Deputy Chief People Officer - Workforce

The Methodist Church in Britain; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire is seeking a strategic People leader to head the workforce portfolio, including People Partnering, employee relations, workforce planning, resourcing and digital workforce systems. The role is full-time with flexible and remote working and may require cross-site duties, plus an on-call rota.

A Master’s-level qualification is required, with evidence of senior NHS HR leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Senior complex leadership in HR practice, ideally in the public or not-for-profit sector.
• Strategic and technical HR and OD advice to the NHS or comparable organisations.
• Track record of delivery at Director or senior management level, including Board exposure.
• Track record of delivering large-scale change, with knowledge of quality improvement methodologies.
• Experience of managing large budgets.
• Experience building relationships with national bodies, higher education institutions and system partners, and gaining support and investment.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of the Trust People Plan and related strategies, with people metrics and performance measures.
• Develop an effective People Partnering model, strengthen employee relations and build relationships with staff-side colleagues.
• Lead transformation of workforce systems and People Services using digital solutions and automation.
• Provide workforce analytics and management information to support evidence-based decisions.
• Shape recruitment, retention and workforce supply approaches and turn service ambitions into workforce plans.
• Lead employment governance, including DBS, right to work, professional registration, fixed-term contracts and safeguarding.
• Ensure services meet legislation, internal audit, CQC and NHSLA standards and respond to CQC data requests.
• Develop workforce plans aligned with corporate, finance and service strategies, and advise on the annual planning process.
• Manage budgets to meet strategic and operational business plans.
• Set up governance, risk management and KPIs for people programmes and hold leads to account for delivery.
• Deliver national priorities and reporting, including the National NHS Staff Survey.
• Manage direct reports, lead service lines in a matrix structure and represent the Chief People Officer at executive and board meetings.

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

FCIPD membership

Job description

This People leadership role sits within University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, the group of Kettering General and Northampton General hospital trusts, reporting to the Chief People Officer. The post holder leads the workforce portfolio, covering People Partnering, employee relations, workforce planning, resourcing and the digital redesign of workforce systems. It is a strategic, transformational post that is full-time with flexible and home or remote working, may require working across both sites, and includes an on-call rota. Fit depends on senior NHS HR leadership and a Masters-level qualification or equivalent.

What the job involves

• Lead development and delivery of the Trust People Plan and related strategies, with people metrics and performance measures
• Develop an effective People Partnering model, strengthen employee relations and build relationships with staff-side colleagues
• Lead transformation of workforce systems and People Services using digital solutions and automation
• Provide workforce analytics and management information to support evidence-based decisions
• Shape recruitment, retention and workforce supply approaches and turn service ambitions into workforce plans
• Lead employment governance, including DBS, right to work, professional registration, fixed-term contracts and safeguarding
• Ensure services meet legislation, internal audit, CQC and NHSLA standards and respond to CQC data requests
• Develop workforce plans aligned with corporate, finance and service strategies, and advise on the annual planning process
• Manage budgets to meet strategic and operational business plans
• Set up governance, risk management and KPIs for people programmes and hold leads to account for delivery
• Deliver national priorities and reporting, including the National NHS Staff Survey
• Manage direct reports, lead service lines in a matrix structure and represent the Chief People Officer at executive and board meetings

What’s required

Qualifications

• Degree to Masters level or equivalent experience and competencies, or extensive relevant senior experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development, including management studies to Masters level or equivalent
• Membership of an appropriate professional body, FCIPD

Experience

• Senior complex leadership in HR practice, ideally in the public or not-for-profit sector
• Strategic and technical HR and OD advice to the NHS or comparable organisations
• Track record of delivery at Director or senior management level, including Board exposure
• Track record of delivering large-scale change, with knowledge of quality improvement methodologies
• Experience of managing large budgets
• Experience building relationships with national bodies, higher education institutions and system partners, and gaining support and investment

Skills & knowledge

• Tactical understanding of employment law

Nice to have

• Qualified at practitioner level in a recognised programme or project management methodology
• Current understanding of the NHS context, including the national agenda, IC