focused Employee Relations advisory service to Managers by way of telephone, email and face to face advice throughout the Trust.
To apply progressive solutions to people management issues to increase workforce productivity and performance to enhance patient care and safety. To advise on terms and conditions, HR policies and all matters relating to the employment of staff.
To provide effective support to Line Managers on HR policies; leading on the provision of advice on operational ER issues. To provide accurate advice to staff on HR policies, procedures and terms & conditions of employment.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
Human Resources
Work to the principles of the Business Partner approach to provide advice, support and facilitation to ensure that the Trust is able to develop and deliver the People Strategy. Provide a high level flexible, comprehensive, proactive and professional expert ER advisory service to line managers across the Trust. This will include:
Provision of expert advice and guidance on aspects of employment law and best practice. Interpretation and application of Agenda for Change terms & conditions. Enabling managers to understand their duties and to make informed decisions on ER issues. Advising on management of change proposals. Advice on HR policies and procedure. Supporting the annual staff survey process. Provide professional advice and guidance to managers on all HR Policies, working with them in taking action as appropriate, ensuring a consistent approach across other areas of the Trust to ensure fair application of Policy. Attend meetings and hearings to coach and support the manager where it is identified by the designated Senior ER Advisor/HR Business Partner, that it is appropriate and necessary to do so, this will include: Grievance and Bullying and Harassment Performance and Conduct Sickness Absence Redeployment Provide advice to employees on all aspects of Trust HR Policy, procedure and terms and conditions of employment. People Management
To provide an online, telephone and face to face, responsive and customer focused advisory service to line managers to ensure that ER practices within the Trust are high quality and in line with agreed policies, procedures and guidelines. To provide online, telephone and face to face advice and support to line managers on the management of individual sickness absence cases by developing and agreeing sickness absence management actions. To provide online, telephone and face to face advice and support to line managers on performance and conduct, grievance and bullying and harassment issues. Providing support and guidance during investigations ensuring that agreed Trust procedures are adhered to. To provide online, telephone and face to face advice and support to line managers in managing individual cases relating to performance and conduct problems ensuring that the agreed procedures are properly observed. Provide online, telephone and face to face coaching and support to line managers (in relation to ER case work). Provide online, telephone and face to face advice and support to line managers on potential grievance and bullying and harassment cases, ensure a consistent approach and work in partnership with the Trade Unions to resolve cases informally where possible. Promote an effective people management culture by establishing best human resources practices that produce an environment of trust, co-operation, partnership and involvement. Escalate appropriate complex cases and people management issues to the designated Senior ER Advisor/HR Manager, consulting with the HR Business Partner, as appropriate. Policy and Procedure Development
Support the development and implementation of HR policies, procedures and guidelines to meet the needs and values of the Trust and the requirements of employment legislation, NHS Employers guidance and best practice. Contribute to the development of ER knowledge and practice amongst colleagues within the ER team. Participate as required in working groups, presentations and training programmes. E-HR
Promote engagement with line management in the usage of the e-HR system throughout the Trust and in partnership with the Organisational Development team offer training, guidance and support in using the system. Maintain and update the content of the HR Portal, highlighting any changes to the designated Senior ER Advisor/ER Manager. Responsibility for the collection and storage of appropriate HR data on ESR/ Case Management system to enable HRM reports to be produced.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Part qualified or work towards level 5 CIPD qualification Certificate in Personnel Practice. Proven evidence of CPD.
Desirable
Associate CIPD
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Thorough understanding of HR practices including ACAS and Employment Law. Significant demonstrable experience of Human Resources issues in a large complex organisation including sickness absence management, employment law and performance management issues. Proven knowledge of Equality and Diversity including associated legislation.
Desirable
Proven knowledge and understanding of key NHS issues including national and local policy drivers.
Aptitude & Abilities Essential
Excellent interpersonal skills. Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and ability to use other systems as required. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise. Ability to communicate with staff at all levels of the organisation. Ability to work flexibly to respond to changing service priorities. Confidence to take decisions at the appropriate level.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Brittany House
1 Brest Road
Derriford
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)