Employee Relations Advisor

Stockport; Stockport; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 27-33 days + bank

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice schemes

Salary finance

Credit Union

Job summary

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Employee Relations Advisor (Band 5) to join the new Employee Relations team. This 22.5 hours-per-week role supports the service model across Stockport & Tameside HR departments, delivering core ER functions.

We are looking for values-driven professionals passionate about equalities, driving improvements and promoting excellence, who will help build a best-in-class HR Advisory Service for managers and staff.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Possession of graduate membership of the CIPD or equivalent experience
• Good understanding of HR best practice and employment legislation
• Data protection and confidentiality awareness
• Experience giving frontline advice to managers and staff on terms of employment

Responsibilities

• Lead on providing support and guidance on a wide range of employment issues
• Support Senior ER Advisors and ER Manager in disciplinary, capability and grievance cases
• Advise on NHS terms and conditions and organisational change/restructures
• Contribute to policy development and NHS terms & conditions knowledge

Skills

HR knowledge

Employee relations

Disciplinary guidance

Policy interpretation

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

HR databases

Job description

From the exceptional opportunities we offer, to the remarkable care we provide for our patients, we think there is something special about working here.

Site HR Aspen House, Stepping Hill Hospital Town Stockport Salary £32,073 - £39,043 Dependant on experience Salary period Yearly Closing 19/11/2026 23:59

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

There are lots of good reasons to choose to come and work at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. A dynamic integrated Trust with integrity and vision. Exactly the same qualities you’ll see in yourself. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust aims to be the organisation of choice for patients and an employer of choice for staff. In order to continually improve all aspects of our patient experience, we rely upon having a highly skilled, motivated, diverse, productive and patient focused workforce.

Stockport Foundation Trust is one of four ‘specialist’ hospital sites in Greater Manchester. Being a ‘specialist’ hospital will enhance our general surgery, anaesthetics, critical care and emergency medicine for the benefit of people in Stockport, High Peak, Cheshire and across Greater Manchester.

In your application for this post, please describe how your experience and skills align with 'Our values-based behaviours' ( see additional documentation) and provide examples.

Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

As well as recognising previous NHS service, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is a member of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. If you are currently employed by Greater Manchester Local Authority, Combined Authority, GMFRS, TfGM as well as other public service organisations, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust will recognise your previous service for sickness and maternity/paternity/adoption entitlement and also for annual leave purposes (providing there has been no break in service). If you currently work for one of the above organisations and successfully apply for a post with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, please ensure the Recruitment team are aware so that this service is reflected in your contract of employment.

Job overview

Previous applicants need not apply

Employee Relations Advisor - 22.5 hours post

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Band 5, ER Advisor to join our new Employee Relations team.

This role is responsible for delivering the core functions of the employee relations team service model which will be implemented with effect from 1 st July 2026 across both Stockport & Tameside HR departments.

We are looking for values-driven professional, who is passionate about equalities, driving improvements and promoting excellence, who will help us to build a best-in-class HR Advisory Service.

Main duties of the job

You will work as part of the Employee Relations Team comprising of Senior ER Advisors and ER Manager and will be crucial in supporting the Team deliver a comprehensive and proactive HR service to Divisional Leads, Line Managers and staff. You will lead on providing support and guidance on a wide range of employment issues and support the Senior ER Advisors with disciplinary, capability, grievance, organisation change/restructures and HR Policy development and advise on NHS terms & conditions.

Working for our organisation

We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance – for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union– for local financial advice

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Possession of graduate membership of the CIPD or equivalent experience

Knowledge & Experience

• Good understanding of HR best practice and an up to date knowledge of employment legislation
• Understanding of the importance & requirements of Data Protection and Confidentiality
• Delivering front line advice and guidance to managers and staff on conditions of employment and employee relations issues
• Working in a challenging, busy HR environment with competing demands
• Good knowledge of NHS terms and conditions of employmentExperience of HR practice in the NHS and working in a unionised environment
• Previous experience of policy review, development and implementation

Skills & Abilities

• Able to use HR databases and information systems
• Good analytical skills with the ability to provide excellent management information as required
• Ability to use own initiative to interpret policies, procedures and situations in order to identify pragmatic solutions/ recommendations on a case-by-case basis
• Ability to manage time effectively through planning, organization & prioritising of workload
• Role models the Trust’s Behaviour Framework, promoting respectful, compassionate and inclusive behaviour at all times
• Demonstrates sensitivity and empathy when supporting managers and staff through complex or emotionally challenging situations.

Applicants are encouraged to read the documents attached to this vacancy before applying, including the job description and person specification and the information for applicants which includes useful information to assist you in completing your application.

From time to time we may need to close a vacancy early when in receipt of a sufficient number of applications.

Please note that all correspondence will be via your NHS Jobs account. Unfortunately we are not able to acknowledge each application. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. Please also note that Stockport NHS Foundation Trust are unable to refund Interview expenses or re-location costs.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting and championing a culture of diversity, fairness and equality for all applicants and employees. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds and we strive to reflect the community we serve in our diverse workforce. Our "two tick" kite mark guarantees a candidate with a disability, who fulfills the essential criteria, an interview at the Trust. We can make reasonable adjustments, and offer support and advice in a variety of ways on request.

At the Trust we always adhere to the UK Visas and Immigration rules pertaining to right to work; candidates who do not hold UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) citizenship are required to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to be eligible to apply for either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa which allows them to work in the UK, unless they have eligibility to work in the UK via another route.

To avoid disappointment, candidates wishing to apply for a role at the Trust who do not hold UK or Republic of Ireland citizenship and who would require a CoS from an employer, should carry out a self-assessment process to identify the likelihood of obtaining CoS by visiting Work in the UK.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to use AI when writing a job application, it is essential to personalise the content, particularly the supporting statement. AI cannot fully understand the specific context or requirements of a role and may generate inaccurate or misleading information. Over ‑ reliance on AI can reduce an applicant’s chances of success, as it cannot effectively demonstrate how individual knowledge, experience, and skills meet the job criteria. Applicants should ensure their statements reflect a personal voice and avoid a generic or robotic tone.
Please note that we monitor the use of AI in applications. Applicants who use AI are required to declare this as part of the application process.

Application numbers

The vacancy may close early if it attracts a high number of applications.