Head of Employee Relations

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Employee Relations

The closing date is 04 October 2026

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Job summary

You will be joining a People/OD team that is an active participant in collaborative working across the North West London Acute Provider Group (APG). You will bring with you significant experience of Employee Relations (ER). You will be driving change, in improving the experience of our staff and leaders, through the provision of best in class employee relations that are based on developing a just culture and excellent people experience. As part of an ambitious team you will embrace innovative thinking about how we can do things differently both within the Trust and by bringing together our partners across the APG.

Main duties of the job

As an experienced HR Leader you will have significant expertise in leading and developing the ER function. With strong interpersonal and communication skills you will be able to build strong relationships with stakeholders across the Trust including our Trade Union colleagues. A passionate believer in 'just culture' you will demonstrate the ability to design and implement inclusive conflict resolution approaches and have significant experience of dealing with complex ER cases including employment Tribunals. You will be expected to manage your own highly complex ER caseload. You will also need to be passionate about nurturing and developing an enthusiastic team.

You will need to possess excellent IT skills with the ability to manipulate data to create and display standard and ad hoc ER reports.

NHS experience essential.

About us

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Details

Date posted

10 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

289-CR-180

Job locations

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH

United Kingdom

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director of People

John Wall

john.wall@nhs.net

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As an experienced HR Leader you will have significant expertise in leading and developing the ER function. With strong interpersonal and communication skills you will be able to build strong relationships with stakeholders across the Trust including our Trade Union colleagues. A passionate believer in 'just culture' you will demonstrate the ability to design and implement inclusive conflict resolution approaches and have significant experience of dealing with complex ER cases including employment Tribunals. You will be expected to manage your own highly complex ER caseload. You will also need to be passionate about nurturing and developing an enthusiastic team.

You will need to possess excellent IT skills with the ability to manipulate data to create and display standard and ad hoc ER reports.

NHS experience essential.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.