Head of Employee Relations

HCA Healthcare UK; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Head of Employee Relations to shape and deliver their employee relations strategy. This pivotal role involves leading programs and policies impacting thousands of colleagues, providing strategic advice on complex cases, and ensuring compliance with employment law. The ideal candidate has significant HR experience, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to influence at all organizational levels. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits within a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career progression opportunities

Access to world-class training

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.

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.
• Keep HR policies up to date with legal and organisational changes.

Skills

Senior HR experience

Knowledge of employee relations

Team leadership

Negotiation skills

Relationship-building

Strategic thinking

Job description

Position

Head of Employee Relations

Location

London (HCA Corporate head office)

Salary

Competitive + benefits

Why Join HCA UK?

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.

About the Role

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.

Duties and 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.

Skills and experience

• 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.