Head of Workforce Systems & Data Analytics

NHS; Wigan; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking an experienced Head of Workforce Systems & Data Analytics to shape and oversee workforce systems and data analytics. This strategic role involves integrating capabilities to support planning and productivity across the organization. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in workforce systems, strong data governance skills, and the ability to influence decision-making at senior levels. This position supports hybrid working with travel required to Trust sites.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Opportunity for career development

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading workforce systems in a complex setting.
• Strong track record of managing large-scale programmes.
• Confidence to influence at senior leadership levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration and governance of workforce systems.
• Drive automation and data quality improvements.
• Ensure compliance with information governance.

Skills

Leadership in workforce systems

Data governance and analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

Experience in complex organisations

Tools

ESR

e-rostering

Job description

Go back Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Workforce Systems & Data Analytics

The closing date is 22 February 2026

Shape the future of workforce systems, data and insight in the NHS

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Head of Workforce Systems & Data Analytics to lead one of the Trust's most critical and high-impact transformation agendas.

This is a senior, strategic role at the heart of our People Services Division, with end-to-end responsibility for workforce systems, workforce data and workforce analytics. You will lead the integration, governance and continuous development of a single, coherent workforce systems and analytics capability that supports workforce planning, productivity, transformation and evidence-based decision-making across the Trust.

Main Base: Buckingham Row, Wigan. With hybrid working arrangements and Travel to all Trust sites required.

About you

You will have:

• Significant experience leading workforce systems, analytics or digital workforce functions in a complex organisation
• A strong track record of delivering large-scale, multi-workstream programmes
• Deep understanding of workforce systems such as ESR, e-rostering or equivalent platforms
• Expertise in data governance, assurance, analytics and reporting
• The confidence to influence, challenge and advise at senior leadership and Board level
• A leadership style that is inclusive, compassionate and values-led

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

Reporting to the Associate Director of Workforce Planning & Transformation, you will:

• Act as the Trust's senior lead for workforce systems, workforce data and analytics
• Ensure workforce systems and analytics operate as a joined-up, future-ready ecosystem
• Lead the Trust's readiness for, and transition to, the new NHS Workforce Solution
• Drive digital maturity, automation and data quality, reducing reliance on manual and paper-based processes
• Provide senior assurance for workforce reporting, analytics and statutory submissions
• Lead complex programmes and portfolios spanning systems, data, analytics and organisational change
• Build strong partnerships across People Services, Finance, Payroll, Digital, IT and Corporate Data
• Represent the Trust at Greater Manchester, regional and national workforce forums

You will lead and develop a skilled, multidisciplinary team, creating a high-performing, inclusive and psychologically safe culture aligned to WWL values.

About us

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.

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.

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.

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.

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Integration

Act as the Trusts lead for workforce systems, workforce data and workforce analytics.

Own the long-term coherence and integration of workforce systems and analytics, ensuring they operate as a unified capability rather than discrete functions.

Ensure workforce systems generate data that is analytically robust, decision-ready and aligned to workforce planning and transformation needs.

Provide expert advice, assurance and risk-based escalation to the Associate Director of Workforce Planning & Transformation.

• Own the strategic direction and roadmap for workforce systems, including ESR, e-rostering and successor national platforms.
• Provide senior leadership for the stabilisation, optimisation and governance of current workforce systems.
• Lead organisational readiness for the NHS Workforce Solution, including data quality, configuration standards, process redesign and analytics enablement.
• Drive digital workflows and automation to reduce reliance on manual, paper-based workforce processes.
• Ensure workforce systems evolve in line with national policy, digital standards and service needs.

Workforce Data, Analytics & Insight

• Lead the development and sustainability of a modern workforce analytics capability, including dashboards, visualisation and self-service insight.
• Ensure workforce analytics deliver deep analysis, narrative insight and clear recommendations for senior leaders.
• Own the triangulation and reconciliation of workforce data across systems, analytics and finance to maintain a single version of the truth.
• Ensure analytics capability remains forward-looking, supporting scenario modelling and strategic planning.

Accountability for Workforce Reporting & Returns

• Hold overall accountability for the quality, accuracy and assurance of all internal and external workforce reporting.
• Provide senior oversight of workforce information presented to Trust governance forums, such as the Trust scorecard, Integrated Performance Reporting (IPR), People Committee and Board-level reporting.
• Be accountable for statutory and national workforce data submissions, including the Provider Workforce Return (PWR) and NHS England mandated returns.
• Act as Programme or Project Lead for complex workforce systems, data and digital initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate a portfolio of inter-dependent projects, managing scope, milestones, risks, dependencies and benefits.
• Chair or lead appropriate project boards and workstreams, ensuring alignment with Trust governance and delivery frameworks.
• Provide clear reporting and assurance on progress, risks and outcomes to senior leaders.

Workforce Planning Enablement & Transformation

• Enable workforce planning and transformation through robust data standards, analytics models, tools and methodologies.
• Ensure workforce planning assumptions and outputs remain transparent, consistent and evidence-based.
• Support productivity, CIP and service redesign initiatives through system enablement and high-quality insight.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Leadership

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships across People Services, including HR Business Partners, OD, L&D and Medical Workforce.
• Act as the senior workforce digital and data partner to Finance, Payroll, IT, Digital and Corporate Data teams.
• Represent the Trust at Greater Manchester, regional and national workforce systems, workforce analytics and digital workforce forums.
• Lead external benchmarking and translate learning into sustainable local standards and improvements.

Information Governance & Data Asset Ownership

• Act as the Information Asset Owner or delegated senior data owner for workforce systems and workforce data.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, DSPT and Trust information governance requirements.
• Lead Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and ensure appropriate access controls, audit and assurance arrangements.
• Be accountable for workforce data integrity, lineage, retention and appropriate use.

Leadership, Culture & People Development

• Provide visible, inclusive and values-led leadership to direct reports and wider teams.
• Lead leaders and specialists, setting clear expectations, providing coaching and holding people to account.
• Ensure consistent communication, engagement and alignment across teams.
• Build a high-performing, psychologically safe culture aligned to Trust values.
• Support staff development, resilience, wellbeing and succession in a changing environment.

Finance & Resource Responsibilities

• Manage the delegated budget for the team, ensuring value for money in supplier contracts.
• Support Payroll and Finance colleagues in reconciliation, establishment control, and audit compliance.
• Monitor roster efficiency, aligning workforce deployment with financial targets (including agency/bank spend reduction).

Other

Act as an ambassador for the Trust, representing the organisation to relevant partners, other NHS bodies, regulators, voluntary sector, and other relevant organisations, developing constructive relationships to the benefit of the Trust.

Participate in relevant internal and external working groups/projects, services and initiatives to provide, information and expertise.

Promote the values, behaviours, vision, and goals of the organisation.

Protect sensitive employee data at all times, in line with the Data Protection Act

Please Note: This role is PENDING AFC SALARY BANDING APPROVAL; therefore, salary cannot be fully confirmed until the Banding is approved.