Job summary
The purpose of the role is to deputise for the Head of Employee Relations and lead the line management of the advisory provision within the team. The role will ensure the provision of an effective, comprehensive and professional employee relations advisory service, ensuring on an ongoing basis that the team are effectively equipped, trained and competent in their duties. The role holder will be the demonstrable example of high quality and timely advice through all mediums. The role will particularly focus on ensuring a high quality of service provision and will develop means of ensuring this is maintained at a high level across the team.
Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS.
Main duties of the job
To provide team management leadership, support, guidance and mentorship to direct reports within the Employee Relations team.
Carry own caseload and support managers and the team with all types of ER casework, including but not limited to disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, sickness absence, performance management and MHPS cases, including supporting managers in the preparation of cases at all stages of the procedure as needed.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full membership of CIPD (MCIPD) or eligible to apply for this status
- Educated to a post graduate level or equivalent or significant work related experience
Experience
Essential
- Senior HR experience including staff management and professional mentorship of staff
- Implementing HR best practice, corporate policy and programmes including policy development
- Trade union consultation, negotiation and partnership working
- Highly specialist knowledge of ER casework. Demonstrable success in managing change and resolving conflict
- TUPE
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Job evaluation
- Employment legislation
- NHS People Plan
- In depth working knowledge of NHS Terms and Conditions of Service
Skills
Essential
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Facilitation and training skills
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise
- Ability to establish credibility and good relationships with internal and external staff including managers, clinician and staff and manage those relationships with sensitivity and diplomacy
- Ability to express complex issues both verbally and in writing in an easily understood manner for a range of audiences with clear and confident presentation skills
- Advanced communication, facilitation, training and presentation skills
- High level of computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Standard Keyboard skills
Desirable
- Coaching/Mentoring/Mediation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full membership of CIPD (MCIPD) or eligible to apply for this status
- Educated to a post graduate level or equivalent or significant work related experience
Experience
Essential
- Senior HR experience including staff management and professional mentorship of staff
- Implementing HR best practice, corporate policy and programmes including policy development
- Trade union consultation, negotiation and partnership working
- Highly specialist knowledge of ER casework. Demonstrable success in managing change and resolving conflict
- TUPE
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Job evaluation
- Employment legislation
- NHS People Plan
- In depth working knowledge of NHS Terms and Conditions of Service
Skills
Essential
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Facilitation and training skills
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise
- Ability to establish credibility and good relationships with internal and external staff including managers, clinician and staff and manage those relationships with sensitivity and diplomacy
- Ability to express complex issues both verbally and in writing in an easily understood manner for a range of audiences with clear and confident presentation skills
- Advanced communication, facilitation, training and presentation skills
- High level of computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Standard Keyboard skills
Desirable
- Coaching/Mentoring/Mediation
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
