ER Manager

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in London is seeking an experienced ER Manager to enhance staff and leader relations through best practices and innovation. You will oversee a dedicated team, providing expert guidance across the Trust. Responsibilities include leading complex cases, nurturing team dynamics, and implementing effective employee relations policies. The ideal candidate has significant experience in employee relations, excellent interpersonal skills, and a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Commitment to equality and diversity

Qualifications

• Significant experience in developing the ER function and line-managing staff.
• Proven track record of nurturing and developing new teams.
• Subject expert in employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex employee relations cases and advise managers.
• Line-manage Senior/Employee Relations Advisors.
• Oversee workload of ER Advisors and allocate new casework.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to build relationships

Conflict resolution approaches

Excellent IT skills

Job description

Overview

As ER Manager, you’ll bring significant employee relations expertise to improve the experience of our staff and leaders. You’ll lead a team delivering best‑in‑class ER support rooted in just culture and people‑first practices. Working closely with the Head of ER, you’ll provide specialist advice and resolution services across the Trust, while embracing innovation and cross‑organisational collaboration. This is a key leadership role for someone ready to shape the future of ER across a dynamic team.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and develop an effective specialist advisory service across the range of employee relations matters, ensuring the provision of professional, expert and technical guidance and support in line with policies and procedures.
• Facilitate and lead on complex employee relations cases, advising managers on best ER practice and ensuring advice given complies with good employment practice, employment legislation and Trust‑wide standards.
• Promote and utilise "Agreed Outcomes" to resolve formal cases quickly and effectively.
• Support the Head of ER in establishing systems for the effective management of Employment Tribunal claims and requests for employee‑relations related information, including Freedom of Information Requests.
• Line‑manage Senior/Employee Relations Advisors and oversee the performance and capability development of the ER Advisors, setting performance standards, promoting regular feedback, and carrying out annual PDRs.
• Hold responsibility for sickness absence monitoring, return‑to‑work interviews, approval of annual leave in line with Trust policies and procedures.
• Oversee workload of ER Advisors and allocate new casework appropriately.
• Implement and champion the Trust’s approach to resolution‑based outcomes, supporting managers through coaching, confident conversations and mediation.
• Support the implementation of the Trust’s mediation programme and oversee the service delivery.
• Oversee the development of documentation for managers and employees, supporting the creation and application of ER policy and process (policies, process maps, template letters, FAQs, guidance notes, etc.).
• Design, develop and implement structured training sessions for line managers on Employee Relations policies and procedures.
• Provide specialist advice and support on the MHPS process for medical staff.
• Ensure the MHPS case tracker is updated weekly or as required.
• Lead the production of all monthly ER reports, ensuring data are up to date and accurate.
• Assist the Head of ER in ensuring compliance with ER audits and that action plans are in place and completed.
• Maintain and update the HR policy tracker, ensuring policies are updated by nominated representatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Significant experience in developing the ER function and line‑managing staff.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across the Trust, including with Trade Union colleagues.
• Passion for just culture and the ability to design and implement inclusive conflict‑resolution approaches.
• Proven track record of nurturing and developing new enthusiastic teams.
• Subject expert in employee relations, capable of developing training programmes for managers and HR staff.
• Excellent IT skills, with the ability to manipulate data to create and display standard and ad hoc ER reports.
• NHS experience desirable, but not essential.

About the Trust

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of London’s most innovative NHS Trusts, recognised for its outstanding CQC ratings and exceptional staff. The Trust is part of the TRI collaborative arrangement with Imperial College Healthcare and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and operates two main acute hospital sites – Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital – along with award‑winning clinics across North West London. The Trust’s nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, children’s services, and specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates the Trust ‘Good’ in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and ‘Outstanding’ in leadership and resource use.

Other Information

Flexible working arrangements are welcomed. The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. Employment is subject to a six‑month probationary period.