Associate Director of People Services

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Wigan; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Wigan seeks an Associate Director of People Services. This role involves shaping workforce strategies and supporting clinical leaders. The ideal candidate will have extensive HR experience, particularly within the NHS context. A strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is essential. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £76,965 to £88,682 per annum, reflecting the organization's commitment to outstanding patient care.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience at a senior level leading HR services.
• Experience advising on complex employee relations matters.
• Demonstrable knowledge of NHS workforce challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Services function to influence and shape strategies.
• Support operational leaders with Business Partnering and workforce functions.
• Nurture relationships with Joint Trade Unions.

Skills

Senior stakeholder negotiation

Complex information analysis

Compassionate leadership

Workforce efficiency improvement

IT proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

MCIPD

Coaching qualification

Evidence of continuing professional development

Job description

Go back Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Director of People Services

The closing date is 29 December 2025

As a strategic and compassionate leader, joining WWL as our new Associate Director of HR will be a rewarding opportunity to influence and shape the delivery of our People Services function, as we strive to deliver efficient, customer focused and value adding services, that enhance staff experience and support outstanding patient care.

Please note that this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Main duties of the job

About the RoleAs a key member of the People Services Senior Leadership Team, you'll ensure that our operational and clinical leaders are supported by highly capable, professional and future focussed Business Partnering and Medical Workforce functions. You'll work closely with the Associate Director of OD and Inclusion, and Associate Director of Workforce Transformation and Planning to develop, implement and measure the impact of plans and strategies which address our key workforce challenges, now and for our future.You'll also nurture our open and effective relationship with our Joint Trade Unions, ensuring partnership working is embedded in everything we do. About YouWith substantial experience of leading People Services, you'll also have significant experience of advising on complex employee relations and organisational change matters.You'll have an in-depth knowledge of NHS workforce challenges and be steadfast in your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our values will strike a chord with you, and you'll share our ambition to be an outstanding organisation.If you're up for the challenge, please get in touch for an informal chat.

About us

Choose Well - Choose WWL

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

People at the Heart

Listen and Involve

Kind and Respectful

ONE Team

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information available by contacting [e-mail] where you can also ask about how to access vaccinations.

Job responsibilities

For a detailed list of the main responsibilities of the role, please view the job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MCIPD
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Coaching qualification

Experience

• Substantial experience at a senior level of leading HR/People services - motivating and developing the team, including setting out clear priorities, objectives, mentoring and coaching to maximise potential
• Experience of leading, developing and embedding Business Partnering model
• Experience of working in a rapidly changing environment with multiple senior stakeholders and building trust, securing their engagement, resulting in sustainable change
• Experience of leading the development of HR&OD strategies to support service and workforce transformation
• Significant experience of advising on complex employee relations and organisational change matters, including Employment Tribunal cases
• Experience of developing and cultivating effective partnership working with Trade Union colleagues
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies that promote equality and inclusion and staff experience
• Experience of working with different professional groups including medical workforce
• Experience of leading HR services within NHS
• Experience within or leading a Medical Workforce function

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information
• Ability to negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information verbally and through reports
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
• Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, high-level relationships and professional credibility with key stakeholders and influencers
• IT skills - proficient in use of Microsoft Office
• Compassionate and inclusive leadership style
• Ability to drive efficiency, productivity and cost improvement through workforce interventions

Knowledge

• Highly developed specialist professional knowledge across a range of HR disciplines
• Demonstrable knowledge of complex change management principles and TUPE
• Up to date knowledge of employment legislation and its application
• Knowledge of NHS workforce challenges (including those related to medical workforce)
• Knowledge of NHS strategic plans and priorities
• Knowledge and understanding of NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and NHS 10 Year Plan
• Knowledge of NHS terms and conditions and employment policy
• Knowledge of NHS Job Evaluation process

Additional

• Commitment to the delivery of the highest standard of customer service
• Steadfast commitment to promotion of equality, diversion and inclusion
• Commitment to embedding, promoting and championing WWL Values and Behaviours
• Able to travel and work flexibly across the geographical footprint of the organisation

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.

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum pro rata