Job summary
People Relations Manager (Band 7)
Band 7 | Based in Crawley: regular attendance at SECAmb Regional Locations | Minimum 40% On-Site
Contract Type: Permanent | Full Time
Are you a passionate HR professional with strong employee relations expertise, a coaching mindset and a drive for developing supportive, just, and people-centred workplace cultures? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a People Relations Manager to join our People Services team at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb). Working closely with the Senior Employee Relations Manager, you'll manage complex employee relations (ER) casework and a small team of Senior People Advisors, ensuring timely, fair, and legally compliant resolutions.
This is a vital leadership role, championing restorative, kind and courageous approaches, working in partnership with Trade Union colleagues and senior managers across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
What you'll be doing...
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Lead and manage employee relations casework across your division, applying a learning and resolution-focused culture.
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Provide specialist HR advice on complex and sensitive issues, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, and performance matters.
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Support strategic people projects, policy development, and workforce transformation initiatives.
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Lead and develop a small team, building capability and ensuring high-quality, consistent service delivery.
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Collaborate with staff-side colleagues and stakeholders to promote positive employee relations and partnership working.
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
What Were Looking For
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Significant experience in a senior HR/ER role, ideally in a complex or unionised setting.
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In-depth knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and employee relations practice.
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CIPD Level 7 or equivalent, or willingness to work towards within 12 months.
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Strong influencing, coaching, and negotiation skills.
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A values-driven leader who thrives on building trust, supporting people, and solving problems.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Were Looking For
-
Significant experience in a senior HR/ER role, ideally in a complex or unionised setting.
-
In-depth knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and employee relations practice.
-
CIPD Level 7 or equivalent, or willingness to work towards within 12 months.
-
Strong influencing, coaching, and negotiation skills.
-
A values-driven leader who thrives on building trust, supporting people, and solving problems.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent OR willingness to complete within 12 months
- Master's degree in HR, Law, Business OR equivalent experience
- Evidence of continued professional development in HR/ER
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of HR strategy and policy development in a complex setting
- Deep understanding of UK employment law (Equality Act, H&S, etc.)
- Understanding of ACAS Code and its practical application
- Awareness of NHS frameworks, AFC, pensions, collective agreements
Experience
Essential
- Senior HR/ER or Policy Advisory experience
- Managing complex ER cases and organisational change
- Experience handling performance, grievance, absence, TU engagement
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent OR willingness to complete within 12 months
- Master's degree in HR, Law, Business OR equivalent experience
- Evidence of continued professional development in HR/ER
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of HR strategy and policy development in a complex setting
- Deep understanding of UK employment law (Equality Act, H&S, etc.)
- Understanding of ACAS Code and its practical application
- Awareness of NHS frameworks, AFC, pensions, collective agreements
Experience
Essential
- Senior HR/ER or Policy Advisory experience
- Managing complex ER cases and organisational change
- Experience handling performance, grievance, absence, TU engagement
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).
