Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Director of Workforce and OD - Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group

The closing date is 08 March 2026

Job summary

Join MFT today, as we search for our next Director of Workforce and OD for Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group at one of the largest and most complex NHS Trusts in England.

Reporting to the Clinical Group Chief Executive, you will drive local delivery of the MFT People Plan, steering the design, development and effective implementation of all Clinical Group workforce, education, training and organisational development plans, ensuring alignment to our Trust strategy and our five key aims.

Naturally, you will have a passion for people, leading by example and role model a compassionate style, empower others in decision making and allow our teams to know they make valuable contributions, leading to a high performing, inclusive, open, and transparent culture.

What is more, you will support the development of the Clinical Group annual plan, ensuring necessary workforce, OD and ED&I objectives are put in place to deliver sufficient workforce capacity and capability to meet operational requirements and satisfy financial controls.

Read on to hear more about the key skills, experience and attitude we are looking for, and what will set you apart in this unique role.

Main duties of the job

  • With a successful track record in a senior workforce and / or OD role within a complex environment or sector, where you have managed and led a HR function, you will ensure all strategies are focused on ensuring high quality, safe patient care, aligned to the Organisational Strategy, MFT People Plan and ED&I Strategy.
  • You will readily be able to deal positively and promptly with colleagues' concerns and personal problems, challenge colleagues on any inappropriate behaviours or poor performance and investigate and deal effectively with complaints.
  • Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of the Clinical Group, you will provide professional workforce and OD advice to the Clinical Group Chief Executive and other SLT members, as well as contributing to Trust-wide workforce activities including OD strategy development.
  • It goes without saying, you will have outstanding personal impact, highly developed interpersonal, networking, advocacy, written and presentation skills that are persuasive and influential and develop relationships that inspire respect, trust and confidence.
  • Finally, as an inspirational leader aligned with MFT values, you will demonstrate high levels of personal and professional judgement in determining the acceptable level of risk. When the situation requires prompt action, acting independently and taking high-level decisions to ensure appropriate quality and safety is maintained

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.

As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high-performing executive team. Our £3bn plus turnover and leading-edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient-centred care and drive continuous improvement.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values-led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.Join us to make a lasting impact--on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.

Details

Date posted

23 February 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Attractive Remuneration Package

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-SHCG-7819975-RL4

Job locations

Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

Candidate Information Pack

To support this vacancy, we have developed a bespoke Candidate Information Pack which provides specific information about the role and the Selection Process. To view this pack, please visit: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/1-2/

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.

Were looking forward to hearing from you!

Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

Candidate Information Pack

To support this vacancy, we have developed a bespoke Candidate Information Pack which provides specific information about the role and the Selection Process. To view this pack, please visit: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/1-2/

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.

Were looking forward to hearing from you!

Person Specification

Qualifications - Academic / Professional

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
  • Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience.
  • Evidence of recent and relevant continuous professional development.
  • Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development or equivalent experience.

Desirable

  • Formal management or leadership qualification.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience Requirements - Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Outstanding personal impact. Highly developed interpersonal, networking, advocacy, written and presentation skills that are persuasive and influential and develop relationships that inspire respect, trust and confidence.
  • Highly developed analytical skills with the ability to think and act strategically, tactically and creatively, while maintaining a clear view of the issues affecting the Clinical Group and MFT.
  • Ability to translate a strategic vision into operation action, to communicate those objectives and ensure they are adhered to.
  • Ability to deal positively and promptly with colleagues' concerns and personal problems, challenge colleagues on any inappropriate behaviours or poor performance and investigate and deal with complaints as required.
  • Ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver high quality outcomes.
  • A high level of political awareness.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience Requirements - Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Extensive senior level leadership and managerial experience within an acute NHS Trust (or comparatively large and complex multi-disciplinary organisation).
  • A successful track record in a senior workforce and / or OD role within a complex environment or sector, managing and leading a HR function.
  • A clear appreciation of the context of acute healthcare provision within the modern NHS, including key corporate and business issues.
  • A strong understanding of national NHS policy and strategy as it relates to workforce and OD.
  • Experience of developing and implementing transformation programmes, including the management of service change and organisational development.
  • A successful track record of delivering a long-term vision whilst responding to short-term challenges and opportunities.
  • A successful track record of developing an organisational culture committed to high quality, people, financial and performance standards.
  • Demonstrable success in building, developing and inspiring high performing multi-professional teams, increasing staff engagement and innovation, and motivation to improve performance.
  • Evidence of communicating successfully and working effectively in co-operation with a wide range of internal and external bodies, including statutory and non-statutory organisations, senior managers, colleagues and their representatives.
  • Experience working on national programmes or contributing to national policy development.

Desirable

  • A strong understanding of how MFT fits into the wider health and social care system.
  • A successful track-record of delivering best practice standards of HR and employment law in the NHS.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Highly motivated, hard-working and self-confident individual with a drive to deliver and commitment to excellence across all areas. Inspires others and leads by example.
  • Aligned to MFT's values
  • Able to communicate openly, effectively listen and is consistently approachable to colleagues.
  • Works in a highly collaborative manner with colleagues across MFT and other system partners to ensure effective partnership work.
  • Able to manage different projects simultaneously with a high degree of autonomy in terms of decision-making and management of deadlines.
  • Able to adapt to changing priorities, problem solve and re-focus the work of self and others on new priority areas that may require urgent action.
  • Can constructively challenge and effectively manage conflict to reach a positive conclusion.
  • High level of personal resilience and ability to work and remain calm in a high-pressure and/or challenging environment.
  • A commitment to personal development and the development of colleagues, with the ability to develop a culture in which all individuals can thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
  • A commitment to the ethical standards expected of public sector leaders in the UK.
  • Passionate commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusivity, internally and externally.
  • Willingness and ability to travel between MFT's sites as required.
Person Specification

Qualifications - Academic / Professional

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
  • Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience.
  • Evidence of recent and relevant continuous professional development.
  • Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development or equivalent experience.

Desirable

  • Formal management or leadership qualification.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience Requirements - Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Outstanding personal impact. Highly developed interpersonal, networking, advocacy, written and presentation skills that are persuasive and influential and develop relationships that inspire respect, trust and confidence.
  • Highly developed analytical skills with the ability to think and act strategically, tactically and creatively, while maintaining a clear view of the issues affecting the Clinical Group and MFT.
  • Ability to translate a strategic vision into operation action, to communicate those objectives and ensure they are adhered to.
  • Ability to deal positively and promptly with colleagues' concerns and personal problems, challenge colleagues on any inappropriate behaviours or poor performance and investigate and deal with complaints as required.
  • Ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver high quality outcomes.
  • A high level of political awareness.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience Requirements - Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Extensive senior level leadership and managerial experience within an acute NHS Trust (or comparatively large and complex multi-disciplinary organisation).
  • A successful track record in a senior workforce and / or OD role within a complex environment or sector, managing and leading a HR function.
  • A clear appreciation of the context of acute healthcare provision within the modern NHS, including key corporate and business issues.
  • A strong understanding of national NHS policy and strategy as it relates to workforce and OD.
  • Experience of developing and implementing transformation programmes, including the management of service change and organisational development.
  • A successful track record of delivering a long-term vision whilst responding to short-term challenges and opportunities.
  • A successful track record of developing an organisational culture committed to high quality, people, financial and performance standards.
  • Demonstrable success in building, developing and inspiring high performing multi-professional teams, increasing staff engagement and innovation, and motivation to improve performance.
  • Evidence of communicating successfully and working effectively in co-operation with a wide range of internal and external bodies, including statutory and non-statutory organisations, senior managers, colleagues and their representatives.
  • Experience working on national programmes or contributing to national policy development.

Desirable

  • A strong understanding of how MFT fits into the wider health and social care system.
  • A successful track-record of delivering best practice standards of HR and employment law in the NHS.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Highly motivated, hard-working and self-confident individual with a drive to deliver and commitment to excellence across all areas. Inspires others and leads by example.
  • Aligned to MFT's values
  • Able to communicate openly, effectively listen and is consistently approachable to colleagues.
  • Works in a highly collaborative manner with colleagues across MFT and other system partners to ensure effective partnership work.
  • Able to manage different projects simultaneously with a high degree of autonomy in terms of decision-making and management of deadlines.
  • Able to adapt to changing priorities, problem solve and re-focus the work of self and others on new priority areas that may require urgent action.
  • Can constructively challenge and effectively manage conflict to reach a positive conclusion.
  • High level of personal resilience and ability to work and remain calm in a high-pressure and/or challenging environment.
  • A commitment to personal development and the development of colleagues, with the ability to develop a culture in which all individuals can thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
  • A commitment to the ethical standards expected of public sector leaders in the UK.
  • Passionate commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusivity, internally and externally.
  • Willingness and ability to travel between MFT's sites as required.

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.

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

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.

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

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Executive

Ursula Martin

Ursula.Martin@mft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

23 February 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Attractive Remuneration Package

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-SHCG-7819975-RL4

Job locations

Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)