Associate HR Business Partner (FTC - 31/03/2026)

BERKSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Reading; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Reading is seeking an experienced HR Practitioner for the Adults Mental Health Division. The role focuses on employee relations and requires a CIPD qualification with a generalist HR background. Responsibilities include providing HR advice, supervising HR staff, and advising managers on complex issues. This position offers flexible working, generous leave, and excellent development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days annual leave

NHS pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Bike-to-Work scheme

Wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at retailers

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Experience working in a generalist HR role with employee relations.
• Strong understanding of HR policy and casework.
• Ability to advise managers on employee relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR advice to managers on employee relations.
• Supervise the HR Advisor.
• Maintain relationships with Service Managers for communication.

Skills

Employee relations

HR advisory skills

Communication

Conflict resolution

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent experience

Job description

HR Practitioner – Adults Mental Health Division

We are seeking a CIPD‑qualified, experienced HR practitioner to support our Adults Mental Health division. The role requires a generalist HR background, with a strong focus on employee relations. You will work closely with the HR Advisor and oversee all employee relations casework within the division, advising managers on complex matters up to and including dismissal, HR policy, and organisational change.

This position offers strategic responsibilities in workforce planning, change management, transformation, engagement, and leadership capability development. As a Trust committed to staff development, you will benefit from both internal and external training programmes, including Affina Team Coaching.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional HR advice to all levels of managers across the full range of employee relations issues.
• Supervise and oversee Band 5 HR Advisor.
• Build and maintain credible relationships with Service Managers, ensuring complex and sensitive information is communicated confidently.
• Act as a point of contact for managers and staff seeking advice on policies, analysing queries to offer solutions.
• Advise managers on recruitment processes, including writing job descriptions and person specifications.
• Work closely with your People Business Partner to ensure services deliver on their people priorities.
• Develop and support the inpatient team’s knowledge, capability and confidence in managing HR processes.
• Travel to multiple sites as required, with minimal impact on daily productivity.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or equivalent experience.
• Working towards or holding a CIPD Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience in a generalist HR role).
• Experience working in a generalist HR role with employee relations in a multi-skilled, professional and unionised environment.
• Strong understanding of employee relations casework and HR policy.
• Demonstrated ability to advise managers on complex employee relations matters up to dismissal.

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
• 27 days’ annual leave, rising with service, plus option to buy and sell.
• Generous NHS pension scheme.
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
• Bike‑to‑Work and car leasing scheme, including electric vehicles.
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services.
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants.
• Staff networks supporting race, diversity, disabilities, environmental and armed forces community equality.
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
• Free parking across Trust sites.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria. Our inclusive workplace ensures everyone belongs.

For more information, please view our careers video or contact us at [email protected] for application support. All appointments are subject to NHS Employment Checks; false information may result in withdrawal of offers. For details on information security, review our privacy statement.

Clause: No agencies. Please note that positions may close before the advertised date.