Job summary
Are
you passionate about health and care research? The NIHR is looking for a
HR/OD Lead with experience of providing strategic and operational workforce
in the public sector and / or working in a research environment to join our
teams providing HR and OD expertise to strategic and operational business
making and developing innovative people solutions to support business plans
and strategy working.
The
NIHR enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that
improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.
Successful
applicants will be flexible, proactive, responsible, have great communication
skills, and be able to work as part of a team to ensure delivery of the
relevant portfolio of work.
This
position offers a great opportunity to work as part of an enthusiastic and
skilled multidisciplinary team to provide excellent HR/OD support to
colleagues across the NIHR Academy, playing a pivotal role in attracting,
training and supporting the best health and care researchers to tackle the
complex challenges of the future.
This
is a great time to join NIHR as we look to expand many of our activities and
deliver an excellent experience for those developing their health and care
research careers.
We
encourage individuals who are considering applying to contact the office and
have a conversation with the hiring manager.
Shortlisting
date: 31 July 2025
Interview
date: 13 August 2025
Main duties of the job
The
successful candidate will:
be
responsible for the provision of strategic and operational workforce support to
ensure best practice people management within the NIHR Academy.
support
and report into the NIHR Academy Executive Board and will be the main contact
for all strategic and complex workforce matters including learning and
development.
be
responsible for ensuring the contribution of HR and OD expertise to strategic
and operational business decision making and developing innovative people
solutions to support business plans and strategy working alongside senior
managers to develop plans to take forward NIHR Academy priorities
lead
on initiatives relating to workforce modernisation and service improvement
through effective people management
identify
and address development needs in relation to people management skills,
capacity, and capability within the NIHR Academy.
The
post holder is required to maintain knowledge on employment case law, changes
to employment legislation, NHS national guidance, developments in best practice
HR, and policy within the host LTHT and the NIHR Academy to assess its impact
and review ways of working across the organisation.
The post holder is accountable for the HR advice given
to management teams, as well, where necessary, the interpretation of different
strands of HR advice from specialist areas.
About us
The
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission to
improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR plays
a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers
and complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class research
facilities and a skilled research workforce.
This
role is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers the
work of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect of
academic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres and
the Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department of
Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To
be the HR / OD Lead at NIHR Academy working with and reporting into the
Assistant Director Finance, Governance and People providing specialised
knowledge and advice on HR/OD. The post holder will be part of the Finance,
Governance and People team. NIHR Academy has approximately 130 employees and
a budget in excess of £10m. As the HR
and OD expert, the post holder will be required to take the lead on strategic
HR, OD and Training and Development issues, advising and recommending actions
to the NIHR Academy Executive Board and Senior Leadership teams, thereby
ensuring compliance with employment law and governance requirements.
To
inform the annual business planning process and support the NIHR Academy
agenda by contributing to the workforce planning cycle, service improvement
and role design. Develop and implement local workforce plans for the NIHR
Academy as part of the strategic planning process, tailored to the business
ensuring delivery of NIHR Academy objectives.
To
advise and support the NIHR Academy in the development and modernisation of
their services and related workforce requirements to include effective
workforce utilisation, role design, workforce restructuring, skill mix and
management of change in line with best practices and LTHT Policies and
Procedures.
To
lead on the design and review of strategic organisational development and
change initiatives in partnership with managers and staff to ensure change is
implemented in compliance with good employment practices and the Trusts
Policy in respect of behaviours and values, service improvement initiatives,
equality and diversity and corporate social responsibility, and proactively
engaging with staff representatives if appropriate.
Ensure
a culture of succession planning within the NIHR Academy to ensure vacancy
levels are appropriately managed and short-term, high-cost interim solutions
are limited.
Lead
the analysis and review of metrics, Staff Survey results and workforce
information reports for the NIHR Academy highlighting areas for concern.
Proactively work with managers and colleagues to put plans in place to
resolve areas of concern and/or manage risks, ensuring delivery of HR
performance targets. Ensure that unresolved areas of concern and risks are
escalated appropriately through the Trusts workforce governance structure if
necessary.
Ensure
the delivery of NIHR Academys SLA workforce performance targets. This will
involve helping managers to identify how targets can best be achieved.
Contribute
to the development and review of key workforce performance indicators.
Devise
and deliver cultural change management programmes which will assist in the
delivery of the NIHR Academy and Trusts overarching strategy and are in
accordance with the Leeds Way.
Develop
and implement interventions and programmes to ensure managers are confident,
competent and supported to manage their staff effectively.
Coach
and guide senior managers in all staff management related issues - managing
change, maximising individual performance, building high performance teams
and dealing with conflict.
Advise
NIHR Academy Executive Board and line managers on the interpretation and
application of terms and conditions of employment, LTHT Trust policies,
current legislation and codes of practice.
Foster
a positive climate of employee relations within the NIHR Academy, to support
the implementation of a partnership approach and to develop and maintain good
working relationships with representatives of Trade Unions and staff
organisations if required.
Ensure
managers are equipped to manage informal issues with their staff effectively,
providing best practice advice to minimise escalation to formal processes,
where appropriate.
To
provide coaching and leadership to senior managers and enable them to develop
the necessary skills to effectively manage people issues within their teams.
To
identify and address development needs in relation to people management
skills, capacity and capability within the NIHR Academy.
To
lead on effective appraisal and personal development implementation within
the NIHR Academy.
To
lead on the implementation of HR, organisational development and training
systems and policies across the NIHR Academy as measured by key performance
indicators, reporting progress to the NIHR Academy Executive Board,
To
interpret HR policy and legislation, providing guidance to managers within
the NIHR Academy in cases with unique characteristics, or where precedent has
not yet been set.
Work
with NIHR Academy management teams to ensure that staff within the
organisation have an annual appraisal and personal development plan
commensurate with their role.
In
addition to the general responsibility for equality and diversity, this
postholder should act as a role model in respect of equality and diversity
and foster a culture within that encourages inclusion.
To
regularly prepare reports, analyses and position papers as required, for NIHR
Academy Executive Board including regular updating of the relevant areas
within the NIHR annual business plan and reports to DHSC.
To
manage a team promoting the NIHR Academy values and positive culture.
To
perform any other duties commensurate with the grade of post under the
direction of the Assistant Director Finance, Governance and People,
including leading on strategic projects where required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To
be the HR / OD Lead at NIHR Academy working with and reporting into the
Assistant Director Finance, Governance and People providing specialised
knowledge and advice on HR/OD. The post holder will be part of the Finance,
Governance and People team. NIHR Academy has approximately 130 employees and
a budget in excess of £10m. As the HR
and OD expert, the post holder will be required to take the lead on strategic
HR, OD and Training and Development issues, advising and recommending actions
to the NIHR Academy Executive Board and Senior Leadership teams, thereby
ensuring compliance with employment law and governance requirements.
To
inform the annual business planning process and support the NIHR Academy
agenda by contributing to the workforce planning cycle, service improvement
and role design. Develop and implement local workforce plans for the NIHR
Academy as part of the strategic planning process, tailored to the business
ensuring delivery of NIHR Academy objectives.
To
advise and support the NIHR Academy in the development and modernisation of
their services and related workforce requirements to include effective
workforce utilisation, role design, workforce restructuring, skill mix and
management of change in line with best practices and LTHT Policies and
Procedures.
To
lead on the design and review of strategic organisational development and
change initiatives in partnership with managers and staff to ensure change is
implemented in compliance with good employment practices and the Trusts
Policy in respect of behaviours and values, service improvement initiatives,
equality and diversity and corporate social responsibility, and proactively
engaging with staff representatives if appropriate.
Ensure
a culture of succession planning within the NIHR Academy to ensure vacancy
levels are appropriately managed and short-term, high-cost interim solutions
are limited.
Lead
the analysis and review of metrics, Staff Survey results and workforce
information reports for the NIHR Academy highlighting areas for concern.
Proactively work with managers and colleagues to put plans in place to
resolve areas of concern and/or manage risks, ensuring delivery of HR
performance targets. Ensure that unresolved areas of concern and risks are
escalated appropriately through the Trusts workforce governance structure if
necessary.
Ensure
the delivery of NIHR Academys SLA workforce performance targets. This will
involve helping managers to identify how targets can best be achieved.
Contribute
to the development and review of key workforce performance indicators.
Devise
and deliver cultural change management programmes which will assist in the
delivery of the NIHR Academy and Trusts overarching strategy and are in
accordance with the Leeds Way.
Develop
and implement interventions and programmes to ensure managers are confident,
competent and supported to manage their staff effectively.
Coach
and guide senior managers in all staff management related issues - managing
change, maximising individual performance, building high performance teams
and dealing with conflict.
Advise
NIHR Academy Executive Board and line managers on the interpretation and
application of terms and conditions of employment, LTHT Trust policies,
current legislation and codes of practice.
Foster
a positive climate of employee relations within the NIHR Academy, to support
the implementation of a partnership approach and to develop and maintain good
working relationships with representatives of Trade Unions and staff
organisations if required.
Ensure
managers are equipped to manage informal issues with their staff effectively,
providing best practice advice to minimise escalation to formal processes,
where appropriate.
To
provide coaching and leadership to senior managers and enable them to develop
the necessary skills to effectively manage people issues within their teams.
To
identify and address development needs in relation to people management
skills, capacity and capability within the NIHR Academy.
To
lead on effective appraisal and personal development implementation within
the NIHR Academy.
To
lead on the implementation of HR, organisational development and training
systems and policies across the NIHR Academy as measured by key performance
indicators, reporting progress to the NIHR Academy Executive Board,
To
interpret HR policy and legislation, providing guidance to managers within
the NIHR Academy in cases with unique characteristics, or where precedent has
not yet been set.
Work
with NIHR Academy management teams to ensure that staff within the
organisation have an annual appraisal and personal development plan
commensurate with their role.
In
addition to the general responsibility for equality and diversity, this
postholder should act as a role model in respect of equality and diversity
and foster a culture within that encourages inclusion.
To
regularly prepare reports, analyses and position papers as required, for NIHR
Academy Executive Board including regular updating of the relevant areas
within the NIHR annual business plan and reports to DHSC.
To
manage a team promoting the NIHR Academy values and positive culture.
To
perform any other duties commensurate with the grade of post under the
direction of the Assistant Director Finance, Governance and People,
including leading on strategic projects where required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in HR-related specialism or equivalent experience
- CIPD or similar post-graduate qualification in HR-related subject
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
- Strategic planning and change management skills
- Strong leadership skills
- Honesty and personal integrity
- Role model for equality and diversity
- Accept responsibility and accountability for own actions and decisions
- Take responsibility for own learning and development and share learning and knowledge with others
- Using resources available in an effective, efficient and timely manner having proper regard to the best interests of the Trust
- Respect confidentiality
- Seek to ensure that no-one is unlawfully discriminated against
- Ensure that staff are helped to maintain and improve their knowledge and skills and achieve their full potential
- Ensure that judgements about colleagues (including appraisals and references) are consistent, fair and unbiased and are properly founded
- Show commitment to working as a team by working to create an environment in which leadership is encouraged and developed at all levels
Other criteria
Essential
- Effective communication
- Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
- Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence others at all levels within the organisation. This includes effective communication within situations which are emotionally charged and potentially hostile
- Ability to influence and motivate others
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working within HR and Organisational Change
- Experience of workforce planning
- Experience of embedding innovative HR / OD practice
- Specialist knowledge of employment law
- Knowledge of service improvement initiatives within the NHS
- Knowledge and understanding of appraisal and personal development policies and procedures
- Experience of developing the people management skills of others
Desirable
- Knowledge of LTHT HR policies
- Working knowledge of NHS terms and conditions and NHS Key
- Performance Indicators and how they are applied
- Previous NHS experience
- Previous experience as an HR business partner
- Experience of service improvement initiatives within the NHS
- Experience of leading change in respect of appraisal and personal development policies and procedures
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in HR-related specialism or equivalent experience
- CIPD or similar post-graduate qualification in HR-related subject
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
- Strategic planning and change management skills
- Strong leadership skills
- Honesty and personal integrity
- Role model for equality and diversity
- Accept responsibility and accountability for own actions and decisions
- Take responsibility for own learning and development and share learning and knowledge with others
- Using resources available in an effective, efficient and timely manner having proper regard to the best interests of the Trust
- Respect confidentiality
- Seek to ensure that no-one is unlawfully discriminated against
- Ensure that staff are helped to maintain and improve their knowledge and skills and achieve their full potential
- Ensure that judgements about colleagues (including appraisals and references) are consistent, fair and unbiased and are properly founded
- Show commitment to working as a team by working to create an environment in which leadership is encouraged and developed at all levels
Other criteria
Essential
- Effective communication
- Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
- Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence others at all levels within the organisation. This includes effective communication within situations which are emotionally charged and potentially hostile
- Ability to influence and motivate others
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working within HR and Organisational Change
- Experience of workforce planning
- Experience of embedding innovative HR / OD practice
- Specialist knowledge of employment law
- Knowledge of service improvement initiatives within the NHS
- Knowledge and understanding of appraisal and personal development policies and procedures
- Experience of developing the people management skills of others
Desirable
- Knowledge of LTHT HR policies
- Working knowledge of NHS terms and conditions and NHS Key
- Performance Indicators and how they are applied
- Previous NHS experience
- Previous experience as an HR business partner
- Experience of service improvement initiatives within the NHS
- Experience of leading change in respect of appraisal and personal development policies and procedures
Additional information
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).
