Head of Employee Relations

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days holiday (pro rata)

Generous pension

Flexible working

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is offering an exciting opportunity to lead our Employee Relations service. As Head of Employee Relations you will shape policy, manage complex ER cases, and work in partnership with unions to drive fair and constructive outcomes.

This permanent role sits within Band 8c and requires strong employment law knowledge, strategic leadership, and the ability to translate complex information into clear papers for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an Employee Relations function in a healthcare setting.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and NHS terms.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear papers and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ten-strong Employee Relations team to deliver proactive, compassionate ER support for around 13,000 staff.
• Provide ER advisory support to subsidiary companies and hosted services.
• Partner with Union colleagues to drive fair, consistent, and constructive ER outcomes.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

ER leadership

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Job description

Head of Employee Relations

The closing date is 01 November 2026

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Head of Employee Relations Contract Type: Permanent

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job

Passionate about Employee Relations? Commercially astute, with an excellent grasp of employment law, and the ability to manage complex medical ER cases? Shrewd negotiator who can translate complex information into digestible papers? If this sounds like you then our Head of Employee Relations role may be just the opportunity you are looking for.

Our ten-strong ER team provides a proactive and compassionate service to approximately 13,000 staff at UHS. It also delivers advice to our Subsidiary companies (e.g., UHS Estates Limited, UHS Hospital Pharmacy) and hosted services (e.g., Wessex Cancer Alliance, Health Innovation Wessex), who mainly work under NHS terms and conditions. We're seeking a leader to continue to develop the service, building on excellent foundations, focusing on providing fair, consistent and constructive ER, linked to strong partnership working with our Union colleagues.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro-rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Details

Date posted

13 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

Depending on experience £79,504 - £91,609 per annum pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

188-THQ081026

Job locations

Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Chief People Officer

Brenda Carter

[e-mail]

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

#s1-Gen

Passionate about Employee Relations? Commercially astute, with an excellent grasp of employment law, and the ability to manage complex medical ER cases? Shrewd negotiator who can translate complex information into digestible papers? If this sounds like you then our Head of Employee Relations role may be just the opportunity you are looking for.

Our ten-strong ER team provides a proactive and compassionate service to c.13000 staff at UHS. It also delivers advice to our Subsidiary companies (e.g. UHS Estates Limited, UHS Hospital Pharmacy) and hosted services (e.g. Wessex Cancer Alliance, Health Innovation Wessex), who mainly work under NHS terms and conditions. We're seeking a leader to continue to develop the service, building on excellent foundations, focusing on providing fair, consistent and constructive ER, linked to strong partnership working with our Union colleagues., As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.