Visa sponsorship evidence
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
From the employer's advert, checked 26 October 2026.
We could not match this employer to the Home Office sponsor register by name. Large employers often register under a different legal name, so this is not a warning on its own.
About the job
Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Job Title: Head of Employee RelationsContract Type: Permanent
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.
Main duties of the job
Passionate about Employee Relations? Commercially astute, with an excellent grasp of employment law, and the ability to manage complex medical ER cases? Shrewd negotiator who can translate complex information into digestible papers? If this sounds like you then our Head of Employee Relations role may be just the opportunity you are looking for.
Our ten-strong ER team provides a proactive and compassionate service to c.13000 staff at UHS. It also delivers advice to our Subsidiary companies (e.g. UHS Estates Limited, UHS Hospital Pharmacy) and hosted services (e.g. Wessex Cancer Alliance, Health Innovation Wessex), who mainly work under NHS terms and conditions. We're seeking a leader to continue to develop the service, building on excellent foundations, focusing on providing fair, consistent and constructive ER, linked to strong partnership working with our Union colleagues.
About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Job responsibilities
Youll be a seasoned ER professional, ideally with experience of Medical ER. Your passion for employment law and willingness to try innovative means to resolve issues will be clear, as will your ability to work with highly intelligent stakeholders, creating and delivering strategies to resolve tricky MHPS cases.
An authentic leader who supports and challenges their team in tandem, youll enjoy working in a varied and challenging role. We operate hybrid working with approximately half time spent onsite, flexibility is required in order to support our clinical colleagues.
This role will offer you an interesting personal caseload, working on our most challenging cases, as well as the opportunity to mould and develop our excellent ER team. Strong leadership skills, high intellect and a sense of humour are essential!
Interviews will consist of two stages and will commence the week of November 9th 2026
Job description
Advert text from University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, published on NHS Jobs. Read the original advert.
Visa sponsorship depends on the employer offering you the job and on you meeting the visa rules, including salary and English requirements. Check the current rules on GOV.UK and confirm details with the employer.