Employee Relations Manager

This post is only open for applications from individuals employed within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board.

Organisations within scope are as follows:

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Isle of Wight NHS Trust

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum (effective from 01/04/2026)

Hours Per Week: 37.5 full time

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Base: Block 4000, Lakeside North Harbour, Western Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3EN

Are you an experienced HR professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for building positive, fair, and supportive working environments?

We are looking for a highly skilled and proactive Employee Relations Manager to join our dynamic Employee Relations (ER) team, supporting both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust as part of our Single Corporate Services model.

As part of our single service offer, you will work across both Trusts and may be required to travel between sites in line with service needs. There is flexibility for home working; however, you will be expected to be on site for at least three days per week to provide visible leadership and support.

About the Role

As an Employee Relations Manager, you will play a senior and influential role in shaping the delivery of high‑quality ER services across both Trusts. You will:

• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
• Provide expert guidance to managers on a wide range of HR issues, including disciplinary matters, grievances, sickness management, MHPS, performance concerns, and organisational change.
• Support and develop the Assistant ER Managers and ER Advisors, ensuring high standards of case management and continuous professional growth within the team.
• Represent HR in complex hearings and appeal panels, providing assurance of robust and fair processes.
• Build strong relationships with managers, leaders, Trade Union colleagues, and other stakeholders to deliver collaborative and solution‑focused outcomes.
• Drive process improvement, policy development, and best practice across ER operations.
• Present ER data, analysis, and trends at divisional and Trust-level meetings to support effective and informed decision‑making.
• Lead and deliver training programmes for managers to strengthen people management capability and embed a just and learning culture.
• Support the coordination and response to Employment Tribunal claims, Subject Access Requests (SARs), FOI requests, and police enquiries relating to investigations.
• Take responsibility for divisional ER leadership, reporting performance and ensuring alignment with Trust objectives.

Why Join Us?

• Influence and lead the delivery of ER services across two forward‑thinking NHS Trusts.
• Take on a senior and impactful role with opportunities to drive culture change and service improvement.
• Work in a supportive team that values expertise, collaboration, and innovation.
• Benefit from development opportunities within a large, integrated HR service.

This is a key leadership role, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on culture, capability, and staff experience across two large NHS organisations. If you are a confident HR professional with strong leadership capability and a drive to deliver high‑quality employee relations services, we would love to hear from you.

For additional information, please see attached Job description.