Employee Relations Manager
| Posting date: | 10 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £49,387.00 to £56,515.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £49387.00 - £56515.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 March 2026 |
| Location: | Portsmouth, PO6 3LY |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9470-26-0097 |
Summary
Job purpose The purpose of the Employee Relations Manager for Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is to drive the delivery of high-quality employee relations services, provide specialist advice and support to managers, and ensure compliance with employment legislation and Trust policies. The role involves providing guidance on a wide range of complex employment issues and supporting the Trust in achieving its strategic and operational objectives within the scope of national and Medical terms and conditions. The post holder will play a crucial role in fostering a just and learning culture, promoting a culture of improvement, and ensuring consistent office cover and effective service delivery across both Trusts in alignment with the objectives of a Single Corporate Service. Job summary As an Employee Relations Manager, you will serve as a key authority in Employee Relations, managing complex employee relations cases, guiding managers on optimal practices, and supporting team members through investigations. Your role includes representing HR in Trust hearings and appeals while promoting a resolution-focused environment that encourages staff engagement and empowerment. You will design and implement training programs for managers and staff, monitor employee relations performance metrics, and support the day-to-day operations of the Employee Relations team. Your responsibilities will include advising line managers on various HR matters such as disciplinary actions, grievance resolutions, performance management, attendance issues, and conflict resolution. A core aspect of your role will be to enhance managerial capabilities, enabling them to address personnel challenges effectively. As a recognised expert in Employee Relations, you will develop training modules for both managers and People and Organisational Development personnel, enhancing skills and competencies within the team. Your focus will be on creating effective, value-driven employee relations processes that ensure compliance with best practices and legal standards. Collaborating with other Employee Relations Managers, you will share accountability for advancing employee relations services, conducting training sessions, updating intranet resources, and presenting regular Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports to leadership. Specific Core Functions Case Management: Lead and facilitate complex employee relations cases, ensuring compliancewith best practices and legal requirements, while promoting a resolution-focused approach. Coaching and Development: Coach managers in designated areas to enhance their leadership and people management skills in alignment with Trust competencies, values, behavioural framework and fostering a just and learning culture. Communication and Reporting: Provide information and advice to directorates and other management groups regarding employee relations and workforce issues via telephone, email, or in person. Prepare workforce reports and attend Directorate Management Weekly Meetings, Management Quarterly Boards, and Monthly Performance Reviews to present these papers. Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders to enhance employee relations. Conflict Resolution: Act as an impartial mediator between parties to seek resolutions for disputes as required. Leadership and Development of Employee Relations Team: Provide supportive line management to the Assistant Employee Relations Managers and Employee. Relations Advisors, offering guidance and mentoring to enhance their skills and ensure effective case management and service delivery within the team. Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and appraisals with team members to provide constructive feedback and identify individual developmental needs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Assist in the coordination of training programs and workshops that enhance the capabilities of the Employee Relations team, ensuring that team members are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to address employee relations challenges effectively. Encourage a collaborative team environment that values input and ideas from all members, promoting engagement and shared responsibility for achieving departmental goals. Expert Guidance on Employee Relations Issues: Provide specialised guidance on medical employee relations issues, particularly concerning Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS) and Trust policies, as well as TUPE processes. Provide comprehensive employee relations advice and guidance on complex issues based on policies, AfC and Medical terms and conditions, and best practices. Manage and complete job evaluations in accordance with NHS job evaluation criteria, ensuring that all positions are assessed fairly and equitably based on a systematic analysis of responsibilities, skills, and the impact on patient care, while promoting best practices in workforce management. For additional information, please see attached Job description.