Senior Employee Relations (ER) Advisor

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Band 6, Senior ER Advisor in the Employee Relations team. The postholder will provide professional ER advice and guidance to managers and lead on complex cases for their respective division, support on training as well as partner with the HR Business Partners to provide ER support. This is a opportunity for CIPD accredited HR professional. Appropriate training and support will be provided.

Main duties of the job

The Senior Employee Relations Adviser provides high-quality, specialist employee relations advice and support to managers across the Trust. The post holder will manage a varied and complex ER caseload, including matters that may progress to formal hearings, dismissal, organisational change, TUPE and employment litigation. The role requires sound professional judgement, a strong understanding of employment law and NHS people management practice, and the ability to provide clear, proportionate and legally informed advice.The post holder will proactively oversee and progress multiple ER cases, supporting managers with investigations, hearings, appeals, informal resolution, sickness absence management, dignity at work concerns, grievances, disciplinary matters, performance, probation, flexible working and other complex employment issues.The post holder will promote fair, inclusive and values-led employment practice, ensuring that advice and decision-making reflect equality, diversity and inclusion principles, psychological safety, employee wellbeing, patient safety and organisational risk.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Associate CIPD membership and CIPD Level 5 Intermediate qualification, or CIPD Level 3 Foundation qualification with a degree, or equivalent experience and training.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in employee relations, employment law, HR practice or a related area.

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of managing a diverse and complex employee relations caseload, including investigations, hearings, appeals and cases with potential dismissal outcomes.
• Experience of interpreting, applying and advising on HR policies, employment law and good practice across the full range of ER matters, with the ability to recommend improvements to policy, process and practice.
• Experience of supporting organisational change, including consultation, restructures, redeployment, redundancy or TUPE-related activity.
• Experience of using electronic case management systems or trackers to record, monitor, manage and report on ER activity.

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience of managing medical ER matters under Maintaining High Professional Standards and advising on medical terms and conditions.
• Experience of working in a unionised environment and engaging constructively with Staff Side or Trade Union representatives at local or regional level.
• Experience of supporting ACAS Early Conciliation or Employment Tribunal matters.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Strong specialist knowledge of current employment law, ER practice, NHS people management processes and the practical application of fair and legally defensible employment decision-making.
• Ability to communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing, including preparing reports, hearing papers, case summaries, presentations and training materials.
• Ability to analyse ER data, case themes and workforce information to identify patterns, risks, causes and improvement opportunities.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS terms and conditions, Agenda for Change and local workforce policies.
• Training or experience in NHS Agenda for Change job evaluation.

Other

Essential

• Flexible approach to work, including willingness to travel to any Trust site as required to meet service needs.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office and other digital systems, with the ability to maintain accurate records, produce reports and use digital tools to support efficient ER practice.

About the employer

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.