Head of Employee Relations

HCA HEALTHCARE UK; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking an Employee Relations Lead to shape and deliver their employee relations strategy. You will lead programs impacting thousands of colleagues, provide strategic advice on complex HR issues, and manage a team of ER Business Partners. The successful candidate will have significant HR experience, strong leadership skills, and strategic negotiation abilities. This role offers extensive opportunities for career growth in a renowned healthcare setting.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

Access to world-class training

Wellbeing-focused culture

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HR role with a focus on employee relations and employment law.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage change effectively.
• Strong negotiation and strategic thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high-quality, professional ER service to managers and HR colleagues.
• Lead and inspire a team of ER Business Partners.
• Negotiate settlement agreements and liaise with legal teams.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Influencing skills

Job description

This is your chance to take a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our employee relations strategy. Reporting to the Director of Employee Relations, you'll lead programmes, policies, and procedures that impact thousands of colleagues across HCA UK. You'll provide strategic, pragmatic advice on complex cases, including investigations, grievances, disciplinaries, restructures, and redundancies-ensuring fairness and consistency while balancing commercial outcomes.,

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high-quality, professional ER service to managers and HR colleagues.
• Lead and inspire a team of ER Business Partners, supporting operational managers on complex cases.
• Spot patterns and risks, translating insights into actionable plans that tackle root causes.
• Keep HR policies up to date with legal and organisational changes.
• Act as HR lead on acquisitions and TUPE transfers, including due diligence and transition planning.
• Draft and update key policy documents and template letters.
• Negotiate settlement agreements and liaise with legal teams on ACAS matters.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HR role with deep knowledge of employee relations and employment law.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage organisational change.
• Strong influencing and relationship‑building skills at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with excellent negotiation skills.
• Healthcare experience is a plus, but not essential.
• Experience working with regulators, professional bodies, and trade unions is highly desirable.

Benefits

For over 50 years, HCA has been a global leader in healthcare. In the UK, we're one of the largest providers of privately funded healthcare, investing over £500 million in cutting‑edge treatments, technology, and facilities. As part of our team, you'll enjoy unrivalled opportunities for career progression, access to world‑class training, and a culture that prioritises your wellbeing.