Job summary
- Main area
- People relations and culture
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Compressed hours
- Job ref
- 907-768-A
- Employer
- NICE - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- 3rd Floor
- Town
- Manchester
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 03/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

People Relations and Culture Lead
NHS AfC: Band 7
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance and advice on promoting high quality health, public health and social care.
As an equal opportunities employer we are committed to creating a inclusive environment and welcome everyone from all backgrounds to apply so we can continue to create a workforce which is representative of the communities we serve.
If you are suitably qualified and have an interest in remote, hybrid, full time or part time working we encourage you to get in touch as we are happy to discuss potential flexible working opportunities.
We have modern offices in Manchester city centre and Stratford, London. Please take into consideration that you may be required to commute to one of our offices for business purposes if necessary.
Job overview
As our People Relations and Culture Team Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering strategic and operational excellence across employee relations, organisational development, and cultural transformation. Reporting to the Head of People Relations and Culture, you’ll lead a team of specialists and work collaboratively across NICE to embed a Just and Restorative culture aligned with our values.
You’ll be a trusted advisor, coach, and influencer—supporting leaders through complex people matters, driving forward our EDI and wellbeing agendas, and ensuring our people policies and practices are progressive, fair, and legally sound.
You’ll also be responsible for developing and coaching a high-performing team, creating a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and psychological safety. Your leadership will empower others to grow, innovate, and deliver excellent people services across the organisation.
Main duties of the job
As a strategic partner and expert in people relations, you’ll lead a team of specialists to deliver high-impact HR and cultural initiatives across NICE. You’ll play a key role in embedding a Just and Restorative culture, ensuring legal compliance, and fostering positive, values-driven working relationships.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading, coaching, and developing a team of People Relations and OD/Culture specialists.
- Providing expert advice on complex employee relations issues and organisational change.
- Championing psychologically safe environments and informal conflict resolution.
- Designing and delivering cultural change interventions and leadership development.
- Using data and KPIs to inform strategy, identify risks, and measure impact.
- Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders including Trade Unions and Freedom to Speak Up Guardians.
Working for our organisation
As part of the People team and wider Facilities, Improvement & People Directorate, we’ve achieved:
- Elevated Engagement: We've soared to new heights, as the leading Directorate to become the top-performing team in the organisation!
- Driven Real Change: By embedding a Restorative, Just, and Learning Culture, we've made a tangible impact that's already transforming our workplace.
- Strengthened Union Partnerships: We've turned challenges into opportunities, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.
- Championed Inclusivity: Our commitment to diversity and representation has led to measurable improvements, making our team more inclusive than ever before.
What we can offer you:
- Supportive Team Culture: We believe in lifting each other up and encouraging open communication. Here, your voice truly matters!
- Time to Recharge: Start with 27 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.
- Flexible & Hybrid Work Environment: Enjoy working from home and in our modern offices in the centre of Manchester and Stratford, London.
- Professional Growth: Unlock opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
- Inclusive Workplace: Be part of a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels valued.
Want to Learn More?
For further information on this exciting opportunity, reach out to Jools Steadman, our Head of People Relations and Culture, at [email protected]. Jools is eager to discuss how you can be part of our dynamic team!
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level in HRM or able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and skill through equivalent level of experience.
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- MCIPD qualified or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of leading and developing a team and delivering results.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidenced track record of achievement in effectively engaging with senior leadership teams in the delivery of workforce services and solutions and making a positive contribution to the delivery of People Strategies
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of using information from databases e.g. Case Tracker, to report on and analyse People Relations case activity, outcomes, and trends.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Strong leadership skills with an ability to demonstrate emotional intelligence
Skills
Essential criteria
- An ability to recognise inefficiencies in current practice and identify where improvements can be made applying a Restorative and Just Lens.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Resilience to cope with conflicting demands and working to tight deadlines with the ability to act on own initiative and manage the work of others.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jools Steadman
- Job title
- Head of People Relations and Culture
- Email address
- [email protected]
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