Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Manager (Band 7)

Location: Croydon 

• A full-time role with onsite working; or
• A full-time role with a hybrid arrangement of 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home.

Contract: Interim / Temporary
Rate: Competitive NHS Band 7 Rate

Lead Change. Influence Culture. Drive Employee Relations Excellence.

Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional looking for a role where you can genuinely influence organisational culture and outcomes? We're recruiting for an experienced Employee Relations Manager to lead a busy ER function within a large NHS organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident ER specialist who thrives on managing complex cases, developing managers, and driving best practice across a large unionised workforce. Based on-site three days per week, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping employee relations strategy while managing a high-performing team.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and manage complex Employee Relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, bullying & harassment, capability and absence management matters.
• Provide expert guidance to managers and senior leaders on employment law, ER best practice and policy application.
• Manage and develop a team of Employee Relations Advisors, ensuring caseloads are effectively prioritised and delivered.
• Oversee highly complex investigations, hearings and appeals, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and organisational policies.
• Partner with Trade Unions, HR Business Partners and senior stakeholders to resolve workforce issues effectively.
• Review, develop and implement HR policies and procedures in line with best practice and legislative requirements.
• Deliver management training and coaching on Employee Relations topics.
• Analyse ER trends and KPIs to identify opportunities for service improvement and proactive intervention.
• Support organisational initiatives focused on restorative approaches, informal conflict resolution and employee wellbeing.
• Deputise for the Head of Employee Relations when required.

Essential Requirements

✔ Degree educated

✔ CIPD Qualified and Registered

✔ Extensive Employee Relations experience within the NHS or a large, complex unionised organisation

✔ Proven experience managing highly complex ER investigations and casework

✔ Strong knowledge of Employment Law and its practical application

✔ Experience managing and developing teams

✔ Experience creating and implementing HR policies

✔ Ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders professionally

✔ Excellent communication, report writing and presentation skills

✔ Strong IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

✔ Experience analysing workforce data and producing management reports

Desirable

* Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law

* NHS Employee Relations experience

* Experience delivering HR and ER training programmes

* Knowledge of ESR and HR systems

* Project management experience

What We're Looking For

• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills
• Resilient and confident operating in challenging environments
• Strong relationship builder who can influence at all levels
• Passionate about improving employee experience and organisational culture
• Able to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a progressive NHS organisation committed to delivering excellent people services. You'll gain exposure to high-level stakeholder engagement, complex employment matters and service improvement projects while making a meaningful impact on employee experience and organisational performance.

Apply today with your CV and demonstrate how your Employee Relations expertise can make a difference.