Associate Director of People Services

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Wigan; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A NHS Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust is seeking an Associate Director of HR to lead the People Services function and develop strategies that address workforce challenges. The ideal candidate will have a Masters level HR/OD qualification and significant experience in leading HR services. Responsibilities include supporting clinical leaders and ensuring an inclusive environment. The role emphasizes compassionate leadership and strategic problem-solving in a dynamic healthcare setting.

Benefits

Kind and Respectful workplace

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading HR/People services.
• Experience in developing equality and inclusion strategies.
• Ability to analyse complex situations and develop options.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Services function.
• Support operational and clinical leaders with HR functions.
• Develop strategies to address workforce challenges.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

IT skills

Compassionate leadership

Analytical skills

Education

Masters level HR / OD qualification

MCIPD

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Choose Well – Choose WWL

Job overview

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 role

As 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‑focused 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 that 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 you

With substantial experience of leading People Services, you'll also have significant experience of advising on complex employee relations and organisational change matters.

You will have an in‑depth knowledge of NHS workforce challenges and be steadfast in your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our values will resonate with you, and you will share our ambition to be an outstanding organisation.

If you're up for the challenge, please get in touch for an informal chat.

Working for our organisation

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 make 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 is 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 healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we encourage staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, helpful advice and information are available by contacting [e-mail].

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Masters level HR / OD qualification
• MCIPD
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Coaching qualification
• Employment law qualification
• Project management qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• 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 in using digital HR systems

Desirable criteria

• Experience of leading HR services within NHS
• Experience within or leading a Medical Workforce function

Skills / Abilities

Essential criteria

• 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

Essential criteria

• 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

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of NHS terms and conditions and employment policy
• Knowledge of NHS Job Evaluation process

Additional

Essential criteria

• Commitment to the delivery of the highest standard of customer service
• Steadfast commitment to promotion of equality, division 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