Job vacancy: Head of Employee Relations, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol

Job summary

Main area: Administrative and Clerical
Grade: Band 8C
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 387-TS5113-JC

Employer: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Trustwide
Town: Bristol
Salary: £79,504 - £91,609 pa
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 19/08/2026 23:59

Head of Employee Relations

Band 8C

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1^st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a full and detailed description of this role and responsibilities please refer to the attached job description

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria

Masters’ Degree or Level 7 qualification in Human Resource Management
Chartered MCIPD
Clear evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development (CPD), with a specific focus on generalist people advice and employee relations.

Experience

Essential criteria

Senior level experience in a relevant people leadership role, leading a large service, working in a customer/patient-focused and fast paced environment.
Extensive experience of leading and developing a team.
Experience of effective budget management, report writing and business case development.
Experience of leading on effective Trade Union relations and partnership working.
Demonstrable experience of providing specialist advice, support and guidance on a range of highly complex and sensitive issues to key decision makers in the organisation.
Evidence of managing to conclusion change/transformation initiatives
Experience of training, coaching or facilitation in HR/OD, Project management experience with a range of Stakeholders, delivering to time, cost and quality
Experience of providing people management services to a wide range of staff from different professional and occupational backgrounds

Desirable criteria

Experience of policy review and development

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria

Highly specialist knowledge of employee relations and employment law. Continuous improvement through training and knowledge of current legislation and employment law changes.
A good understanding of best practice in case law, particularly psychological safety, restorative just culture and reducing harm.
Ability to interprets employment legislation and case law, provides authoritative advice on specialist HR Issues within their areas
Ability to recognise and manage competing/conflicting priorities, constantly bearing in mind issues of precedent which may have implications across the Trust.
Demonstrable ability to understand and assess a broad range of highly complex facts and information quickly and make professional judgement or decision on a way forward where opinions may differ, or there is no obvious solution/precedent.
Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions and to resolve problems in relation to project or service delivery.
Ability to assess, interpret and utilise data to inform strategic plans, decision-making and ensure evidence-based approaches are applied.
Evidence of planning and organising self and team members to delivering projects and services on time and to budget, within tight resources.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

· As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

· BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.