People Relations and Culture Specialist

NHS; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Manchester is seeking a People Relations and Culture Specialist. The role involves providing expert support on employee relations matters, managing conflicts, and promoting an inclusive workplace. Ideal candidates will have strong HR expertise and knowledge of UK employment law. The position offers a flexible hybrid work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Supportive Team Culture

Flexible & Hybrid Work Environment

Professional Growth

Inclusive Workplace

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent) with solid HR knowledge and experience.
• Experience managing complex and sensitive employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert advice and coaching on complex employee relations issues.
• Supporting managers with casework escalated from the People Hub.
• Contributing to policy reviews and improvements.

Skills

HR Expertise

Legal Know-How

Clear Communicator

Restorative Mindset

Casework Confidence

Data-Informed

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

Overview

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is hiring a People Relations and Culture Specialist. The closing date is 30 September 2025.

Are you an experienced HR professional with a passion for fair, values-led employee relations? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you.

As our People Relations and Culture Specialist, you'll play a key role in delivering expert support across a wide range of employee relations matters—from sickness absence and grievances to disciplinary cases and informal conflict resolution. You will be a trusted advisor, helping managers navigate challenging situations with confidence and compassion, while promoting our Just and Restorative Learning approach.

Working closely with the People Hub, Staff Networks, Trade Unions, and Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, you'll help foster a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace. Your work will directly impact the colleague experience and ensure our people practices are fair, consistent, and aligned with NICE values.

Main duties

• Providing expert advice and coaching on complex employee relations issues, including sickness absence, grievances, and disciplinary cases.
• Supporting managers with casework escalated from the People Hub and developing local wellbeing plans.
• Promoting informal resolution and restorative conversations as first-choice mechanisms.
• Collaborating with Staff Networks, Trade Unions, and Freedom to Speak Up Guardians to triangulate soft intelligence and improve colleague experience.
• Maintaining and improving casework trackers and databases to support accurate reporting and trend analysis.
• Contributing to policy reviews and improvements through a restorative and just lens.
• Supporting the delivery of EDI strategies and contributing to culture change initiatives.
• Acting as a cultural ambassador, promoting psychological safety and inclusive leadership.

About us

As part of the People team and wider Facilities, Improvement & People Directorate, we've achieved:

• Elevated Engagement: We have become the top-performing team in the organisation.
• Driven Real Change: By embedding a restorative, just, and learning culture, we are transforming the workplace.
• Strengthened Union Partnerships: We foster collaboration and mutual respect.
• Championed Inclusivity: Our commitment to diversity has led to measurable improvements.

Join Our Team - What we can offer you:

• Supportive Team Culture: Your voice matters and open communication is encouraged.
• Flexible & Hybrid Work Environment: Work from home and in our offices in Manchester city centre and Stratford, London.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Inclusive Workplace: Be part of a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels valued.

Want to Learn More? For further information on this opportunity, contact Jools Steadman, Head of People Relations and Culture, at [e-mail]. Jools is eager to discuss how you can be part of our dynamic team.

Job responsibilities

To be considered for this role, please demonstrate the person specification criteria in your application. You should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria throughout the recruitment process.

What you’ll bring:

HR Expertise: CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent), with solid HR knowledge and experience. Legal Know-How: Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice. Clear Communicator: Able to explain complex issues clearly, both in writing and in person. Restorative Mindset: Emotionally intelligent with a passion for fair, values-led people practices. Casework Confidence: Skilled in managing multi-strand and contentious employment cases. Data-Informed: Confident using data to spot trends and drive continuous improvement.

Person specification

Education

• Degree level education or equivalent demonstrable experience in a similar role

Experience

• Proven experience managing complex and sensitive employee relations cases (e.g. sickness absence, grievances, disciplinary matters)
• Experience advising managers on formal people relations meetings including appeals, dismissals, and Employment Tribunals
• Experience using case management systems (e.g. Case Tracker) to analyse trends and outcomes

Skills

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Clear communication of complex information, verbally and in writing
• Emotional intelligence and ability to apply restorative approaches to conflict resolution

Other

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and psychologically safe working environments

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence