Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Head of Employee Relations
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Lead employee relations at scale.
Are you an experienced People professional looking for an opportunity to shape culture, influence strategy and make a meaningful difference across one of the UK’s largest healthcare providers?
We are seeking a Head of Employee Relations to lead our complex casework and employee relations function across one of the largest healthcare organisations in the South West.
Reporting to the Associate Director of People Services, you will provide strategic leadership for a high-performing team, ensuring timely, fair and compassionate management of complex employee relations matters, embedding Restorative, Just and Learning Culture, and balancing organisational risk and staff wellbeing.
What you'll be doing
As the Trust's senior employee relations authority, you will:
- Provide expert strategic advice to Executive Directors, senior leaders and managers on complex and high-risk employee relations matters.
- Lead the management of complex casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, whistleblowing and safeguarding-related matters.
- Oversee employment tribunal claims and legal case management, working closely with internal and external legal advisors.
- Drive the implementation of our Restorative, Just and Learning Culture approach, helping leaders resolve issues constructively and promote organisational learning.
- Use workforce data, insight and trends to influence strategic decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Lead the development of policies, frameworks and approaches that create a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace.
- Develop, coach and inspire a high-performing employee relations team, ensuring excellence in service delivery across the Trust.
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About you
We're looking for a highly skilled and influential People leader with significant experience operating at a senior level within a large, complex organisation. This includes:
- Chartered MCIPD status (or equivalent senior-level professional experience).
- Extensive experience leading employee relations services within a complex environment.
- Expert knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application.
- A proven track record of managing high-profile, sensitive and legally complex employee relations cases.
- Experience of employment tribunal preparation, case management and organisational risk mitigation.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to advise and challenge senior leaders.
- A passion for creating inclusive workplaces, continuous improvement and culture change.
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Working for Bristol NHS Foundation Trust:
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT) brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.
Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, BFT aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:
- Better outcomes for our Patients
- More opportunities for our People
- Fairer more consistent care for our Population
- Best Value for Public Purse
If you are an experienced employee relations leader who combines employment law expertise with strategic thinking, compassionate leadership and a passion for creating positive workplace cultures, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape a workplace where people can thrive, deliver outstanding care and achieve their full potential.
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