Workforce Business Partner

• Provide proactive, professional HR and workforce advice to managers across BHNC, supporting effective people management and the consistent application of employment policies, procedures and best practice.
• Build effective working relationships with managers, PCN leads and colleagues, acting as a trusted source of advice on workforce matters and supporting the delivery of organisational priorities.
• Interpret and advise on employment legislation, HR policies and procedures, helping managers understand their responsibilities and make fair, informed and timely decisions.
• Support managers to resolve workforce issues at an early stage, promoting informal resolution where appropriate and ensuring matters are managed consistently and sensitively.

• Provide advice and practical support throughout the employee relations process, including case planning, investigation arrangements, preparation of documentation, formal meetings, hearings and appeals.
• Support managers with workplace investigations, ensuring that appropriate processes are followed, relevant evidence is considered and cases are handled fairly, confidentially and in a timely manner.
• Identify complex, sensitive or high-risk cases and escalate these to the Head of Workforce where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records, monitor progress and contribute to reporting on employee relations activity, themes and emerging risks.

• Support managers to address performance and conduct issues fairly, identifying appropriate interventions and supporting improvement where possible.
• Promote staff wellbeing and a supportive working environment, contributing to initiatives that help improve attendance, engagement and staff experience.
• Provide guidance on relevant policies and procedures to ensure that individual circumstances are considered appropriately and decisions are applied consistently.

• Contribute to manager training, guidance materials, toolkits and other resources that strengthen people management practice.
• Support organisational change and workforce transformation, including restructures, consultation, redeployment and changes to roles or working arrangements.
• Advise managers on appropriate processes and documentation, helping ensure that consultation and change activities are managed fairly and in line with organisational policies.

• Prepare workforce reports and provide insight to support decision-making, service planning and the delivery of agreed workforce priorities.
• Lead or contribute to workforce projects, policy implementation, audits and service improvement initiatives.
• Help identify opportunities to improve HR processes, strengthen compliance and deliver a responsive, efficient and effective Workforce service.
• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of workforce policies and procedures, working with the Head of Workforce as required.

• Support the coordination and allocation of work within the Workforce Team, helping to manage priorities, maintain service continuity and ensure timely delivery of activities.
• Share knowledge and promote consistent working practices, supporting colleagues to develop their skills and confidence.
• Work closely with the Head of Workforce to deliver agreed objectives, provide updates on casework and projects, and escalate significant risks or complex matters appropriately.
• Contribute to effective governance, confidentiality, accurate record-keeping and compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• Promote a professional, fair, inclusive and solution-focused approach to people management.
• Undertake travel between PCN sites as required to provide effective workforce support across the organisation.

Essential

• Significant HR/People/Workforce advisory or business partnering experience.
• Significant experience managing complex ER cases.
• Strong practical knowledge of employment legislation.
• Experience advising managers.
• Experience supporting organisational change.
• Experience using workforce information to inform decisions.
• Experience leading or contributing to workforce improvement.
• CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent.

Desirable

• NHS/primary care experience.
• Experience supervising/coordinating HR colleagues.
• Experience with workforce systems implementation.
• CIPD Level 7 qualified or willing to undertake the qualification.