Deputy Director of Workforce and Organisational Development

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Deputy Director of Workforce and Organisational Development. This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of workforce strategy within a supportive and innovative environment. You will be at the forefront of transformational leadership, driving employee engagement and organisational development. With a commitment to inclusion and continuous learning, this role promises personal and professional growth while making a significant impact on staff and patients alike. Join a team dedicated to fostering a positive culture and enhancing the wellbeing of its workforce.

Benefits

Flexible Working Policy

Fitness Centre Access

Childcare Assistance

Hospital Libraries

Chaplaincy Support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in HR and Organisational Development.
• Proven leadership in workforce strategy and employee relations.
• Strong background in change management and cultural initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce and inclusion strategies aligned with Trust objectives.
• Develop and deliver organisational development initiatives.
• Manage employee relations and support digital development.

Skills

Strategic Management

Employee Engagement

Organisational Development

Change Management

HR Legislation

Education

MCIPD

Master's Degree or Equivalent

Job description

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Director of Workforce and Organisational Development

The closing date is 18 May 2025

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Deputy Director of Workforce & Organisational Development (OD) to join our Trust and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our Workforce Strategy. This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity for an individual passionate about transformational leadership, employee engagement, and organisational development to make a significant impact for our staff and patients.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the workforce, with opportunities for personal and professional development in a supportive, innovative environment, and work in a culture that values inclusion, continuous learning, and collaborative leadership.

Working for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT, you will feel a sense of belonging and inclusion, with opportunities to grow and develop, feeling cared for, valued, and supported.

You will be accountable to the Director of Workforce & Organisational Development and will provide senior leadership across key workforce functions. Your responsibilities will include leading and developing:

• Organisational and Workforce Development and Learning
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Employee Services
• Employee Relations

Main duties of the job

This is a transformational leadership role where you will work closely with senior leaders to support the development and delivery of workforce and inclusion strategies aligned with the Trust's organisational objectives.

You will be an inclusive leader, treating people fairly with civility and respect, encouraging communication and collaboration, and seeking continuous learning and improvement. You will be a member of CIPD and hold a master's level qualification or equivalent knowledge gained through qualification plus significant experience in Human Resources / Organisational Development.

You will have extensive experience in a senior leadership role within Workforce & Organisational Development or a similar HR-related field. A strong background in workforce strategy, organisational change, employee relations, and talent management is essential. Proven ability to lead complex projects and drive transformation across multiple workforce functions, including digital development and improving the efficiency of workforce and OD systems and processes, is required.

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Sonia Atkinson, Deputy Director of HR & OD, or Kath Griffin, Executive Director of HR & OD, at 0191 565 6256 Ext 42049.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form to facilitate quick contact if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation, and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness, and civility, promoting a compassionate, caring, and positive culture and working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, and especially from under-represented groups. Prioritizing our workforce's health and wellbeing, we provide access to high-quality education, training, career progression, and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs approximately 8,300 people, providing hospital services to a community of around 430,000 residents, and specialized services to populations up to 860,000. Staff benefits include a Fitness Centre (SRH), hospital libraries, chaplaincy support, and childcare assistance. The Trust will not accept AI-generated applications.

Job responsibilities

The postholder is a senior professional workforce lead for the Trust, reporting to the Director of Workforce & Organisational Development, responsible for providing leadership and direction in:

• Organisational and Workforce Development and Learning
• Employee Services
• Employee Relations

This role involves developing and delivering workforce and inclusion strategies to support the Trust's objectives, providing expertise, guidance, and support across organisational change, service redesign, workforce strategy, policy, employment law, terms, conditions, and reward systems.

The postholder will support digital development to improve system efficiency and effectiveness.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE POST.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

• Ability to meet travel requirements of the post

Experience

• Strategic and operational management experience across team performance, budget, and staff management in workforce functions
• Successful change management in complex environments
• Management and development of professional staff, coaching, and challenging senior leaders
• Enabling cultural shifts for positive employment and service improvement
• Increasing staff engagement organization-wide
• Implementing change, cultural, wellbeing, and equality initiatives
• Partnership working and union consultations
• Collaborative work with internal and external stakeholders
• Change management, TUPE, team redesign, and new working methods
• Experience with complex ER cases, including MHPS

Qualifications

• MCIPD
• Masters qualification or equivalent, with significant relevant experience
• Ongoing professional development (CPD)

Skills and Knowledge

• Expertise in current HR and workforce legislation and best practices
• Understanding of NHS workforce service context
• Deep knowledge across HR functions and cultural issues
• Innovative workforce change approaches involving culture, engagement, and wellbeing
• Ability to develop partnerships regionally and nationally
• Proficiency in OD tools and techniques
• Strategic thinking, project management, analytical skills
• Influencing, persuading, negotiating skills
• Driving improvement through coaching and performance management
• Change facilitation and challenging ways of working
• Resilience and ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure