About this role
Job summary
Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional looking to lead a specialist team and help shape workplace culture?
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to lead and develop our Trust-wide ER service. This is an opportunity to combine leadership with specialist practice, supporting fair and compassionate outcomes for colleagues.
You will lead a specialist ER team, oversee casework allocation and quality, and manage complex employee relations matters. You will provide expert advice to managers while ensuring colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.
Working closely with People Business Partners, senior leaders, trade union representatives and legal advisers, you will build effective partnerships and promote early resolution wherever possible.
The role includes leading case review meetings, delivering training and coaching for managers, and supporting continuous improvement across the Trust.
You will bring significant ER experience from a large, complex and unionised organisation, strong employment law knowledge, and the ability to influence and challenge constructively. You will also be a supportive leader committed to developing others.
This cross-site role covers Frimley Park, Wexham Park and Heatherwood Hospitals and community services, with travel between sites required.
If you are passionate about developing people, improving services and supporting a restorative, we would welcome your application.
Main duties of the job
Lead the day-to-day delivery and continuous improvement of the Trust-wide Employee Relations service. Manage, support and develop the specialist ER team, overseeing workload allocation, case progression and the quality of advice. Personally manage a caseload of complex and sensitive employee relations matters, alongside providing professional oversight and support to the team. Lead regular case review meetings to review progress, advise on complex issues, agree next steps and share learning. Provide expert, practical advice on employee relations matters, employment law, NHS terms and conditions and Trust policies. Design and deliver training, workshops and briefings for managers, alongside coaching to build their confidence and capability. Develop policies, guidance and management toolkits that support fair and consistent practice. Analyse casework and workforce trends, identifying risks, inequalities and opportunities for improvement. Build effective relationships with managers, staff, trade unions, legal advisers and other key stakeholders. Promote early, fair and sustainable resolution within a restorative, just and learning culture.
About us
Why join Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust?
At Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do. In this role, you will lead a specialist team, influence Trust-wide practice and make a real difference to colleagues' working lives.
You will be supported by your line manager and the wider People leadership team, working closely with People Business Partners and accessing specialist legal advice when required. We recognise the demands of complex ER work and provide opportunities to share learning, discuss challenging cases and support your ongoing professional development.
As a Disability Confident Employer and holder of the Gold Award in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build rewarding NHS careers.
We value a healthy work-life balance and support flexible working wherever possible, including hybrid, part-time and alternative working arrangements, subject to service needs.
Join an inclusive, forward-thinking organisation committed to excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Your contribution to a fair and supportive workplace will help our colleagues deliver outstanding care to the communities we serve.
Visa sponsorship
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract.
Job description Job responsibilities
Lead the day-to-day delivery and continuous improvement of the Trust-wide Employee Relations service. Manage, support and develop the ER team, allocating workloads, setting objectives and monitoring performance. Lead regular case review meetings to assess progress, explore complex issues, agree next steps and support shared learning. Provide professional guidance and coaching to team members, building their confidence, capability and judgement. Quality-assure employee relations advice, case records, investigations and written documentation to support consistency and legal compliance. Specialist employee relations casework Personally manage a caseload of complex and sensitive matters, including disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work, capability, attendance, organisational change, dismissal and appeals. Provide expert, practical advice to managers and staff on employment law, NHS terms and conditions and Trust policies. Support managers to make informed decisions, balancing fairness, individual circumstances, organisational needs and risk. Support the preparation and management of Employment Tribunal claims, working closely with legal advisers and preparing relevant documentation and witnesses. Promote early and constructive resolution wherever appropriate, maintaining a fair and compassionate approach throughout formal processes. Training, coaching and policy development Design and deliver training, workshops and briefings to strengthen managers confidence and capability in handling people matters. Provide individual coaching to help managers navigate difficult conversations and apply policies fairly and consistently. Develop, review and implement Trust-wide employee relations policies, procedures, guidance and management toolkits. Use learning from case reviews, feedback and workforce information to improve practice and support organisational learning. Insight, partnership and culture Analyse workforce and case-management information to identify trends, risks, inequalities and opportunities for improvement. Produce clear reports, dashboards and evidence-based recommendations for senior leaders and governance committees. Build effective relationships with People Business Partners, managers, staff, trade union representatives, legal advisers and other stakeholders. Contribute specialist ER advice to workforce priorities, organisational change and transformation programmes. Champion dignity, respect and inclusion, supporting fair, timely and sustainable outcomes within a restorative, just and learning culture.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Postgraduate-level HR, employment law or related qualification, or equivalent substantial specialist experience Chartered CIPD membership, or demonstrably equivalent professional knowledge and experience
Desirable
Certificate in workplace mediation
Experience Essential
Substantial specialist employee relations experience within a large, complex and unionised organisation Experience of leading, supervising or developing an HR or employee relations team Experience of developing and implementing HR policies, procedures or service improvements
Skills Essential
influencing and advising senior managers and working constructively with trade unions
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.
Employer details Employer name Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address Cross-site (can be based at either Frimley Park or Wexham Park Hospital)
Frimley
GU16 7UJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)