People & Culture Manager (FTC)
Contract: Government, Healthcare & Education (P&C)
Location: Stoke (or Midlands / North West based)
Hours of work: 37.5
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract - 9 months
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced people professional to partner closely with managers across the business, providing expert advice on people practices that foster positive and effective working relationships at both individual and team levels. The role has a strong focus on Employee Relations, smaller‑scale restructures, and delivering high‑quality people advice in line with established P&C processes and policies.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead Employee Relations across the Healthcare portfolio, managing escalations, high‑risk and appeal cases.
* Act as senior people partner for two complex or underperforming sites, owning people issues and driving sustainable improvement.
* Provide policy and procedure guidance and coaching to managers to ensure compliance and reduce risk.
* Lead end-to‑end ER case management, supporting investigations, disciplinary and grievance hearings.
* Analyse ER trends, identify root causes, and implement targeted action plans, including manager upskilling.
* Support organisational design activity, including restructures, workforce remodelling and change initiatives.
* Own and deliver employee engagement and communications activity aligned to business priorities.
* Drive performance through effective use of HR data and MI, translating insight into practical action.
Working with People Solutions / Centres of Excellence
* Embed people solutions, P&C initiatives and annual cycle activities within relevant business areas.
* Support restructures and TUPE activity where required, in collaboration with relevant CoEs.
* Manage union liaison activity where required, working alongside the ER CoE.
* Apply structured project and change management to ensure sustainable implementation of solutions.
Professional and Personal Competencies / Qualifications
* Proven experience operating in a broad People & Culture / HR Generalist role.
* Strong knowledge of UK employment law, people policies, TUPE, and experience in unionised environments.
* Demonstrated experience managing disciplinary and grievance investigations end-to‑end.
* Experience supporting restructuring and organisational change programmes.
* Strong problem‑solving, conflict resolution and mediation skills.
* Confident, customer‑focused advisor to managers and senior stakeholders.
* Ability to design, implement and embed people solutions aligned to business needs.
* Effective coach with the capability to influence and develop managers at all levels.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in sensitive and complex situations.
* Highly process‑driven with strong attention to detail within Employee Relations frameworks.
* Collaborative approach, working closely with Centres of Excellence and line managers.
Additional Information
The role requires 2–3 days per week travelling to sites, therefore a full driving licence is essential.
Equal Opportunities Statement
ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists and military families. We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.
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