People Relations Manager (NHS AfC: Band 7) - HR - South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Founda[...]

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Crawley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional ambulance service provider is seeking a People Relations Manager to lead employee relations casework and support strategic HR projects. The ideal candidate will have significant HR experience, in-depth knowledge of employment law, and a commitment to building a positive workplace culture. This permanent, full-time role is based in Crawley and offers competitive benefits including NHS pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

NHS pension scheme

27 days' holiday

Training opportunities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Occupational health services

NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HR/ER role, ideally in a complex or unionised setting.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and employee relations practice.
• A values-driven leader who thrives on building trust and solving problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage employee relations casework across the division.
• Provide specialist HR advice on complex and sensitive issues.
• Support strategic people projects and policy development.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Coaching mindset

Negotiation skills

Influencing skills

Education

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent

Job description

Employer: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

People Relations Manager

NHS AfC: Band 7

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has a vision to ‘support our staff to provide a caring, high quality and efficient urgent and emergency care service to our communities’. We are rated ‘Good’ for care by the Care Quality Commission and our aim is to continually improve and to reach outstanding across all areas of the Trust.

We provide services to 4.9m people across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and North East Hampshire. We handle over 1 million calls to 999 and 1 million calls to NHS 111 every year.

Job overview

People Relations Manager (Band 7)

This is a permanent, full-time role based in Crawley, with regular attendance at SECAmb Regional Locations and a minimum of 40% on-site attendance.

We are seeking a passionate HR professional with strong employee relations expertise, a coaching mindset and a drive for developing supportive, just, and people-centred workplace cultures.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and manage employee relations casework across the division.
• Provide specialist HR advice on complex and sensitive issues.
• Support strategic people projects, policy development, and workforce transformation initiatives.
• Lead and develop a small team, building capability and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Collaborate with staff-side colleagues and stakeholders to promote positive employee relations and partnership working.

What we offer

• Option to join NHS pension scheme.
• A minimum of 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years’ service.
• Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
• Access to occupational health and counselling services.
• NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience in a senior HR/ER role, ideally in a complex or unionised setting.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and employee relations practice.
• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent, or willingness to work towards within 12 months.
• Strong influencing, coaching, and negotiation skills.
• A values-driven leader who thrives on building trust, supporting people, and solving problems.

Equal opportunities

The Trust is passionately committed to being an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief.