Job summary
Public Health Wales is seeking an experienced and values-driven Head of People and Organisational Development (OD) Operations to lead and improve the delivery of our People and OD operational services across the organisation.
This critical leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering a high-performing service across all areas of the employee lifecycle - including workforce planning, recruitment, job evaluation, policy development, employee relations, people analytics, and systems. You will develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement, inclusion, and excellence, ensuring People and OD operations meet evolving organisational needs through user centred approaches.
You'll also play a key role in fostering positive working relationships with Trade Unions, leading on complex employee relations matters, and ensuring policies reflect both legal standards and our commitment to wellbeing, equality, and respect.
We welcome applications from people who share our values and are passionate about improving the employee experience across the public health workforce in Wales.
Main duties of the job
Whilst in role, the key aspects you'll be working through are:
Lead the People and OD Operations function, delivering high-quality, consistent, and responsive services across the full employee lifecycle.
Provide strategic advice and operational leadership across areas such as policy development, employment relations, job evaluation, and workforce planning.
Build and maintain collaborative and constructive relationships with Trade Unions, providing expert leadership in complex employee relations cases and promoting good industrial relations.
Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legislation, best practice, and organisational culture.
Champion initiatives that promote employee engagement, wellbeing, and inclusion, embedding continuous improvement and staff voice across the service.
Represent Public Health Wales at local and national workforce forums, supporting the development and implementation of all-Wales people policies and initiatives.
Develop and manage budgets and contracts within the People and OD Operations function, ensuring value for money and effective governance.
Produce complex reports, papers, and proposals for senior stakeholders including the Executive Team and Board Committees.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is 'working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives. With our partners, we aim to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level in relevant discipline or equivalent knowledge and expertise.
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent qualification in Human Resources or Organisational Development, or equivalent level of skills and knowledge.
- Chartered membership of CIPD or working towards attainment. This may have been attained through an Experience Assessment
- Strong knowledge of OD principles, HR best practices, and UK employment law.
Desirable
- FCIPD or equivalent professional qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of People and OD operations in a large, complex organisation.
- Proven experience across a broad range of People and OD areas, including case management, governance, policies, and procedures.
- Experience of dealing with complex employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals.
- Experience of fostering positive and collaborative working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including Trade Unions and professional associations.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to clearly convey ideas and information to others, using highly developed and effective written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable
- The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level in relevant discipline or equivalent knowledge and expertise.
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent qualification in Human Resources or Organisational Development, or equivalent level of skills and knowledge.
- Chartered membership of CIPD or working towards attainment. This may have been attained through an Experience Assessment
- Strong knowledge of OD principles, HR best practices, and UK employment law.
Desirable
- FCIPD or equivalent professional qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of People and OD operations in a large, complex organisation.
- Proven experience across a broad range of People and OD areas, including case management, governance, policies, and procedures.
- Experience of dealing with complex employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals.
- Experience of fostering positive and collaborative working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including Trade Unions and professional associations.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to clearly convey ideas and information to others, using highly developed and effective written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable
- The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
