Deputy Head of Employee Relations
The closing date is 12 April 2026
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Employee Relations professional to join our HR team as a Deputy Head of Employee Relations.
As a senior member of the Employee Relations team, you will support the Head of Employee Relations in delivering a high-quality, responsive and consistent ER service across the Trust. You will lead on complex and sensitive Employee Relations casework and will work closely with the Head of Employee Relations and your peer to ensure a consistent, high-quality service.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a busy operational environment, is confident handling complex casework, and can balance competing priorities while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.
Main duties of the job
Employee Relations & Advisor
* Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work and sickness cases
* Provide expert, risk-based advice to managers on sensitive and high-risk workforce matters
* Support and guide investigations, hearings and Employment Tribunals as required
* Ensure consistent application of HR policies, employment law and NHS terms and conditions
Leadership & Service Delivery
* Support the leadership and development of a high-performing ER team, ensuring quality and consistency of casework
* Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations as required
* Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, managers and trade union representatives
* Contribute to the development of a proactive, efficient and customer-focused ER service
Governance & Policy
* Lead on the review and development of HR policies in line with best practice, legislation and organisational priorities
* Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including CQC requirements and Trust governance frameworks
* Monitor ER activity, identifying risks, trends and areas for improvement
Performance, Insight & Improvement
* Analyse ER data and trends to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
* Contribute to Board-level reporting, providing insight and recommendations
* Promote early resolution and support initiatives to improve management capability and reduce formal casework
About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Experience
* Proven experience of working in a management/leadership role (within HR)
* Experience of managing /leading a team
* Experience of facilitating change in practice to improve services
* Project management/co-ordination
* Responsibility for a budget
Qualifications
* Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or significant experience of working at degree level (CIPD)
* Management /leadership qualification or equivalent knowledge at post graduate level (CIPD)
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Project Management Qualification
Knowledge
* Financial procedures including budgetary management
* Business planning /annual planning
* Good understanding of change management
* Use of IT systems (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook) - standard keyboard skills
* Understanding of the NHS and current agenda
* Demonstrable knowledge of service improvements and project management
* Risk management and governance
* NHS IT systems
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 name
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum pro rata
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