Senior People Adviser

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Employee Relations professional for a hybrid role in Brighton, Worthing, or Chichester. The position requires providing specialized HR guidance and managing complex cases, contributing to improvements in employee relations across the Trust. Ideal candidates will have strong HR and employee relations experience and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
• HR experience including in an Employee Relations role.
• Knowledge of employment legislation and good practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive HR advice and support on employee relations issues.
• Manage a caseload of complex cases in an advisory capacity.
• Contribute to the development of employee relations case management.

Skills

HR advice experience

Employee relations knowledge

Coaching and training

Education

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Brighton / Worthing / Chichester Town Brighton Salary £37,338 - £44,962 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing Today at 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic and professional individuals who are fully qualified or working towards qualification with the CIPD to join our Employee Relations team. Previous NHS experience is preferred but not essential.

You will provide specialist advice and guidance to managers and employees regarding all employee relation issues (incorporating all staff, including Medical). This will include conduct and performance management, grievances, sickness and other absences in accordance with Trust policies, current legislation, the ACAS code of practice and other professional standards.

You will ensure effective and high quality evidence based investigations of conduct and other people related issues, ensuring that risks and issues are flagged in a timely manner

This role has a hybrid working pattern and is part office and part remote working. Your base will be one of our hospital sites in either Brighton, Worthing or Chichester.

Main duties of the job

The key elements of this role are to:

• Provide proactive and professional advice and guidance to managers and employees regarding all employee relation issues. This will include conduct and performance management, grievances, sickness and other absence in accordance with Trust Policies, current legislation, the ACAS code of practice and other professional standards.
• Support managers in providing effective and high quality evidence based investigations of conduct and other people related issues
• Contribute to the development and delivery of employee case management and inputting more widely into all employee relations case management across the Trust
• Support managers in using effective people management practices to improve service performance and productivity by using mediation and coaching techniques and developing and delivering training programmes.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide complex HR advice and guidance to staff and managers on workforce-related issues generated from enquiries which may be emailed, over the telephone or face to face. Very complex issues should be referred to an Employee Relations Manager or the Employee Relations Team Manager.

To provide appropriate HR support to managers to maintain a fair and consistent approach to all employee relation issues, including providing recommendations on the way forward where no precedent exists or options conflict.

Manage a caseload of highly complex employee relations cases in an advisory capacity ensuring they are handled appropriately and in a timely manner, including prioritizing work on a daily and ongoing basis and identifying and managing changing priorities.

Support managers in conducting investigations within agreed timescales and attending hearings which will include preparation for the investigation as well as assistance in producing investigation reports, management cases and other documentation. This will also require planning of investigation meetings, including liaising with external parties. Very complex investigations/hearings should be referred to an Employee Relations Manager.

To ensure partnership working between HR team and line managers on the management of sickness absence in order to reduce the levels of sickness absence and related costs.

Through liaison with other teams and directorate maintain an awareness of the local and national agenda

Engage in collaborate problem solving with co-workers and staff and other outside agencies.

Person specification

• • post grad qual or equiv exp
• • HR exp including in an ER role
• • Exp of advising on T&C and people policies and procedures
• • Knowledge of employment legislation and good practice
• • Exp of coaching/training managers in good people practice
• • Experience of working with trade unions
• • Experience of working in the NHS

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

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