Employee Relations Manager

Royal Devon; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension scheme

Blue Light Card

Cycle to work scheme

Nursery onsite Exeter

Job summary

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to support a Just and Learning culture across Devon. The role focuses on complex ER cases, disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance issues, liaising with legal advisers, and delivering in-house training for managers.

Based in Devon, the post is 32 hours per week within the Employee Support and Resolution Team, with a focus on safeguarding high-quality healthcare through effective

Qualifications

• Experience advising managers on complex ER cases and developing action plans.
• Ability to lead resolution discussions across departments with sensitivity to privacy and fairness.
• Experience linking with legal advisers on Employment Tribunal cases and training managers.

Responsibilities

• Advise managers on complex ER cases, highlighting issues and risks and creating action plans.
• Drive a Just and Learning culture, minimising punitive formal processes where possible.
• Coordinate with legal advisers on Tribunal cases and design in-house ER training for managers.
• Manage a varied caseload of disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance issues.

Skills

Employee relations

Disciplinary handling

Grievance resolution

Negotiation

Mediation

Stakeholder management

Job description

The role will involve you advising managers in relation to complex ER cases, highlighting key issues and risks from the information provided and developing action plans for the resolution of cases, where possible driving a Just and Learning culture, avoiding overly punitive formal processes. This may include conflict resolution through persuasion, negotiation and mediation in addition to formal procedures as required. The role may also involve the linking in with legal advisers on Employment Tribunal cases as well as the devising and implementing of in‑house training sessions for managers on a range of subjects.

About the Role

More detail about the role:

Are you looking for a career with a dynamic team aiming to drive forward a Just and Learning Culture?

Are you a highly skilled Employee Relations professional who is looking for a new challenge?

If so, we have an opportunity for a Band 7 Employee Relations Manager within our Employee Support and Resolution Team based in Devon. This role will support the Trust in providing safe, high quality healthcare across Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

As ER Manager you will work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders managing a complex and sensitive caseload of disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance issues that arise from departments/managers.

Working Pattern:32 hours per week

Interview Date:To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Nicola Ryan, Senior Employee Support and Resolution Manager on [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation TrustandNorthern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

For further information please refer to the Job description and Person Specification.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

• Salary Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata
• Frequency Annual
• Vacancy Reference 185-63303-14362
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 9 October, 2026
• Job Category Human Resources
• Location Newcourt House, Newcourt Drive, Old Rydon Lane, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom