Job summary
A rare opportunity for an experienced senior HR leader to shape the future of People Services in a values driven NHS Trust.
As Associate Director of People Services, you will strengthen how we support and empower our workforce. You will lead People Relations and People Business Partnering, overseeing complex, high risk casework, shaping employment policy, and embedding a restorative, just and inclusive culture.
This role suits someone who thrives in complexity, brings calm and credibility and balances strategic leadership with hands on expertise. You will work closely with Executive leaders, clinical divisions, trade unions and senior managers, providing trusted advice on sensitive, legally complex and reputational matters.
You will be emotionally intelligent, values led and resilient, able to influence at senior level while staying mindful of the human impact of people decisions.
Why work with us?
You will join a supportive leadership environment where your expertise is trusted, your voice is valued and your impact is visible. We value autonomy, psychological safety, ethical decision making and professional growth, alongside high standards and accountability.
This is a role for someone who wants to shape strategy, lead cultural change and make a lasting impact.
Stakeholder session and formal interview: The stakeholder session will be held before the formal interview. The formal interview is provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 4 March 2026 (subject to confirmation).
Main duties of the job
About the role
As Associate Director of People Services, you will:
o Provide senior strategic leadership for the Trust's people relations agendao Lead complex and high-risk case management, including Employment Tribunalso Champion a restorative, just and learning culture across the organisationo Lead and develop our People Business Partners and Head of People Relationso Shape employment policy and governance at Trust levelo Provide expert advice to Executive Directors and senior leaderso Oversee workforce planning and divisional people strategieso Strengthen data-led decision making and performance reportingo Act as nominated deputy to the Deputy Director of People
This role sits at the heart of our organisational culture and risk governance, making it a rare opportunity to influence strategy, practice and leadership at scale.
About us
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.
We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.
Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.
Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Associate Director of People Services is a senior leadership role within the People Division, providing strategic leadership acrossPeople Relations and People Business Partnering.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of People, the post holder will lead the Trusts people relations agenda, ensuring high-quality, legally compliant and compassionate people practices that support workforce wellbeing, organisational performance and patient care.
Key Responsibilities Lead the Trust-wide People Relations function, providing oversight of complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals Act as a trusted senior advisor to Executive Directors, clinical leaders and senior managers Lead and develop the People Business Partnering service, ensuring divisions are supported strategically and consistently Champion a restorative, just and inclusive culture across the organisation Lead employment policy development and ensure compliance with employment law, ACAS and NHS guidance Provide governance, assurance and reporting on people relations risks and trends to senior leadership and committees Lead organisational change programmes in partnership with trade unions and stakeholders Line manage the Head of People Relations and People Business Partners, supporting high performance and development Use people data and insight to inform workforce planning and decision-making Deputise for the Deputy Director of People as required
This role requires a senior HR professional with strong employee relations expertise, high emotional intelligence and the credibility to operate at Board and system level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Associate Director of People Services is a senior leadership role within the People Division, providing strategic leadership acrossPeople Relations and People Business Partnering.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of People, the post holder will lead the Trusts people relations agenda, ensuring high-quality, legally compliant and compassionate people practices that support workforce wellbeing, organisational performance and patient care.
Key Responsibilities Lead the Trust-wide People Relations function, providing oversight of complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals Act as a trusted senior advisor to Executive Directors, clinical leaders and senior managers Lead and develop the People Business Partnering service, ensuring divisions are supported strategically and consistently Champion a restorative, just and inclusive culture across the organisation Lead employment policy development and ensure compliance with employment law, ACAS and NHS guidance Provide governance, assurance and reporting on people relations risks and trends to senior leadership and committees Lead organisational change programmes in partnership with trade unions and stakeholders Line manage the Head of People Relations and People Business Partners, supporting high performance and development Use people data and insight to inform workforce planning and decision-making Deputise for the Deputy Director of People as required
This role requires a senior HR professional with strong employee relations expertise, high emotional intelligence and the credibility to operate at Board and system level.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Level Education or equivalent experience
- Post graduate Diploma or MSC in HR or equivalent experience
- Chartered Member of the CIPD or Equivalent
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Chartered Fellow of the CIPD
Skills/ Abilities
Essential
- Strong effective communicator in writing, presentations and interpersonal communication
- Ability to communicate highly complex information around change management, difficult disciplinary cases, chairing meetings, presenting reports to committees /board
- Highly developed, demonstrated teamwork skills
- Effective management and delegation skills with the ability to assign work at the correct level
- Results oriented with a clear customer focus
- Demonstrable ability to see the big picture and provide strategic advice and input across the Trust
- Ability to lead in an environment of constant change
- Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks
- Analytical and planning skills with a high attention to detail and process.
- Good understanding of HR Information Systems
- Full range of operational and strategic skills at a senior HR level
- Experience of workforce planning
- Knowledge of best practice facilitation and negotiating skills
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data to inform decision making
- Builds productive working relationships and strategic partnerships with a range of stakeholders, demonstrating self-awareness, perception and a collaborative approach
Desirable
- Working knowledge of NHS pay and reward systems
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading, coaching and building capability in an HR business partner model.
- Experience of working in a senior HR role in a complex environment
- Complex employee relations management experience including Employment Tribunal case management
- Experience of working alongside trade unions and professional organisations in change management, negotiation and mediation situations.
- In-depth knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and procedures
Desirable
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of governance processes including safer recruitment practices
- Knowledge of FOI and SAR principles in relation to the sharing of data
- Budget management
Trust Values, Equal Opportunities & Other Requirements
Essential
- Commitment and adherence to equality, diversity and inclusion
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Level Education or equivalent experience
- Post graduate Diploma or MSC in HR or equivalent experience
- Chartered Member of the CIPD or Equivalent
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Chartered Fellow of the CIPD
Skills/ Abilities
Essential
- Strong effective communicator in writing, presentations and interpersonal communication
- Ability to communicate highly complex information around change management, difficult disciplinary cases, chairing meetings, presenting reports to committees /board
- Highly developed, demonstrated teamwork skills
- Effective management and delegation skills with the ability to assign work at the correct level
- Results oriented with a clear customer focus
- Demonstrable ability to see the big picture and provide strategic advice and input across the Trust
- Ability to lead in an environment of constant change
- Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks
- Analytical and planning skills with a high attention to detail and process.
- Good understanding of HR Information Systems
- Full range of operational and strategic skills at a senior HR level
- Experience of workforce planning
- Knowledge of best practice facilitation and negotiating skills
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data to inform decision making
- Builds productive working relationships and strategic partnerships with a range of stakeholders, demonstrating self-awareness, perception and a collaborative approach
Desirable
- Working knowledge of NHS pay and reward systems
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading, coaching and building capability in an HR business partner model.
- Experience of working in a senior HR role in a complex environment
- Complex employee relations management experience including Employment Tribunal case management
- Experience of working alongside trade unions and professional organisations in change management, negotiation and mediation situations.
- In-depth knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and procedures
Desirable
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of governance processes including safer recruitment practices
- Knowledge of FOI and SAR principles in relation to the sharing of data
- Budget management
Trust Values, Equal Opportunities & Other Requirements
Essential
- Commitment and adherence to equality, diversity and inclusion
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).
