HR Manager

NHS; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a motivated HR Manager to provide leadership and HR advice across the Trust. The successful candidate will possess substantial employee relations experience and excellent communication skills. This role involves collaborating with senior leaders to enhance workforce performance and implementing strategic HR initiatives aimed at improving employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. The position offers a competitive salary and requires full-time commitment with flexibility for working patterns.

Qualifications

• Substantial HR experience at management level.
• Line management experience leading a team.
• Demonstrable experience advising on complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert workforce advice and support to Trust leaders.
• Collaborate to implement workforce planning and performance strategies.
• Manage relations and resolve complex employee issues.

Skills

Human resource management

Employee Relations

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Data analysis

Education

Masters level or equivalent HR qualification

Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management/CIPD

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

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.

As a people professional you will be pro‑active and pragmatic with a broad range of Employee Relations experience who shares our passion for delivering outstanding services. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Team and Trust to provide leadership to the HR Team and provide professional and responsive HR advice and support to Care Groups, Corporate Departments and our Subsidiary Organisation.

Your operational knowledge and experience together with your ability to establish and maintain good working relationships and influence at a senior level will enable you to be successful in this role.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve working as an integral member of the Workforce Directorate, contributing to the delivery of services and the Trust's People Matter Strategy. You will 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.

In line with People Matter Strategic Plans, you will collaborate with other members of the Workforce and OD Directorate service in developing initiatives that create and add value to our peoples workforce experience, the overall performance of the Trust and ultimately supporting our workforce to delivery high quality patient care.

You must be able to demonstrate your experience of providing professional senior HR advice and support to Trust leaders to assist them to achieve their workforce priorities. This includes having substantial prior experience of resolving a range of complex workforce issues, building staff engagement, implementing successful workforce changes, and improving KPIs across the employee relations portfolio.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre‑employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI‑generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up‑to‑date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 – Healthcare assistants – You must have been employed for a minimum of two years as an HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria an have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Details

Date posted: 12 January 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working

Reference number: C9439‑2526‑1303

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX

Job responsibilities

Working knowledge of current employment legislation and experience of proactively resolving complex employee relations queries. You will possess excellent negotiating, influencing and communication and IT skills.

Experience of analysing workforce data, together the ability to interpret local intelligence, employee feedback and workforce trends / hotspots. Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering strategic improvement plan encompassing best practice and the latest innovation in people practices.

There will be opportunities to support corporate HR projects, acquire improvement methodology knowledge and experience, and to develop and deliver training sessions.

To act as the primary customer interface with Care Groups, Corporate services and Subsidiary Organisations representing the Workforce & OD portfolio.

Provide expert workforce advice supporting the provision of value for money services.

Building an in depth understanding of the services provided by CDDFT.

Take ownership of Workforce & OD actions / responsibilities to effectively support Care Groups, Corporate Services and Subsidiary Organisations to support resolution of employee relations matters, acting on feedback as part of our continuous learning culture.

Oversight of timely employee relations caseload, escalating as necessary to ensure timely support and interventions.

To contribute to the development and delivery of Workforce & OD Directorate and Care Group/Corporate Service plans and programmes as identified within key objectives.

To take lead responsibility on an identified area of HR including the provision of highly specialist advice, analysis of complex HR decisions, interpretation of HR policies and strategies, provide consultancy services, plan and organise complex activities and programmes including change management activities.

Provide specialist advice to managers on highly complex and highly sensitive Human Resources related issues such as resolutions / grievances, harassment, disciplinary, Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS), appeals, capability/performance management, management of change, termination of employment, health and well‑being concerns, TUPE transfers and redundancies.

Ensure that relevant HR issues such as sickness absence, capability/performance etc are managed in an appropriate and timely manner ensuring our people are at the fore‑front of all we do.

Analysis and monitoring of workforce statistics for designated Care Group, Corporate Services and Subsidiary Organisations to identify areas where improvements could be made and work with the aligned area Managers to address issues.

Produce, analyse and monitor statistical information in relation to HR Team activity including performance against KPIs, themes/trends and lessons learned on a regular basis.

Presentation of reports including statistical information and appropriate narrative to Senior Management Team and across the Trust on a regular basis.

Provide specialist advice to managers in respect of reasonable course of action in dealing with employment matters guided by broad employment legislation or external reference points (e.g. personal update in current case law).

Ensure disciplinary, resolution / grievance matters and appeals are heard fairly and in accordance with Trust Policy and current employment legislation requirements and provide direction regarding appropriate outcomes in disciplinary matters.

Provide guidance to managers regarding terms and conditions as applicable to all employees (both medical and non‑medical), people centric employment practices and employment law.

Provide guidance and support to staff as required in a range of employment matters, many of which are highly sensitive.

Provide evidence and preparation for Employment Tribunals. In the absence of the Head of WF&OD communicate effectively with Court and and legal representatives for all parties on behalf of the Trust.

Contribute towards the development and implementation of employment policies and procedures to reflect best practice and employment legislation.

To lead in specific identified project areas as appropriate.

Participate in the development and implementation of any Directorate strategies and contribute to the achievement of National and Trust WF&OD and Human Resource initiatives as they arise.

Undertake workforce planning initiatives to pro‑actively analyse areas and issues of concern and recommend actions as appropriate.

Develop a thorough understanding of business plans and people issues to ensure that their workforce requirements are identified and workforce support are planned and delivered on a timely basis.

Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Directors, Senior Managers and work in partnership with local and full‑time Trade Union representatives.

Co‑ordinate appropriate involvement of other agencies where required (e.g. ACAS, Trade Unions, and Professional Registration bodies).

Direct line management, development and direction of HR staff including absence management in accordance with Trust policy, recruitment and selection of staff, resolution / grievances and disciplinary issues. Allocation of work and authorised signatory for approval of travel expenses.

To ensure the Trust is legally compliant with current legislation related to Equality and Diversity and promote best practice.

Give advice and guidance on job evaluation and participate in the evaluation of job roles in accordance with national and locally agreed procedures.

Design and deliver specialist training as required.

Provide cover for colleagues across the Trust as necessary and at the demands of the service.

To keep updated in all issues/areas of knowledge relevant to the post.

The team has embraced agile working including working from home, however have an office based at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Travel is required across all Trust sites.

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/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, to 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.
• Demonstrate positivity and flexibly in your approach.
• Effective report writing at a corporate level, ability to present, interpret and present data in a meaningful manner.

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.

Statutory Registration (Desirable)

• CIPD.

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

• 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 Qualifications

• 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.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

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/