Deputy Head of People Services

NHS; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a Deputy Head of People Services to support the management and development of the People Services Team. The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree and extensive experience in HR management within the UK NHS context, demonstrating strong negotiation and leadership skills to effectively deliver services aligned with organisational objectives.

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Membership of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or working towards attainment.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of People Services to design, recruit, train and develop an appropriate team.
• Provide strategic and operational support to functional areas on change management initiatives.
• Directly motivate, lead, and line manage members of the People Services Team.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

IT literacy

Education

Masters level or equivalent

Post graduate qualification in Organisational Development

Job description

Go back Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Deputy Head of People Services

The closing date is 25 June 2025

The Deputy Head of People Services will support the Head of People Services to manage the People Services Team to achieve outcomes based on the provision of a quality service to patients and in line with the vision, purpose, priorities and objectives of the UHB. The post holder will assist the Head of People Services to manage the performance, direction and development of the Team and service provision to a number of Clinical Boards and Corporate areas across the UHB.

The post holder will report directly to the Head of People Services and will ensure that effective and appropriate HR Policy, practice and systems of work are in place to ensure a high quality, consistent, expert advice and support is available to the UHB.

The post holder will be a senior HR professional within the UHB and a key member of the People Services Team. Specifically, the job holder will work closely with the Heads of People and Culture and Centres of Expertise in delivering the strategic workforce agenda and as such they will be expected to proactively contribute to the delivery and implementation of the UHBs Workforce and Organisational Development Strategies and the People and Culture Plan.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will also use highly specialised skills and expert knowledge of employment legislation, HR policy and practice, organisational development approaches. They will have an understanding of the broad and complex range of services provided by the UHB in order to analyse, interpret and advise on complex matters relating to any and all employment situations, deciding on the appropriate course of action where required.

The post holder will be required to build credible and effective working relationships with all Stakeholders; especially Clinical Board Teams in the delivery of the Workforce & OD agenda.

The Deputy will support the Head of People Services to manage and develop the People Services Team, ensuring the service provided is efficient, consistent and in accordance with the UHB objectives, the Workforce Strategy and the People and Culture Plan.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Job responsibilities

• The Deputy will support the Head of People Services to design, recruit, train and develop an appropriate team to deliver the People Services Team agenda.
• The post holder will receive and communicate highly sensitive information relating to disciplinary, employment tribunals, grievance and service change and reconfiguration, TUPE; employing influencing and negotiation skills to manage potential conflict and the expectations of key stakeholders and maintain their engagement with the process.
• To provide strategic and operational support to functional areas on change management initiatives, drawing from expert knowledge in change management and application of the all Wales Organisational Change Policy. This will require communicating and advising managers and staff on highly sensitive change issues.

To support the Head of People Services to deliver efficient, appropriate and timely service for Cardiff and Vale UHB on the following topics:

• General Recruitment (Internal/External) up to Executive Level
• Induction management
• Delivery and management of operational Training Programmes
• Workforce Planning and Monitoring
• Performance Reviews
• Discipline/Grievance mediation
• Attendance/Sickness management
• HR Helpdesk Advice/Direction
• Development of self-help HR roll-out
• Implementation of HR Plans and Policies
• Implementation of Change Management Plans
• Ensure performance improvement is part of the culture and way of working within the People Services Team to support the objectives of the clinical boards and UHB.
• Will assess the risks associated with complex and sometimes unique employment situations, particularly in relation to the cost and publicity implications of Employment Tribunal Cases. To exercise sound judgement in recommending or deciding upon an appropriate course of action.
• Ensure regular and timely reports are produced for the Executive Director of People and Culture and Clinical Board Directors (as required) on the progress of the work of the operational team against a range of agreed Key Performance Indicators.
• Directly motivate, lead and line manage members of the People Services Team, including role modelling, great personal and team leadership and taking an active role in ensuring the new Workforce & OD Operating Model and People and Culture Plan is embedded successfully.
• Support the Head of People Services in motivating staff within the UHB (and specific business area) to deliver UHB objectives, and maintain a focus on the need to continually improve outcomes for patients and clients.
• To work autonomously managing complex portfolio of work and activities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience. Evidence of continuing professional development. Membership of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or working towards attainment
• Post graduate qualification in Organisational Development or willingness to work towards

Experience

• Experience of workforce and organisational development issues in a large, complex, NHS Health Board/Trust. Previous experience at middle/senior management level. Evidence of strategic workforce change and implementation within a complex environment. Demonstrate successful outcomes of consultation and negotiation experiences. Proven track record of innovation, change management and implementing best practice. Track record of inspiring and managing a team

Skills

• Highly developed communication skills, written and verbal. Effective influencing, negotiating and consultation skills. IT literacy and standard key board skills

Special Knowledge

• Knowledge of workforce issues and the basic terms and conditions which govern workforce. Evidence of analytical reasoning and effective decision-making skills. Strategic awareness of UK/NHS Wales issues. Strategic thinking and contextual understanding of NHS Workforce issues.

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated and resilient. Evidence of effective leadership skills, teambuilding skills and ability to develop others. Team player. Effective interpersonal and influencing skills. Evidence of an achievement focus. Ability to negotiate and build alliances. Ability to facilitate the capability and development of people skills in line managers. Role model the values and behaviours of the organisation. Ability to meet tight deadlines

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.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board