HR Manager

Charity Society; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known charitable organization in the UK is seeking an experienced HR Manager to enhance strategic workforce development efforts. The ideal candidate must possess substantial HR management experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for supporting others. Responsibilities include providing expert HR advice, resolving workforce issues, and driving organizational improvement through innovative HR practices. A master's level qualification and CIPD certification are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Substantial HR experience at management level is essential.
• Demonstrable line management experience of leading a team.
• Extensive experience of partnership working with trade union representatives.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with leaders to support workforce planning and transformation.
• Provide expert HR advice to support Care Groups and Corporate Services.
• Resolve complex workforce issues and improve employee relations.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Negotiation skills

Education

Masters level or equivalent HR qualification

Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management/CIPD

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for a forward‑thinking, experienced and highly motivated HR Manager to join our friendly team. The successful candidate will have a passion for helping others, excellent communication skills, and be able to effectively diagnose and engage strategic and operational workforce development input and support.

Job Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Trust leaders and other stakeholders to support the forward planning, modernisation, transformation, engagement and performance of the workforce, embedding good HR practice and raising people management capability within the organisation.
• Provide expert workforce advice supporting the provision of value for money services to Care Groups, Corporate Services and Subsidiary Organisations.
• Deliver strategic improvement plans encompassing best practice and the latest innovation in people practices.
• Act as the primary customer interface for Care Groups, Corporate Services and Subsidiary Organisations, representing the Workforce & OD portfolio.
• Resolve complex workforce issues, build staff engagement, implement successful workforce changes and improve KPIs across the employee relations portfolio.
• Analyse workforce data, interpret local intelligence, employee feedback and workforce trends/hotspots, and use evidence to drive organisational improvement.
• Support corporate HR projects, acquire improvement methodology knowledge and experience, and develop and deliver training sessions.
• Oversee timely employee relations caseload, escalating as necessary to ensure timely support and interventions.
• Lead on identified areas of HR such as highly specialist advice, analysis of complex HR decisions, interpretation of HR policies and strategies, and provide consultancy services.
• Provide specialist advice on complex and sensitive HR matters including resolutions/grievances, harassment, disciplinary, maintaining high professional standards (MHPS), appeals, performance management, change management, termination, health and well‑being concerns, TUPE transfers and redundancies.
• Ensure relevant HR issues such as sickness absence and performance are managed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Produce, analyse and monitor statistical information in relation to HR team activity, including performance against KPIs, themes and lessons learned, and present reports and appropriate narrative to Senior Management and across the Trust.
• Maintain legal compliance with current legislation related to Equality, Diversity and promote best practice.
• Design and deliver specialist training as required, and provide cover for colleagues across the Trust as necessary.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with Directors, Senior Managers and trade union representatives, and coordinate appropriate involvement of other agencies where required (e.g., ACAS, Professional Registration bodies).
• Direct line management, development and direction of HR staff, including absence management, recruitment, resolution/grievances and disciplinary issues, and allocation of work and authorised signatory for approval of travel expenses.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge – Essential

• High level of skills and knowledge of human resource management and evidence of introduction of best practice.
• Policy research and development.
• High level and comprehensive in‑depth knowledge of employment law and terms and conditions of service.
• Expertise in the interpretation and application of complex areas of employment law for example TUPE, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Ability to manage and deliver projects, including evidence of change management skills.
• High level of interpersonal, communication, negotiating and presentation skills.
• Ability to organise and prioritise a complex and varied workload to meet competing demands.
• Advanced user of Microsoft and computer products.
• Able to work independently and take accountability for own actions.
• Ability to act as conduit between Care Group/Corporate Services/Subsidiary Organisations and the Directorate to ensure excellent customer service and speedy resolution of issues.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and prioritise work.
• Ability to influence challenging behaviour and resolve complex relations.
• Ability to lead highly complex, highly sensitive employment issues in an effective, compassionate manner.
• Ability to support staff in relation to claims of serious harassment and/or discrimination.
• Demonstrates positivity and flexibility in approach.
• Effective report writing at a corporate level, ability to present, interpret and present data in a meaningful manner.

Special Skills & Knowledge – Desirable

• Knowledge of Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
• Knowledge of Medical and Dental terms and conditions.
• Knowledge and experience of Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS).

Special Requirements – Essential

• Able to travel across all Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.

Experience

Essential

• Substantial HR experience at management level.
• Demonstrable line management experience of leading a team.
• Demonstrable experience of advising disciplinary and appeal panels in relation to complex cases.
• Extensive experience of partnership working with trade union representatives.
• Experience of presenting key initiatives and complex information to a wider audience.
• Proven track record and experience of successful working with all levels of staff in a large, complex organisation including senior leaders.

Desirable

• Experience with a public sector multi‑site organisation.
• Experience of developing department plans and contributing to directorate strategy.
• NHS experience.
• Experience of developing and delivering training programmes.

Qualifications

Essential

• Masters level or equivalent acquired through degree and professional HR qualification plus additional training or equivalent experience.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management/CIPD.
• Regular updates in employment legislation and other HR related matters in accordance with CPD requirements.

Desirable

• Mediation training.
• Coaching training.
• Agenda for Change job evaluation training.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Employer Details

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/