Deputy Director of Workforce and Organisational Development

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 18 May 2025

Job summary

We are seeking an exceptional and experienced Deputy Director of Workforce & Organisational Development (OD) to join our Trust and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our Workforce Strategy. This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity for an individual passionate about transformational leadership, employee engagement, and organisational development to make a significant impact for our staff and patients.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the workforce, have opportunity for personal and professional development in a supportive, innovative environment and work in a culture that values inclusion, continuous learning, and collaborative leadership.

Working for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS FT you will feel a sense of belonging and inclusion, you will have the opportunity to grow and develop, feel cared for, valued and supported.

You will be accountable to the Director of Workforce & Organisational Development and will provide senior leadership across a range of key workforce functions. You will be responsible for leading and developing the following areas:

  • Organisational and Workforce Development and Learning
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Employee Services
  • Occupational Health & Wellbeing
  • Employee Relations

Main duties of the job

This is a transformational leadership role where you will work closely with senior leaders to support the development and delivery of workforce and inclusion strategies that align with the Trusts organisational objectives.

You will be an inclusive leader, treating people fairly with civility and respect, encouraging communication and collaboration and seeking continuous learning and improvement. You will be a member of CIPD and have a masters level qualification or equivalent level of knowledge gained though qualification plus significant experience working in Human Resources / Organisational Development.

You will have extensive experience in a senior leadership role within Workforce & Organisational Development or a similar HR-related field. A strong background in workforce strategy, organisational change, employee relations, and talent management. Proven ability to lead complex projects and drive transformation across multiple workforce functions and experience in driving digital development and improving the efficiency of workforce and OD systems and processes.

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Sonia Atkinson, Deputy Director of HR & OD, or Kath Griffin, Executive Director of HR & OD on 0191 565 6256 Ext 42049.

About us

Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.

Date posted

02 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£74,290 to £85,601 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CRAC-0525-02

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder is a senior professional workforce lead for the Trust, accountable to the Director of Workforce & Organisational Development and is responsible for providing senior leadership and direction to the following key workforce functions:

  • Organisational and Workforce Development and Learning
  • Employee Services
  • Occupational Health & Wellbeing
  • Employee Relations

This is a transformational leadership role and the postholder will be a key contributor in the development and delivery of workforce and inclusion strategies to support the Trust organisational objectives.

The postholder will provide high level subject matter expertise, advice, guidance and support to workforce & OD colleagues and the wider Trust, across the areas of organisational change, service and team redesign, workforce strategy, policy and employment law, terms and conditions and reward and remuneration.

In partnership with other leaders, there will be a focus on supporting the development of best employment practices, organisational cultural development and recruitment and retention.

The postholder will also support digital development across the Workforce & OD teams to improve efficiency, accessibility, and overall effectiveness of workforce systems and processes.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE POST.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder is a senior professional workforce lead for the Trust, accountable to the Director of Workforce & Organisational Development and is responsible for providing senior leadership and direction to the following key workforce functions:

  • Organisational and Workforce Development and Learning
  • Employee Services
  • Occupational Health & Wellbeing
  • Employee Relations

This is a transformational leadership role and the postholder will be a key contributor in the development and delivery of workforce and inclusion strategies to support the Trust organisational objectives.

The postholder will provide high level subject matter expertise, advice, guidance and support to workforce & OD colleagues and the wider Trust, across the areas of organisational change, service and team redesign, workforce strategy, policy and employment law, terms and conditions and reward and remuneration.

In partnership with other leaders, there will be a focus on supporting the development of best employment practices, organisational cultural development and recruitment and retention.

The postholder will also support digital development across the Workforce & OD teams to improve efficiency, accessibility, and overall effectiveness of workforce systems and processes.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE POST.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of strategic and operational management across a wide range of deliverables encompassing team performance /significant budgetary management and staff management across a range of workforce functions.
  • Strong track record of managing change successfully in highly complex environments
  • Significant experience of direct management and development of professional staff as well as using communication and relationship skills to coach and challenge Board, executive leaders and senior leaders
  • Experience of enabling a positive and sustainable culture shift to deliver a positive employment experience and improve service performance.
  • Experience of increasing staff engagement across own team and wider, complex organisation.
  • Proven track record of implementing change and leadership, cultural, wellbeing and equality initiatives
  • Experience of partnership working and consultations with Trade Unions
  • Demonstrable experience of collaborative working with key stakeholders within and external to the organisation
  • Change management, TUPE, re-designing of teams and new ways of working to meet strategic objectives and to increase workforce productivity and efficiency
  • Complex ER cases, including MHPS

Qualifications

Essential

  • MCIPD
  • Masters qualification or equivalent level of knowledge gained through qualification plus significant experience of working at the required level in relevant discipline
  • Evidence of continuing academic and professional training and development (CPD).

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Expert knowledge of current HR and workforce legislation and best practice
  • Understanding of the context in which NHS Workforce services are provided
  • In depth and highly specialised knowledge over a range functions combined with broad experience gained over an extended period including an understanding and knowledge of culture issues and theories.
  • Ability to work with partners to develop innovative approaches to workforce change through culture, engagement, leadership, health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and training and development
  • Ability to forge productive working partnerships on local, regional and national levels
  • Competent in the theory and application of OD tools and techniques
  • Able to work strategically and deal with conflicting priorities
  • Ability to manage projects and multiple/diverse complex tasks requiring analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to drive improvement through coaching and performance management
  • Ability to challenge ways of working and facilitate change
  • Personal resilience in the face of challenge and able to deliver high quality work under pressure
Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of strategic and operational management across a wide range of deliverables encompassing team performance /significant budgetary management and staff management across a range of workforce functions.
  • Strong track record of managing change successfully in highly complex environments
  • Significant experience of direct management and development of professional staff as well as using communication and relationship skills to coach and challenge Board, executive leaders and senior leaders
  • Experience of enabling a positive and sustainable culture shift to deliver a positive employment experience and improve service performance.
  • Experience of increasing staff engagement across own team and wider, complex organisation.
  • Proven track record of implementing change and leadership, cultural, wellbeing and equality initiatives
  • Experience of partnership working and consultations with Trade Unions
  • Demonstrable experience of collaborative working with key stakeholders within and external to the organisation
  • Change management, TUPE, re-designing of teams and new ways of working to meet strategic objectives and to increase workforce productivity and efficiency
  • Complex ER cases, including MHPS

Qualifications

Essential

  • MCIPD
  • Masters qualification or equivalent level of knowledge gained through qualification plus significant experience of working at the required level in relevant discipline
  • Evidence of continuing academic and professional training and development (CPD).

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Expert knowledge of current HR and workforce legislation and best practice
  • Understanding of the context in which NHS Workforce services are provided
  • In depth and highly specialised knowledge over a range functions combined with broad experience gained over an extended period including an understanding and knowledge of culture issues and theories.
  • Ability to work with partners to develop innovative approaches to workforce change through culture, engagement, leadership, health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and training and development
  • Ability to forge productive working partnerships on local, regional and national levels
  • Competent in the theory and application of OD tools and techniques
  • Able to work strategically and deal with conflicting priorities
  • Ability to manage projects and multiple/diverse complex tasks requiring analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to drive improvement through coaching and performance management
  • Ability to challenge ways of working and facilitate change
  • Personal resilience in the face of challenge and able to deliver high quality work under pressure

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 (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).

Additional information

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 (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).

Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director of HR & OD

Sonia Atkinson

sonia.atkinson@nhs.net

01915656256

Date posted

02 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£74,290 to £85,601 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CRAC-0525-02

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)