Bank HR Manager
The closing date is 25 June 2026.
We are looking for a forward‑thinking, experienced and highly motivated HR Manager to join our friendly team. The successful candidate will have a passion for helping others, excellent communication skills, and the ability to diagnose and support strategic and operational workforce development.
As a people professional you will be proactive and pragmatic with a broad range of Employee Relations experience, sharing our commitment to delivering outstanding services. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Trust and provide leadership to the HR Team, delivering responsive HR advice and support to Care Groups, Corporate Departments and our subsidiary organisation.
Your operational knowledge and experience, together with your ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships and influence at a senior level, will enable you to succeed in this role.
Main duties of the job
The role involves working as an integral member of the Workforce Directorate, contributing to the delivery of services and the Trust’s People Matter Strategy. You will work collaboratively with Trust leaders and stakeholders to support forward planning, modernisation, transformation, engagement and performance of the workforce, embedding good HR practice and raising people‑management capability within the organisation.
In line with People Matter Strategic Plans, you will collaborate with others in the Workforce and OD Directorate to develop initiatives that add value to our workforce experience, enhance overall performance and support high‑quality patient care.
You must be able to demonstrate substantial prior experience resolving complex workforce issues, building staff engagement, implementing workforce changes, and improving KPIs across the employee relations portfolio.
Job responsibilities
Working knowledge of current employment legislation and experience resolving complex employee relations queries.
Experience analysing workforce data and interpreting local intelligence, employee feedback and workforce trends.
Demonstrated experience developing and delivering strategic improvement plans incorporating best practice and innovation in people practices.
Support corporate HR projects, acquire improvement methodology knowledge and deliver training sessions.
Act as the primary customer interface with Care Groups, Corporate Services and subsidiary organisations, representing the Workforce & OD portfolio.
Provide expert workforce advice supporting the provision of value‑for‑money services.
Develop an in‑depth understanding of services provided by the Capital Division Documentation and Delivery Team (CDDFT).
Take ownership of Workforce & OD actions to support resolution of employee relations matters and act on feedback within a continuous learning culture.
Oversee a timely employee relations caseload and, when necessary, escalations to ensure timely support and interventions.
Contribute to the development and delivery of Workforce & OD Directorate and Care Group/Corporate Service plans and programmes.
Lead responsibilities in identified HR areas, providing specialist advice, analysis, interpretation of HR policies and strategies, consultancy services, and planning complex activities including change‑management initiatives.
Provide specialist advice on highly complex and sensitive HR issues such as grievances, harassment, disciplinary actions, maintaining high professional standards (MHPS), appeals, capability/performance management, change management, termination of employment, health and well‑being concerns, TUPE transfers and redundancies.
Ensure timely management of sickness absence, capability and performance matters, placing people at the forefront of all we do.
Analyse and monitor workforce statistics for designated Care Group, Corporate Services and subsidiary organisations to identify improvement opportunities and work with area managers to address issues.
Produce, analyse and monitor statistical information relating to HR Team activity, and report regularly on performance against KPIs, themes, trends and lessons learned.
Present reports, including statistical information and narrative, to the Senior Management Team and across the Trust on a regular basis.
Provide specialist advice to managers on the reasonable course of action in employment matters, guided by broad employment legislation or external reference points.
Ensure disciplinary, grievance, resolution and appeal matters are handled fairly, in accordance with Trust policy and current legislation, and provide direction regarding appropriate outcomes.
Guide managers on terms and conditions applicable to all employees (medical and non‑medical), people‑centric employment practices and employment law.
Support staff in a range of employment matters, many of which are highly sensitive.
Provide evidence and preparation for Employment Tribunals; in the absence of the Head of Workforce & OD, communicate effectively with court and legal representatives on behalf of the Trust.
Help develop and implement employment policies and procedures reflecting best practice and current legislation.
Lead identified project areas and coordinate appropriate involvement of other agencies where required (e.g., ACAS, trade unions, professional registration bodies).
Directly manage, develop and lead HR staff, including absence management, recruitment and selection, grievances and disciplinary issues, allocation of work, and act as authorised signatory for approval of travel expenses.
Ensure the Trust remains legally compliant with current legislation related to Equality and Diversity.
Give advice and guidance on job evaluation and participate in evaluation of job roles in accordance with national and locally agreed procedures.
Design and deliver specialist training as required.
Provide cover for colleagues across the Trust as necessary, working at the demands of the service.
Keep updated on all relevant areas of knowledge related to the post.
The team embraces agile working, including working from home, but has an office based at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Travel is required across all Trust sites.
About us
We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham. We also operate a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care through community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale, as well as over 80 other community‑based settings and patient homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
* Able to travel across all Trust sites.
Experience
* Substantial HR experience at management level.
* Demonstrable line management experience of leading a team.
* Demonstrable experience advising disciplinary and appeal panels in complex cases.
* Extensive experience partnership working with trade union representatives.
* Experience presenting key initiatives and complex information to a wider audience.
* Proven track record of successful working with all levels of staff in a large, complex organisation, including senior leaders.
* Experience with a public sector multi‑site organisation.
* Experience developing department plans and contributing to directorate strategy.
* NHS experience.
* Experience developing and delivering training programmes.
Special Skills & Knowledge
* High level of skills and knowledge of human resource management and evidence of introduction of best practice.
* Policy research and development.
* High level and comprehensive in‑depth knowledge of employment law and terms and conditions of service.
* Expertise in interpreting and applying complex areas of employment law such as TUPE, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
* Ability to manage and deliver projects, including change‑management skills.
* High level interpersonal, communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
* Ability to organise and prioritise a complex and varied workload to meet competing demands.
* Advanced user of Microsoft and other computer products.
* Able to work independently and take accountability for own actions.
* Ability to act as a conduit between Care Group, Corporate Services and subsidiary organisations and the Directorate to ensure excellent customer service and speedy resolution of issues.
* Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and prioritise work.
* Ability to influence challenging behaviour and resolve complex relationships.
* Ability to lead highly complex, highly sensitive employment issues effectively and compassionately.
* Ability to support staff with claims of serious harassment and/or discrimination.
* Demonstrate positivity and flexibility in your approach.
* Effective report writing at a corporate level and ability to present, interpret and analyze data meaningfully.
* Knowledge of Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
* Knowledge of Medical and Dental terms and conditions.
* Knowledge and experience of Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS).
Statutory Registration
* CIPD.
Qualifications
* Masters level or equivalent, acquired through degree and professional HR qualification plus additional training or equivalent experience.
* Regular updates in employment legislation and other HR related matters in accordance with CPD requirements.
* Mediation training.
* Coaching training.
* Agenda for Change job evaluation training.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure and Barring Service check must be made to assess any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr