Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Divisional Head of Workforceto play a pivotal leadership role within our organisation. As the strategic workforce partner to a clinical division, you will lead the development and delivery of workforce plans, provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters, and drive transformational change that supports high-quality patient care.
In this role, you will work closely with senior leaders, offering credible and influential guidance across all workforce areas including organisational change, recruitment and retention, staff engagement, leadership development, and workforce performance. You will analyse and interpret workforce data to shape decision-making, lead on divisional workforce KPIs, and ensure compliance with employment law, policy, governance, and equality standards.
You will also champion a culture of staff engagement and continuous improvement, coach leaders to build capability, and support the creation of a positive, inclusive, and a high-performing environment. As a key member of the divisional leadership team, you will contribute to strategic planning, financial oversight, and major organisational projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled HR professional who enjoys working at scale and driving meaningful change. If you are collaborative, proactive, and passionate about delivering outstanding workforce outcomes, we would love to hear from you
Main duties of the job
As a member of the Divisional Board, the Divisional Head of Workforce plays a pivotal role in leading HR provision across the Division, providing expert advice on the full spectrum of workforce matters. This senior role shapes and delivers strategic HR direction to support high-quality patient care, operational efficiency, workforce productivity, and the achievement of both Trust and Divisional objectives.
Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, the Divisional Head of Workforce drives forward planning, transformation initiatives, staff engagement, and workforce performance. The role also champions the embedding of best HR practice and the development of management capability across the Division.
In partnership with the Associate Directors of Workforce, the Divisional Head of Workforce contributes to the delivery of the Trust's strategic workforce priorities, ensuring the Division remains a high-performing, engaged, and sustainable part of the organisation.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentThis vacancy will close at midnight on the 23rd March 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on the 16th March 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentThis vacancy will close at midnight on the 23rd March 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on the 16th March 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MCIPD qualified or equivalent proven HR skills and experience.
- Masters level or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of further professional/personal development .
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in an HR function at a senior level in a large complex organisation.
- Extensive experience demonstrating competence across complex employee relations matters, including performance management and direct involvement in complex disciplinary, and grievance cases.
- Significant experience of complex, large organisational change programmes including TUPE and redundancies.
- Experience of leading and managing a team, inspiring confidence and facilitating their development.
- Experience of developing long ranging workforce plans, recruitment and retention and staff engagement strategies.
- Proven track record in board member responsibility and active participation in creating and executing divisional business plans and CIP programmes.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an HR function in the NHS.
- Experience of working in a unionised environment.
- Experience of integrated workforce information systems.
- Experience of contributing to regional network meetings when required.
- Policy review and development.
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist and expert knowledge of agenda for change terms and conditions.
- Knowledge and understanding of key NHS and HR issues both local and national.
- A sound working knowledge of employment legislation and case law and its application a wide range of professional groups.
- Understanding of the role of HR in the planning & delivery of the Trust Business Plan.
- Sound knowledge, understanding and direct experience of best practice in people management issues.
Desirable
- Appreciation of the requirements of working in a large complex organisation.
Skills
Essential
- Political awareness and sensitivity in particular when working with senior operational and clinical staff including Directors.
- Proven problem solving skills.
- Able to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Strategic awareness - able to align Workforce activities with wider Trust and Divisional objectives.
- Planning and organisational skills - able to prioritise and work to tight timescales.
- Ability to deliver bespoke and management training.
- Self-motivated with resilience and tenacity.
- Able to evaluate situations and assimilate information quickly.
- Excellent IT skills including ability to use the full range of MS Office applications.
- Responsive and outcome driven.
- Highly effective interpersonal skills including negotiation and influencing skills.
- Able to be assertive when appropriate.
- Able to manage pressure.
- Able to deal with emotionally difficult and challenging situations sometimes including verbal aggression.
- Excellent verbal and written communication - able to draft well written and reasoned cases, investigation and appeal reports.
- Able to identify, interpret and analyse workforce reports, financial reports, complex legal decisions and case law.
- Leadership and drive to champion improvement initiatives.
- Proven coaching and facilitation skills.
Desirable
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Customer focused and able to work within the Trust Values.
- Ability to develop strong working relationships both internally and externally.
- Able to attend meetings or conferences outside the region and outside normal working hours as required.
- Undertake departmental and Trust induction.
- Undertake mandatory training on ongoing basis.
- Maintains own continuing professional and personal development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MCIPD qualified or equivalent proven HR skills and experience.
- Masters level or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of further professional/personal development .
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in an HR function at a senior level in a large complex organisation.
- Extensive experience demonstrating competence across complex employee relations matters, including performance management and direct involvement in complex disciplinary, and grievance cases.
- Significant experience of complex, large organisational change programmes including TUPE and redundancies.
- Experience of leading and managing a team, inspiring confidence and facilitating their development.
- Experience of developing long ranging workforce plans, recruitment and retention and staff engagement strategies.
- Proven track record in board member responsibility and active participation in creating and executing divisional business plans and CIP programmes.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an HR function in the NHS.
- Experience of working in a unionised environment.
- Experience of integrated workforce information systems.
- Experience of contributing to regional network meetings when required.
- Policy review and development.
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist and expert knowledge of agenda for change terms and conditions.
- Knowledge and understanding of key NHS and HR issues both local and national.
- A sound working knowledge of employment legislation and case law and its application a wide range of professional groups.
- Understanding of the role of HR in the planning & delivery of the Trust Business Plan.
- Sound knowledge, understanding and direct experience of best practice in people management issues.
Desirable
- Appreciation of the requirements of working in a large complex organisation.
Skills
Essential
- Political awareness and sensitivity in particular when working with senior operational and clinical staff including Directors.
- Proven problem solving skills.
- Able to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Strategic awareness - able to align Workforce activities with wider Trust and Divisional objectives.
- Planning and organisational skills - able to prioritise and work to tight timescales.
- Ability to deliver bespoke and management training.
- Self-motivated with resilience and tenacity.
- Able to evaluate situations and assimilate information quickly.
- Excellent IT skills including ability to use the full range of MS Office applications.
- Responsive and outcome driven.
- Highly effective interpersonal skills including negotiation and influencing skills.
- Able to be assertive when appropriate.
- Able to manage pressure.
- Able to deal with emotionally difficult and challenging situations sometimes including verbal aggression.
- Excellent verbal and written communication - able to draft well written and reasoned cases, investigation and appeal reports.
- Able to identify, interpret and analyse workforce reports, financial reports, complex legal decisions and case law.
- Leadership and drive to champion improvement initiatives.
- Proven coaching and facilitation skills.
Desirable
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Customer focused and able to work within the Trust Values.
- Ability to develop strong working relationships both internally and externally.
- Able to attend meetings or conferences outside the region and outside normal working hours as required.
- Undertake departmental and Trust induction.
- Undertake mandatory training on ongoing basis.
- Maintains own continuing professional and personal development.
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hopsital-Division Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB22 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)