Job summary
- Main area
- Employee Relations
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 193-8292956COR
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Employee Relations Advisor
NHS AfC: Band 6
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.
Job overview
Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional who enjoys resolving complex workplace issues, strengthening people-management capability and improving the working experience of colleagues across the organisation?
We are looking for two proactive and knowledgeable Senior Employee Relations Advisors to join our team, where your expertise will help managers navigate complex employee relations issues. These are excellent opportunities for solutions-focused employee relations professionals, with responsibility for managing casework and supporting organisational change. You will use your employment law knowledge and sound professional judgement to take on a varied and influential role, providing specialist advice across the Trust.
We have two positions available in our team and will consider working hours between 22.5 and 37.5 per week. Hybrid working is currently part of the working week with a mandatory requirement to be onsite 2-3 days per week.
Main duties of the job
In this role you will coach managers to address workplace issues fairly, confidently and aligned to the Trust CARE Values and the principles of a Just and Learning Culture. You will also provide guidance and support to more junior colleagues in the team and contribute to the development of people policies, practical ER resources and delivery of manager training, help to prepare employment tribunal casework and liaise with ACAS where required.
Using your expertise and building constructive working relationships with colleagues, staff side and operational managers at all levels, you will provide practical, risk-aware advice that supports sound decision-making and promotes positive employee relations throughout the organisation and helps deliver the Trust’s People Strategy.
Working for our organisation
Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full roles and responsibilities
Person specification
Education, qualification and training
Essential criteria
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Advanced Diploma in People Management, or equivalent, OR degree level (Level 5 or above) qualification in a relevant subject
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience sufficient to provide advice and support to managers and staff on all routine aspects of the role (including performance, conduct, employment law and people policies), without day-to-day supervision or direction, and the capacity to assist others where required.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to develop and maintain communication, both verbally and in writing, to all levels of staff about complex and difficult matters, and in sometimes difficult situations
- Sound knowledge of current employment law and the ability to interpret and apply it in the working environment
- Ability to gather, analyse, interpret and present reliable and relevant data and information in both electronic and paper-based sources
Desirable criteria
- One-to-one coaching and group facilitation skills, practised either in a work or non-work setting
- Knowledge of NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions, or those of a similar or public-sector organisation.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Naomi Harrison
- Job title
- Employee Relations Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0118 322 7845
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