Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Manager - 3-month Contract

Location: Surrey

Contract Type: 3-month Contract, Full time

Salary Band: NHS Agenda for Change Band 7

Pay Rate £16.97 to £21.66 per hour (depending on experience)

We are recruiting on behalf of a respected NHS Trust for an experienced and proactive Employee Relations Manager to join their HR & OD team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident HR professional to lead a high-performing ER team and play a key role in shaping a compassionate and fair employee relations culture.

About the Role

As Employee Relations Manager, you will work closely with the Head of Employee Relations to deliver a proactive, professional, and efficient ER service. You will lead a team of Senior ER Advisors, manage complex casework, and support the development of policies and training that promote informal resolution and restorative approaches to conflict.

This role is ideal for someone with strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of employment law, and a passion for improving staff experience through fair and consistent people practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex ER cases including investigations, hearings, and appeals.
• Promote informal resolution and restorative approaches to workplace conflict.
• Line manage and develop the ER team, ensuring performance standards and fair workload distribution.
• Draft and revise employment policies and support their implementation.
• Deliver specialist training and contribute to strategic HR projects.
• Analyse ER data to identify trends and support continuous improvement.
• Build effective relationships with senior managers, trade unions, and external legal advisors.
• Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations and contribute to directorate-level reporting.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential:

• Educated to Degree Level
• CIPD qualified and registered
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law

Experience

Essential:

• Extensive experience in Employee Relations within large, complex organisations
• Proven leadership and relationship-building skills
• Experience managing complex investigations and diverse people issues
• Experience in unionised environments and policy development
• Experience providing expert advice to senior managers
• Experience managing teams and delivering ER training

Desirable:

• Experience within the NHS or similar professional environment
• PRINCE2 qualification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential:

• Strong communication and influencing skills
• In-depth knowledge of ER and HR best practice
• Ability to manage sensitive issues and meet deadlines
• Skilled in negotiation, data analysis, and presenting complex information
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Desirable:

• Skilled user of ESR
• Thorough understanding of employment law and its application

Apply Now

If you are an experienced HR professional, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.