Senior Employee Relations Advisor

Royal Berkshire; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Berkshire is seeking two Senior Employee Relations Advisors to resolve complex workplace issues, strengthen management capability and improve colleagues’ experience. Hybrid role with 2–3 mandatory onsite days per week, offering casework leadership and staff guidance across the Trust.

You will apply employment law knowledge and professional judgement to deliver specialist ER support, shaping people policies and manager training while guiding junior team members.

Qualifications

• Advanced CIPD diploma or degree-level qualification in a relevant subject.
• Experience advising managers on performance, conduct, employment law and people policies.
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff at all levels about complex matters.
• Knowledge of NHS Agenda for Change terms or similar public-sector conditions.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice on employee relations issues across the Trust.
• Coach managers to address workplace issues fairly and in line with CARE values.
• Support organisational change and development of people policies and manager training.
• Prepare employment tribunal casework and liaise with ACAS where required.

Skills

Communication skills

Employment law knowledge

Data analysis

Coaching & facilitation

Public sector knowledge

Education

CIPD Advanced Diploma / Degree (Level 5+)

Job description

Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional who enjoys resolving complex workplace issues, strengthening people-management capability and improving the working experience of colleagues across the organisation?

We are looking for two proactive and knowledgeable Senior Employee Relations Advisors to join our team, where your expertise will help managers navigate complex employee relations issues. These are excellent opportunities for solutions-focused employee relations professionals, with responsibility for managing casework and supporting organisational change. You will use your employment law knowledge and sound professional judgement to take on a varied and influential role, providing specialist advice across the Trust.

We have two positions available in our team and will consider working hours between 22.5 and 37.5 per week. Hybrid working is currently part of the working week with a mandatory requirement to be onsite 2-3 days per week.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will coach managers to address workplace issues fairly, confidently and aligned to the Trust CARE Values and the principles of a Just and Learning Culture. You will also provide guidance and support to more junior colleagues in the team and contribute to the development of people policies, practical ER resources and delivery of manager training, help to prepare employment tribunal casework and liaise with ACAS where required.

Using your expertise and building constructive working relationships with colleagues, staff side and operational managers at all levels, you will provide practical, risk-aware advice that supports sound decision-making and promotes positive employee relations throughout the organisation and helps deliver the Trust's People Strategy.

About us

Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full roles and responsibilities

Person Specification

Education, qualification and training

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Advanced Diploma in People Management, or equivalent, OR degree level (Level 5 or above) qualification in a relevant subject

Experience

• Experience sufficient to provide advice and support to managers and staff on all routine aspects of the role (including performance, conduct, employment law and people policies), without day-to-day supervision or direction, and the capacity to assist others where required.

Skills

• Ability to develop and maintain communication, both verbally and in writing, to all levels of staff about complex and difficult matters, and in sometimes difficult situations
• Sound knowledge of current employment law and the ability to interpret and apply it in the working environment
• Ability to gather, analyse, interpret and present reliable and relevant data and information in both electronic and paper-based sources
• One-to-one coaching and group facilitation skills, practised either in a work or non-work setting
• Knowledge of NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions, or those of a similar or public-sector organisation.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearper annum, pro rata