Strategic Head of Employee Relations

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for Head of Employee Relations. The role leads a ten-strong ER team serving ~13,000 staff, delivering fair, constructive ER and strong partnership with unions. Hybrid working is available, with a focus on strategic leadership and complex case resolution.

You will bring extensive HR leadership, deep knowledge of UK employment law and a track record of shaping organisation-wide ER strategy and policy in a large NHS setting.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent demonstrated knowledge and experience.
• Chartered CIPD membership and professional HR qualification.
• Masters-level specialist HR knowledge through postgraduate study or equivalent.
• Formal management or leadership qualification.
• Employment law qualification and agenda for change evaluation training.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Employee Relations function within a large, complex organisation.
• Provide strategic employment law advice and manage high-stakes ER cases.
• Collaborate with unions, stakeholders and senior governance forums to shape policy.
• Oversee service performance, budget and team development, with strong partnership working.

Skills

Leadership

Employment law

Negotiation

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Chartered Membership of the CIPD

Masters-level HR knowledge

Chartered Fellow of the CIPD

Formal management or leadership qualification

Training or accreditation in psychometric or development tools

Employment law qualification

Qualified Agenda for Change job evaluator

Job description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for Head of Employee Relations. The role leads a ten-strong ER team serving ~13,000 staff, delivering fair, constructive ER and strong partnership with unions. Hybrid working is available, with a focus on strategic leadership and complex case resolution.

You will bring extensive HR leadership, deep knowledge of UK employment law and a track record of shaping organisation-wide ER strategy and policy in a large NHS setting.