About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking People Partner - ER Specialist to provide legally sound advice on complex and sensitive ER matters, including medical and non-medical conduct, capability, resolution, and Employment Tribunal related activity. You'll be a trusted advisor, coaching and supporting senior leaders and members of the People Relations 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 investigations and developing new practices with a focus on 'Being Fair', we'd love to hear from you.
The role offers genuine flexibility, with the opportunity to combine working remotely while benefiting from time in the office to connect and collaborate when it really matters.
Main duties of the job
Lead, coach and support the ER team to deliver high quality, timely and consistent advice across all areas of employee relations.
Undertake complex investigations as well as oversee and quality assure casework including sickness absence, disciplinary, employment tribunals, resolution, capability, SOSR appeals and dismissals.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior managers 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 UHL values and restorative principles.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
we are compassionate, we are proud, we are inclusive, and we are one team This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification - separate document for full details of the role.
Person Specification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours Essential
Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Training & Qualifications Essential
Degree level HRM qualification or knowledge and expertise gained through in-depth experience to degree level equivalent Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. CIPD Diploma or equivalent experience All HR and OD professionals are expected to take responsibility for their own continual personal development
Desirable
Chartered CIPD member Investigation Training
Experience Essential
Extensive experience of working in an employee relations function in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation requiring legally sound analysis and decision making Experience of advising managers on highly complex and serious individual and / or collective conflict situations including disciplinary, capability and resolution issues Extensive experience of managing/supervising a large team. Experience of completing complex investigations, hearings and appeals in a unionized environment. Up to date knowledge of employment legislation and understanding of the risks of non-compliance Demonstrable experience of producing high quality written reports with the ability to draw a clear and concise findings Understanding of Being Fair Culture
Desirable
Experience on advising on Agenda for Change terms and conditions. Medical Employee Relations experience ensuring that cases are managed in accordance with Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS) and Trust Policy Experienced in using ESR Experience using automation and AI tools such as CoPilot
Communication and relationship skills Essential
To be fully committed to imbedding the Being Fair Culture within the People Service team and the wider Trust. Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate at all levels, along with interpersonal and collaboration skills To be impartial when providing clear and concise written and verbal communication to staff members at all levels Have empathy when receiving or providing sensitive, personal and confidential information. Be tactful, persuasive and able to influence when handling complex situations Effective consultation and negotiation skills with individuals, managers and staff side organisations. Experience of implementing successful service improvements.
Desirable
Basic Project Management Skills Coaching or Mediation qualification
Analytical and Judgement skills Essential
Ability to interpret complex issues and information and identify trends and make appropriate recommendations Proactively identify areas of continuous improvement in conducting Investigation practices and initiatives in order to better meet customer and business needs making suggestions on the appropriate action to be taken or implementation to improve service delivery and achievement of key performance indicators. Significant experience of analysing & weighting evidence to compile a management case report Experience of preparing, analysing and presenting data reports on ER casework activity and key performance indicator compliance Strong attention to detail with a commitment to high quality work.
Desirable
Knowledge of using casework management systems Sufficient in using BI / Excel functionality
Planning and organisation skills Essential
Strong time management and able to prioritise and meet multiple and competing deadlines Setting up and reviewing systems and procedures
Personal Skills Essential
Ability to deal with frequent interruptions Adopts a flexible approach Able to work on own initiative Effective Team worker Ability to deal with conflict effectively and find resolution Ability to motivate themselves and others Able to establish credibility Self-awareness and understanding of own strengths and limitations and impact of personal style and approach on others Commitment to openness, honesty, inclusiveness and personal integrity in dealing with others
Desirable
Organisational Awareness
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Essential
Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs. All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high-quality care and interactions with others
Other requirements specific to the role Essential
Awareness of Equality & Valuing Diversity Principles Understanding of Confidentiality & Data Protection Act
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Address Leicester Royal Infirmary
Knighton Street
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.jobsatleicestershospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)