Job summary
Head of Employee Relations
Band 8b | Based in Crawley : required regularly at SECAmb Regional Locations | Minimum 40% On-Site
Be the trusted voice. Shape the culture. Champion fairness.
At SECAmb, we're on a bold journey of cultural transformation -- and we need a Head of Employee Relations who's ready to lead from the front.
This is not a role for the faint-hearted. It's a rare opportunity to shape the future of employee relations in one of the country's most vital NHS services. You'll be stepping into a complex, high-pressure environment where legacy practices need to evolve -- and where your leadership can unlock lasting, meaningful change.
We're looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity, sees beyond the status quo, and brings both strategic vision and pragmatism. You'll need to balance the demands of reactive ER work with the drive to embed proactive, values-led approaches that support our people and strengthen our culture.
If you're ready to take on a big challenge for big impact -- and you're passionate about creating a fair, supportive, and inclusive workplace -- we want to hear from you.
Apply today via NHS Jobs / Trac Jobs and start your next meaningful leadership chapter at SECAmb.
Main duties of the job
You'll be a key player in our People Directorate, working closely with senior leaders and operational teams to:
- Lead and modernise our ER function, ensuring it's fit for the future.
- Champion fairness, inclusion, and early resolution in everything we do.
- Build capability and confidence across the organisation to manage people issues well.
- Influence and shape the wider transformation agenda through expert ER insight
At SECAmb, we're not just managing ER casework. We're actively shaping a compassionate, resolution-focused, people-first organisation. You'll:
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Lead a talented, specialist Employee Relations team, supporting over 4,500 staff.
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Be a strategic partner to senior leaders and trade union colleagues.
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Champion early resolution and meaningful partnership working.
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Influence and design organisational policy and people strategies.
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Manage complex and high-profile ER cases, change programmes and employment legal matters.
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Play a key role in workforce transformation, cultural initiatives and NHS-wide developments.
About us
- Option to join NHS pension scheme
- A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years' service.
- Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
- Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
- Access to occupational health and counselling services.
- Award winning wellbeing hub
- Back up buddy App
- Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Reporting directly to our Deputy Chief People Officer, youll:
- Deliver expert, forward-thinking advice on complex ER issues.Lead on high-risk employment matters, including Employment Tribunals.
- Shape and modernise our ER framework and case management approach.
- Build collaborative, proactive partnerships with trade union colleagues.
- Lead ER aspects of organisational change, TUPE, and restructures.
- Design, deliver and embed innovative people management training for leaders.
- Use data insights to identify ER trends and develop prevention strategies.
Were looking for a bold, confident, people-focused leader who can:
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Inspire trust and confidence in senior colleagues, staff, and union partners.
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Think strategically and act decisively in a high-pressure, public sector setting.
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Provide expert advice on complex, sensitive employment law matters.
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Balance compassion, fairness, and commercial risk management.
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Be an outstanding communicator, negotiator, and relationship-builder.
Essential:
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Chartered Member of the CIPD (or working towards it).
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Significant, senior-level ER experience in a large, unionised, complex organisation (NHS or public sector experience welcome but not essential).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Reporting directly to our Deputy Chief People Officer, youll:
- Deliver expert, forward-thinking advice on complex ER issues.Lead on high-risk employment matters, including Employment Tribunals.
- Shape and modernise our ER framework and case management approach.
- Build collaborative, proactive partnerships with trade union colleagues.
- Lead ER aspects of organisational change, TUPE, and restructures.
- Design, deliver and embed innovative people management training for leaders.
- Use data insights to identify ER trends and develop prevention strategies.
Were looking for a bold, confident, people-focused leader who can:
-
Inspire trust and confidence in senior colleagues, staff, and union partners.
-
Think strategically and act decisively in a high-pressure, public sector setting.
-
Provide expert advice on complex, sensitive employment law matters.
-
Balance compassion, fairness, and commercial risk management.
-
Be an outstanding communicator, negotiator, and relationship-builder.
Essential:
-
Chartered Member of the CIPD (or working towards it).
-
Significant, senior-level ER experience in a large, unionised, complex organisation (NHS or public sector experience welcome but not essential).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Chartered MCIPD) or able to evidence having commenced the upgrading process with CIPD or willing to undertake accreditation
- Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in relevant discipline
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of HR systems, Employment law, Employment Tribunal processes
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Chartered MCIPD) or able to evidence having commenced the upgrading process with CIPD or willing to undertake accreditation
- Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in relevant discipline
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of HR systems, Employment law, Employment Tribunal processes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
