Employee relations manager
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of London’s most innovative NHS Trusts, recognised for its outstanding CQC ratings and exceptional staff. The Trust is part of the TRI collaborative arrangement with Imperial College Healthcare and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The closing date is 01 January 2026
As ER Manager you will bring significant employee relations expertise to improve the experience of our staff and leaders. You will lead a team delivering best‑in‑class ER support rooted in just culture and people‑first practices. Working closely with the Head of ER, you will provide specialist advice and resolution services across the Trust, while embracing innovation and cross‑organisational collaboration.
This is a key leadership role for someone ready to shape the future of ER across a dynamic team.
3 days working on site
Main duties of the job
As an experienced ER professional you will have significant experience in developing the ER function and line‑managing staff. With strong interpersonal and communication skills you will build strong relationships with stakeholders across the Trust, including Trade Union colleagues. A passionate believer in ‘just culture’ you will design and implement inclusive conflict resolution approaches and nurture a new enthusiastic team.
The ER Manager will provide advice and support to line managers on a range of human resource management issues, including employee relations matters such as discipline, grievance management, poor performance, attendance and workplace dispute management. You will be a subject expert in ER, develop training programmes for managers and HR staff, and design long‑term, value‑added ER processes and practices that enable cases to be managed to effective conclusion in line with best practice and legal guidelines.
You will possess excellent IT skills, manipulating data to create and display standard and ad hoc ER reports.
Job responsibilities
Employee Relations casework
* Support and develop an effective specialist advisory service across the range of employee‑relations matters, ensuring the provision of professional, expert and technical guidance in line with policies and procedures.
* Facilitate and lead on complex employee relations cases, advising managers on best ER practice and ensuring compliance with employment legislation and Trust‑wide standards.
* Promote and utilise agreed outcomes to resolve formal cases quickly and effectively.
* Support the Head of ER to put in place systems for the effective management of employment tribunal claims and requests for employee‑relations related information, including freedom of information requests.
Team Management
* Responsible for line‑management of Senior/Employee Relations Advisors.
* Manage and develop the performance and capability of the ER Advisors, setting performance standards, providing regular feedback and conducting annual PDRs.
* Hold responsibility for sickness absence monitoring, return‑to‑work interviews, approval of annual leave in line with Trust policies and procedures.
* Oversee the workload of the ER Advisors and allocate new casework appropriately.
Service Development
* Implement and champion the Trust’s approach to resolution‑based outcomes, supporting managers through coaching, confident conversations and mediation.
* Support and oversee the implementation and delivery of the Trust’s mediation programme.
* Develop documentation for managers and employees, ensuring alignment of policy and practice.
* Design, develop and implement structured training sessions for line managers on ER policies and procedures.
MHPS casework, Reporting and Governance
* Provide specialist advice and support on the MHPS process for medical staff.
* Maintain the MHPS case tracker weekly or as required.
* Lead on production of all monthly ER reports, ensuring data is up‑to‑date and accurate.
* Support the Head of ER to ensure compliance with ER audits and that action plans are in place and completed.
* Maintain and update the HR policy tracker, ensuring HR policies are updated by nominated representatives.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* A degree plus CIPD qualification (level 7) or extensive experience in a senior employee relations role.
* Educated to post‑graduate level or extensive experience in an HR Manager or senior HR Advisor role.
* Formal training in a relevant topic such as coaching, mediation or employment law.
Experience
* Significant demonstrable experience advising stakeholders on a broad range of ER issues, balancing legal compliance with business need and developing practical value‑adding solutions.
* Experience managing multiple complex ER cases from a strategic perspective.
* Experience managing staff.
* Experience designing, delivering and evaluating training programmes.
* Evidence of having a positive impact on an organisation through excellent influencing skills.
* Training/supervisory experience.
* Experience of TUPE or major organisational change.
* Experience working with MHPS.
Skills and knowledge
* Excellent knowledge of current employment legislation and best practice in ER policies, principles and procedures.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
* Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver multiple concurrent activities within agreed deadlines and to agreed standards with consistent attention to detail.
* Strong analytical skills, identifying causes of problems and proposing realistic solutions.
* Ability to plan, prioritise, communicate and deliver against personal and team objectives.
* Ability to develop strong relationships, coach, challenge and influence to ensure effective ER solutions, balancing risk and commerciality and resolving conflict where necessary.
* Exceptional listening and questioning skills that enable empowerment and get to the heart of the issue.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£56,276 to £63,176 a year incl. HCAS
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