Job overview

The purpose of the role is to deputise for the Head of Employee Relations and lead the line management of the advisory provision within the team. The role will ensure the provision of an effective, comprehensive and professional employee relations advisory service, ensuring on an ongoing basis that the team are effectively equipped, trained and competent in their duties. The role holder will be the demonstrable example of high quality and timely advice through all mediums. The role will particularly focus on ensuring a high quality of service provision and will develop means of ensuring this is maintained at a high level across the team.

Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS.

Main duties of the job

To provide team management leadership, support, guidance and mentorship to direct reports within the Employee Relations team.

Carry own caseload and support managers and the team with all types of ER casework, including but not limited to disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, sickness absence, performance management and MHPS cases, including supporting managers in the preparation of cases at all stages of the procedure as needed.

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below