Strategic People Partner

CORNWALL PARTNERSHIP NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Polmear; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Strategic People Partner to provide strategic workforce leadership and expert advice to align workforce plans with Trust objectives.

Working with Area Directors and senior leaders, you will shape talent management, leadership development and organisation design, enabling sustainable, high-quality services across Cornwall. This role emphasizes inclusion, belonging and values-based leadership, in a complex healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading workforce planning and addressing future workforce requirements and skills gaps
• Supporting workforce transformation, organisational design and service redesign programmes
• Developing talent management, succession planning and leadership development approaches
• Leading initiatives that improve employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and staff experience
• Supporting managers and leaders through organisational change and transformation
• Providing advice on complex workforce matters, employment legislation and people management practice
• Using workforce data and metrics to inform decision-making and improvement plans
• Coaching and influencing leaders to develop positive cultures and high-performing teams
• Building strong relationships with leaders and stakeholders across the organisation
• Delivering people solutions that support organisational performance and service objectives

Job description

Reporting to the Deputy Director of HR & OD, the Strategic People Partner provides strategic leadership and expert workforce advice to support the delivery of Trust objectives. Working closely with Area Directors and senior leaders, you will ensure workforce plans, people strategies and transformation programmes align with organisational priorities and support sustainable, high-quality services. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading workforce planning and addressing future workforce requirements and skills gaps
• Supporting workforce transformation, organisational design and service redesign programmes
• Developing talent management, succession planning and leadership development approaches
• Leading initiatives that improve employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and staff experience
• Supporting managers and leaders through organisational change and transformation
• Providing advice on complex workforce matters, employment legislation and people management practice
• Using workforce data and metrics to inform decision-making and improvement plans
• Coaching and influencing leaders to develop positive cultures and high-performing teams
• Building strong relationships with leaders and stakeholders across the organisation
• Delivering people solutions that support organisational performance and service objectives

Portfolio responsibilities may vary in line with organisational priorities and emerging business needs.

Shape the future of work, care and culture in Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. We are creating a new Strategic People Partner role at a pivotal moment for our organisation. As we redesign services, develop integrated neighbourhood teams and transform how we work, we're looking for an experienced people professional who can help shape the workforce, leadership and culture needed for the future. This is not a traditional HR Business Partner role. You'll work alongside senior leaders to influence workforce strategy, organisational design, service transformation and cultural change, ensuring our people agenda enables outstanding care and supports new ways of working. We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with a strong commitment to inclusion, belonging and values-based leadership. You'll be confident working in complex environments, building trusted relationships and helping leaders navigate change. At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we want our values to be reflected in everyday experiences, creating a workplace where difference is celebrated, diverse perspectives are welcomed and everyone feels they belong. If you're passionate about shaping organisations, developing inclusive cultures and designing workforce solutions that make a lasting difference to colleagues, patients and communities, we'd love to hear from you. This is a rare opportunity to help create the future, not simply respond to it.

Proposed interview dates: 12th & 13th November 2026

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability. We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK. Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff. We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner. Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.