People Operations Manager

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and proactive People Operations Manager to provide a comprehensive People advisory and employee relations service to designated Divisions and Directorates.

Working closely with Divisional Heads of People and People Partners, you will provide expert advice across a broad range of workforce matters including employee relations, sickness absence management, organisational change, recruitment and workforce planning. You will support managers to apply Trust policies consistently and fairly whilst promoting best employment practice.

This is a hands-on operational role combining professional HR advice, employee relations case management and workplace investigations. The successful candidate will undertake investigations where required, support managers through formal HR processes and provide practical advice on complex workforce matters. Alongside this, you will manage and coordinate a busy casework portfolio, maintaining case trackers and records, arranging hearings and meetings, preparing documentation and ensuring cases progress within agreed timescales. The role requires excellent employee relations knowledge, investigative skills, organisational ability and attention to detail.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert HR advice and support to managers and staff across allocated Divisions and Directorates.
• Lead and support employee relations casework including conduct, capability, grievance, dignity at work and attendance management matters.
• Undertake workplace investigations and act as an Investigating Officer where required.
• Support managers acting as Investigating Officers through all stages of formal HR processes.
• Manage and coordinate employee relations casework, ensuring case trackers, records and documentation are maintained accurately and cases progress in a timely manner.
• Arrange and coordinate investigation meetings, hearings, appeals, consultation meetings and case conferences involving multiple stakeholders.
• Identify and resolve barriers that may delay case progression, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Support organisational change programmes, including consultation processes and workforce restructuring.
• Monitor workforce metrics and provide analysis and recommendations to support workforce planning and performance improvement.
• Coach managers in the application of Just Culture principles and best employment practice.
• Support recruitment activity, job evaluation processes and workforce establishment management.
• Deliver HR training and guidance to managers.
• Build effective working relationships with trade union representatives and key stakeholders.
• Support the delivery of Divisional People Plans and wider workforce objectives.

About us

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country - one of the country's most culturally diverse areas. It's a friendly and welcoming place - a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.

We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.

Our values - Ambition, Respect and Compassion - are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.

Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is to "Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population." It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It's what makes us unique.

We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose. When we say we're 'with you all the way' we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.