Head of Employee Relations

Head of Employee Relations – Band 8B

Kingston and Richmond Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Head of Employee Relations to lead our ER function and drive a fair, compassionate and high‑performing workforce culture across the Trust. This senior role provides both strategic influence and hands‑on leadership, ensuring the delivery of a high‑quality, customer‑focused HR advisory service that supports safe patient care and a positive staff experience. Working closely with the Deputy Chief People Officer, the wider people team and leaders across the organisation and beyond, this role will also play a pivotal role in developing and implementing our people strategy for all our people, in line with our ambition to deliver the best care to patients across our communities across integrated pathways both within and outside the hospital, in line with the 10-Year Plan.

About the role
The post holder will:

• Lead and develop the HR Advisory Team, ensuring consistent, compassionate and high‑quality ER support.
• Act as the Trust’s senior advisor on complex and high‑risk cases, including MHPS and ET preparation.
• Oversee Trust‑wide employment policies, ensuring they are modern, inclusive and aligned to a just and learning culture.
• Build management capability through training, coaching and guidance.
• Use ER data and metrics to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with staff‑side colleagues to maintain positive and constructive industrial relations.
• Provide senior HR input into organisational change programmes and culture‑building initiatives.

A great opportunity for career progression
This is an excellent step‑up opportunity for a senior ER or HR manager ready to progress to their first Head‑of‑level role. You will gain:

• Strong strategic exposure, working closely with the Deputy CPO, CPO and senior leaders.
• Greater autonomy to shape ER policy, culture and workforce practice.
• Experience leading Trust‑wide programmes and influencing organisational culture.
• A strong pathway towards future senior HR leadership posts

About you
We are looking for someone with:

• Significant employee relations leadership experience within the NHS.
• Expertise in managing complex cases, including MHPS.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and NHS T&Cs.
• Experience developing policies and delivering ER‑related training.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills.
• A compassionate, inclusive and values‑led approach to people management.

Please note all applications must be made directly via the link below

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9396-26-0183

Closing date is 22nd May

For further information
Please contact Sam Eales at Morgan Law – sameales@morgan-law.com / 07785 241 561.