Human Resources Business Partner in Specialised Services

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A top NHS Trust in the UK is seeking an HR Business Partner to join their workforce team. This role involves leadership in workforce planning, organizational change, and strategy implementation within a supportive environment. Ideal candidates will have significant HR management experience and a strategic approach to workforce challenges, contributing to excellence in patient care.

Benefits

Innovative workplace

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial recent management experience in a large complex organisation.
• Current knowledge of employment legislation and its application.
• Experience in highly complex employee relations matters.

Responsibilities

• Understand and translate Trust's key drivers to enable effective planning.
• Provide strategic advice on workforce impacts and business planning.
• Contribute to developmental strategies and operational decision-making.

Skills

Management experience

Business acumen

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking on workforce issues

Education

Chartered MCIPD or equivalent

Post Graduate Management Qualification/MBA

Job description

Overview

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a passionate, experienced, and forward-thinking HR professional to join our dynamic workforce team as a HR Business Partner for the Division of Specialised Services.

The Division of Specialised Services includes the Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre and Clinical Genetics.

This Division employs around 1300 WTE staff working in Clinical and Medical Oncology, Clinical Haematology, Palliative care, Radiotherapy, Clinical Genetics, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, Cardiac Anaesthesia and Cardiac Intensive Care.

As an integral member of both the Senior Management Team and Divisional Board, you will play a strategic and influential role in shaping and delivering the Division's workforce agenda.

The Division of Specialised Services encompasses a diverse range of clinical and non-clinical staff, including Medical & Dental, Nursing, AHPs, Healthcare Scientists, and Administrative teams. In this role, you will lead the development and implementation of strategic workforce plans, support complex organisational change and transformation, and foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.

In return, you'll join a supportive, innovative team and be given the opportunity to further develop your leadership and strategic HR skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Management: understand and translate the Trust's key drivers and challenges to enable planning and delivery of an effective people strategy aligned to business strategy and Trust objectives.
• Contribute to the achievement of the Trust's strategic goals by ensuring that employee policy, practice and delivery are coordinated, effective and strategic.
• Workforce planning and resourcing: provide strategic, specialist advice to the Division on workforce impacts and implications of short to long-term business planning, enabling the Divisions to meet present and future business challenges and provide best quality patient care which meets financial targets. This includes: developing effective recruitment and retention strategies; development of staffing plans and establishment; strategies to deliver on financial recovery plans; developing succession and talent management plans.
• Divisional and Trust Responsibilities: as a member of the Divisional Core Management Team and Divisional Board(s), contribute to the development of the Divisional strategy, business plans, project management and operational decision-making; design and implement audits to monitor compliance and effectiveness of HR policies and procedures, providing reports and recommendations.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer, we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Details

• Date posted: 18 September 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year pa
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 387-SPS8691-KM
• Job locations: Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol, BS2 8HW

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the attached job description document.

Person Specification

• Qualifications and Training: Essential — Chartered MCIPD or equivalent qualification/experience to Masters Level
• Desirable — Post Graduate Management Qualification/MBA

Knowledge and Experience

• Essential — Substantial recent management experience as generalist HR practitioner/business partner at a senior level in a large complex organisation
• Essential — Current and accurate knowledge of employment legislation and case law and its application to a wide range of professional groups
• Essential — Extensive experience in highly complex employee relations matters
• Essential — Experience of providing people management services to a wide range of staff from different professional backgrounds
• Essential — Experience of training, coaching or facilitation in HR/OD
• Essential — Demonstrable experience of Business Planning and Service Redesign
• Essential — Demonstrable evidence of large service Change and Improvement programmes
• Essential — Previous management experience with ability to provide direction and accountability
• Essential — Extensive experience of formalised workforce planning, key workforce information and delivery
• Essential — Budget management and efficiency responsibilities
• Essential — Experience of leading HR/OD projects and OD interventions to facilitate change
• Essential — Experience of policy review and development
• Essential — Knowledge of NHS HR agenda and healthcare reforms
• Desirable — Project management experience with stakeholders, delivering to time, cost and quality
• Desirable — Experience of working in a unionised environment

Skills and Abilities

• Essential — Commercial and business acumen; understanding of how HROD can impact patient experience, quality and efficiency
• Essential — Ability to interpret and analyse workforce and financial reports, and complex legal decisions
• Essential — Clear analytical skills
• Essential — Ability to work to deadlines and strong organisational skills
• Essential — Excellent presentation skills
• Essential — Strategic thinking on workforce issues

Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS)

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the DBS may be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance about overseas criminal records checks is available as appropriate.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Further information is available on the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Address: Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol, BS2 8HW

Employer's website: https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/