Assistant Employee Relations Manager

Band: 6

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Base Location: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Corporate Hub, Block 4000, Lakeside North Harbour, Western Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3EN

As the single corporate service will be delivered across both organisations, individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites.  The frequency and arrangements will be discussed on an individual basis and the staff mobility local agreement will apply.

This vacancy is open to employees of Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust only.

Are you an experienced HR professional passionate about fostering a fair, supportive, and high‑performing workplace culture?

We are seeking a proactive and skilled Assistant Employee Relations Manager to join our Employee Relations (ER) team, supporting both Isle of Wight NHS Trust (IWT) and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) as part of our Single Corporate Services model. As part of our single service offer, you will work across both Trusts and may be required to travel between sites as and when service needs arise. There is flexibility to work from home; however, the majority of your week will be on‑site, with an expectation of being present for at least three days per week

In this pivotal role, you’ll work closely with managers, staff, and ER colleagues to deliver expert advice on complex employment matters, promote a just and learning culture, and help ensure consistent, high‑quality ER services across both organisations.

About the Role

As the Assistant Employee Relations Manager, you will:

• Provide high‑quality, professional advice on a wide range of complex employee relations matters—including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, and organisational change.
• Lead and monitor ER casework, ensuring compliance with Trust policies, employment legislation, and expected timeframes.
• Support and develop ER Advisors, acting as a first point of guidance for complex or sensitive cases.
• Analyse ER data and identify trends to support continuous improvement and enhance management capability.
• Contribute to drafting and reviewing HR policies, ensuring alignment with best practice and regulatory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with managers and stakeholders to drive positive workplace outcomes.
• Deliver ER‑focused training sessions, supporting leadership development and cultural improvement.
• Support the preparation and presentation of reports to senior leaders, helping shape data‑informed decisions.
• Ensure strong coordination across both Trust sites to maintain consistent and effective office cover.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone ready to take the next step in their ER career, bringing energy, innovation, and compassionate leadership to a dynamic and forward‑thinking team.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Requirements

Experience

• Experience providing advice in a customer‑focused HR environment.
• Proven background handling complex ER issues such as disciplinary, grievance, ill‑health, organisational change, and TUPE.
• Demonstrable knowledge and interpretation of employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience facilitating conflict resolution, mediation, or difficult conversations.
• Experience delivering training and taking minutes at formal hearings.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of HR policies, procedures, current employment law, and ACAS Codes of Practice.
• Knowledge of NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) and Medical Terms & Conditions (or willingness to learn quickly).
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to build rapport and influence managers.
• Strong analytical and judgement skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and make informed decisions.
• Ability to prioritise work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and HR systems.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and a just and learning culture.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a collaborative Employee Relations team working across two progressive acute NHS Trusts.
• Play a key role in shaping a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace.
• Genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Work in a culture that values learning, compassion, and continuous improvement.

Please refer to the Job description for further details:

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
• CIPD Level 7 (postgraduate) qualification or equivalent.

Additional Information

As part of the Single Corporate Service, this role is a designated site-based role at Queen Alexandra Hospital, however the post holder will be part of the Corporate Service team which provides a service across both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

As the single corporate service will be delivered across both organisations, individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites.  The frequency and arrangements will be discussed on an individual basis and the staff mobility local agreement will apply.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

About the Company

Our vision for Single Corporate Services  
Isle of Wight NHS Trust (IWT) and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) have a shared vision of a single corporate service across our two organisations, supported by a single set of identical systems and processes, under joint leadership, to drive significant efficiencies, improve employee experience, and return time to patient care. 

This vacancy is part of the Single Corporate Services Division.

The vision for our single corporate services is to:

• Be an employer of choice for corporate talent, attracting and retaining people who share our values for excellence in care and welcome the opportunity to benefit from the broad range of flexible career and development opportunities we can offer.   
• Improve efficiency through simplified and standardised policies, processes, and systems, drawing on the best from both Trusts.  
• Do things once and reduce any duplication on transactional tasks giving corporate staff the ability to focus on higher value and more diverse activities.  
• Co-invest in the latest digital solutions and standardise our approach, meaning we do things once for both organisations. 
• Improve learning and development opportunities and sharing best practice, upskilling both Trusts.  
• Co-locate teams in purpose-built facilities on the Island and in Portsmouth to enable closer working and sharing.  
• Build resilience for individuals and our teams. 

As part of the Single Corporate Service, Employee Relations Team provides a service across both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and plays a vital role in creating a fair, supportive, and inclusive workplace culture.

Our team mission is to drive the delivery of high-quality employee relations services, provide specialist advice and support to managers, and ensure compliance with employment legislation and Trust policies.

We work closely with managers and staff to resolve issues constructively, promote wellbeing, and ensure consistent application of policies. From managing complex cases to developing people-related policies.

Our responsibilities includes advising line managers on various HR matters such as disciplinary actions, grievance resolutions, performance management, attendance issues, and conflict resolution. A core aspect of your role will be to enhance managerial capabilities and enabling them to address personnel and work environment challenges effectively.