Head of Employee Relations

Be the expert voice for fair, effective and robust employee relationsWe’re looking for a strategic, people‑centred HR leader to head our Operational HR portfolio and help deliver an efficient and effective HR approach across the Trust, reinforcing accountability through modernization of our Employee Relations (ER) practices.You’ll provide timely, expert advice to leaders and clinicians, partner closely with trade unions, and lead our Operational HR function to deliver a high‑quality, value‑for‑money service.Provide senior ER leadership and advice to executives, senior managers and clinicians, shaping strategy that aligns with Trust and Workforce & OD priorities.Lead the Operational HR and HR Support teams, ensuring processes, performance and value for money meet agreed standards and KPIs.Own complex ER casework and investigations, providing specialist advice and exercising high‑level communication, negotiation and influencing skills in sensitive, politically nuanced contexts.Partner with Trade Unions and the JNCC, negotiating policies and agreements in a constructive, partnership‑working framework.Lead policy development and implementation in response to new legislation, CQC/NHSE expectations and local needs; interpret complex guidance where precedent may not exist.Oversee employment tribunal risk and preparation, including liaison with solicitors.Support major organisational change, including restructures, redeployment, TUPE and terms‑and‑conditions changes; provide strategic oversight of job evaluation.Develop people leaders, designing and delivering specialist ER/ET training.About YouMCIPD (or equivalent) with active membership; educated to Masters level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior experience.Proven senior HR/ER leadership with deep, current employment law knowledge and experience of leading Operational HR in a complex setting.Experienced partnership‑builder with Trade Unions; confident negotiator who can challenge appropriately and build consensus.To find out more about what it is like to work for our Trust please visit the following link:https://yorkhospitals.pagetiger.com/hdjgxdOur benefitsWe offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)A generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss a potential relocation package, please speak to the recruiting department/manager.A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leaveConfidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance ProgrammeNHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme An extensive range of learning and development opportunitiesDiscounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providerFor further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Lydia Larcum Job title: Deputy Director of Workforce Email address: lydia.larcum@nhs.net Telephone number: 07766990477