Job Description

Are you a senior HR professional with a strong track record in managing complex employee relations and the performance of teams? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments and have a drive for developing supportive, just, and people-centred workplace cultures?



We're looking for an exceptional Employee Relations Lead to join our HR team and take ownership of delivering a high-quality, business-focused employee relations service that supports both our workforce and organisational goals.



In this key leadership role, you'll oversee the day-to-day management of our People Advisory Service, supporting the Trust with the resolution of a wide range of employee cases and providing strategic vision and pragmatic guidance to senior leaders.

You will:

Lead a team delivering expert Employee Relations advice and casework support across the Trust



Manage your own portfolio of highly complex employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals



Oversee reporting, analysis and trend identification, including cultural and EDI-related insights



Drive improvements in case management systems, ER processes and performance against KPIs



Ensure compliance with employment law and internal policies



Coach and upskill managers to handle ER matters confidently, focusing on early intervention and informal resolution



Work closely with senior stakeholders to embed a culture of fair, consistent and values-led people management



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 our Wellbeing 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.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



To have day to day responsibility for the provision and management of a first-class business focused professional HR advisory service with specific management responsibility for Employee Relations.



Oversee development, reporting and administration of ER case management to support effective ER (KPIs), ensuring targets are met and identify trends from a cultural and/or EDI perspective.



To manage and direct the workflow and processes within the wider ER Team supporting the workforce with complex and sometimes highly complex employee relation cases and queries.



Implement best practice systems, policies and processes that



ensure consistent, robust, and timely support to enable employee



relations cases to be managed efficiently, in line with agreed quality and



performance indicators.



To work with senior stakeholders to drive the application of best practice to embed good employee relations practice and HR policies and processes that create and add value to the delivery of patient care and overall performance of the Trust.



Ensure that employee relations practices limit risk and litigation claims. Quality check cases and relevant documentation for consistency in application, and compliance



with process and legislation



Working alongside the team and colleagues to further develop the skills and capability of managers, increasing confidence to focus on early intervention and informal resolution, where appropriate.



Manage a personal caseload of complex cases and Employment Tribunals , taking the lead on the most difficult and complex casework enabling the Trust's corporate aims and objectives to be achieved.