Band 6 | Permanent | Hybrid (Crawley & SECAmb regional sites)| Minimum 3 days on-site per week

Are you an experienced HR professional with a passion for employee relations and driving a culture of fairness, learning, and inclusion? Join our dynamic People Directorate at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) as a Senior People Advisor.

As a Senior People Advisor within the Employee Relations team at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb), you will play a key role in supporting a positive working environment by providing expert, high-quality HR advice and case management support to leaders across the Trust. You will work collaboratively with the People Relations Manager, other members of the People Directorate, and trade union partners to ensure fair, consistent, and values-led people management.

If you're a confident HR professional looking to step into a senior advisory role where your expertise will shape culture, policy, and people outcomes -- we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior People Advisor, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting managers and teams across SECAmb, offering expert guidance on complex HR matters. You'll manage a diverse employee relations caseload, influence policy development, and lead on key HR projects - all while promoting our values of Kindness, Integrity, and Courage.

This is more than a casework role -- it's an opportunity to shape a culture of early resolution, foster strong partnerships with trade unions, and contribute to a positive employee experience across the Trust.

What you'll be doing...

Advising managers on employee relations matters including conduct, capability, grievance, and sickness.

Leading investigations and supporting formal hearings.

Championing best practice HR and compliance with employment law and NHS frameworks.

Partnering with colleagues and unions to promote a fair and inclusive workplace.

Contributing to HR policy development and workforce improvement initiatives.

Leading and supporting HR projects and change programmes.

About us

• Option to join NHS pension scheme
• A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years' service.
• Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
• Access to occupational health and counselling services.
• Back up buddy App
• Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.

Job responsibilities

What Were Looking For

Strong experience managing complex employee relations cases.

In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance.

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively across functions.

CIPD qualification (Assoc CIPD or equivalent) or willingness to work towards one.

A passion for fostering a learning and resolution-focused culture.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Associate Member of CIPD or willing to undertake accreditation
• Educated to degree level OR equivalent experience in relevant HR discipline

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, including Equality Act, H&S, etc.
• Understanding of ACAS Code of Practice & its application to ER

Experience

• Experience managing a range of employee relations cases (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance)
• Experience advising managers on HR policies in a large organisation
• Experience working in a unionised environment and engaging with TU reps
• Experience producing or using analysis reports to support HR decision-making

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.