South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

People Business Partner

The closing date is 23 November 2025

Job summary

37.5 hours per week

We are looking for an experienced People Business Partner to join our new senior leadership team. As a key member of our People Directorate leadership team, you will work directly to the Deputy Chief People Officer.

You'll be the key connection between our clinical and corporate services and the People Directorate, helping to bring our new workforce strategy to life.

You'll work independently and strategically, acting as a trusted advisor to leaders and teams within your designated business areas, to anticipate workforce themes and risks and to co- create appropriate plans and solutions that improve employee experience and support the Trusts strategic aims.

  • Lead workforce planning and development projects.
  • Use data and KPIs to support performance improvements.
  • Promote fair and effective people management.
  • Support leaders through change and transformation.
  • Encourage diversity, inclusion, and engagement.
  • Represent the People Directorate in meetings and forums.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

Main duties of the job

1.You will be an integral part of the local leadership team acting as critical friend, analysing data to identify emerging themes, trends and risks and bringing these into the leadership team discussions to co create solutions and risk mitigations.

2.Using key data, support critical business plans and performance improvements, such as:

progression of employee relations cases with reference to expected timescales and any associated themes;

understanding and pre-empting any hotspots and risks in relation to key people metrics;

people risks as articulated on local operational risk registers;

workforce plans including workforce supply plans.

3.Act as conduit between the People Directorate and the care groups/services to support the implementation and embedding of workforce programmes to support the delivery of Trust strategy.

4.Influencing cultural change within services and business areas, by connecting the People Directorate team and the care group to enable muti disciplinary conversations and to co create solutions to emerging risks and issues.

5.Creating stronger linker links between People Directorate teams by supporting and enabling a multi-disciplinary approach within the Directorate leadership team.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

11 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-QA01419

Job locations

Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF13SP


Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The People Business Partner is required to work in a business focused way in support of a designated care group for which they will be required fully understand the strategic vision and direction to effectively diagnose and engage appropriate strategic and operational workforce and development input and support, ensuring deployment of the Trust-wide workforce strategy to make the Trust a great place to work.

This role is an autonomous practitioner and will require the use of workforce and OD skills, working closely with management teams and employees to improve the employee experience within the service and Trust.

They will act as a conduit between the Care Groups and the People Directorate and will ensure specialist input from members of the People Directorate to facilitate delivery of the Care Groups business plans. They will provide insights based on workforce intelligence and reporting and ensure action is taken where appropriate.

Specifically, they will:

Ensure the people services is customer focused efficient, effective, adds value to the organisation and employees and is delivered to the highest professional standard.

Act as an advocate of change and transformation in support of business and people strategies and champion best practice people management, influencing key business decisions to ensure the effective management of staff through a fair, efficient and pragmatic application of best practice to ensure successful delivery of patient focused services.

Provide advice and guidance on very complex, sensitive, and contentious people issues to minimise risk and champion effective management of staff through fair, efficient and pragmatic just culture process that meet the people plan and people best practice by developing, recommending, and supporting the implementation of appropriate people intervention.

  • Using appropriate metrics, surveys, and employee engagement to identify problem areas and work with specialist People Directorate colleagues to develop appropriate interventions and solutions by facilitating improvement process concerning individuals, groups, and teams.

To take a lead role in the area, for monitoring, reporting, analysing, and improving people performance against agreed Trust people performance metrics (KPI) and, where relevant, external contract performance parameters.

As a member of the People Directorate Leadership Team (PDLT), contribute to the development of the People strategy and priorities and share intelligence regarding Care Group strategy. Undertake specific projects to support delivery of the people strategy, both within the Care group and across the Trust as required.

  • As a senior member of the Care Group leadership team, ensure that the workforce implications of all strategies, plans, projects, and issues are considered.

Key areas of responsibility

The postholder will support the PDLT in the definition and delivery of service needs, Trust priorities and NHS People Plan, including:

Increasing the diversity and inclusivity of our workforce, ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the community we serve at all levels.

To ensure the workforce experience is positive from recruitment through their journey of employment implementing a just culture framework throughout their employment.

Ensure an efficient and timely service with a focus on customer service.

To provide a highly visible, competent, and coaching leadership style, which is consistent with the Trust values, building and maintaining effective working relationships with People Directorate colleagues managers, staff side, employees, and external organisations.

To use workforce intelligence, and key performance indicators both internal and external, to analyse workforce information, contributing to the monthly performance monitoring and review of people KPI, identify people management requirements within the care groups , working with colleagues to develop and implement strategies and plans to ensure the workforce supports the current and future performance targets, recommending people initiatives to meet business needs including recruitment and retention plans, improving absence management and reducing bank and agency and turnover.

To develop strong networks internally and externally to ensure that best people practice is applied within the organisation and that opportunities for development and innovation are maximised, supporting the Trust in reaching its vision of excellence in everything it does by leading and promoting equal opportunities, fairness, equity, and inclusion.

Develop and maintain an external awareness of local and national developments/ projects/ initiatives, disseminating for discussion and actions where appropriate.

Utilise the principles of organisational development and change management to implement the strategic workforce agenda, maximise performance of high functioning teams, support workforce planning and promote organisational efficiencies.

Thorough understanding and application of organisational development models, to provide advice and support around a range of issues including organisational culture, values, behaviours and relationships, respect and feeling valued, structures and systems, team working, engagement, capability, and skills.

Build networks and other opportunities to encourage the sharing of knowledge, experience and lessons learned across the People Directorate, Care Groups and the Trust as a whole.

Horizon scanning for workforce, or business changes that might lead to workforce changes in key functions and beyond the routine people function.

Champion staff engagement and the development of a learning culture as a key component of their role to align both the identification and delivery of service and corporate priorities.

Work with the employees and managers in the Care Group and the PDLT to examine staff survey results and support, develop and proactively implement initiatives to improve team results year on year.

To undertake research and analysis as required.

To act as a link between the Care Groups and other areas of the People Directorate, acting as an advocate for the people function at all times.

Working as part of a Team:

  • To deputise for members of the PDLT as required.
  • Attend internal and external meeting and events as required, representing the PDLT with delegated responsibility.
  • To contribute to the development of the People Directorate policies, strategies

and business plans that enable Trust corporate aims and objectives to be achieved including moving to innovative ways of working.

  • Work proactively with managers and with Staff Side representatives to develop and promote a culture of effective partnership working.

Financial Responsibility:

To contribute to the workforce plans and annual business plans by highlighting trends, areas of concern and challenges in the delivery of clinical services.

Critically examine working practices within the People Directorate and Care Group, to identify efficient cost-effective ways of working.

The post holder will ensure the proper use of the Trusts resources.

Managing Self:

  • As a member of the PDLT, contribute to the development of the priorities and share intelligence within PDLT regarding Care Group strategy.
  • As a member of the PDLT, the post holder will work collaboratively with other members and corporate colleagues, represent the Directorate and Trust with delegated authority in key internal and external meetings, being mindful of the strategic direction of the People Directorate.
  • The post holder will work autonomously and demonstrate a high professional standard and act in accordance with the CIPD code of professional conduct acting as a role model to People Directorate colleagues.
  • Manage sensitive information that might affect staff always maintaining confidentiality and a professional approach.
  • Actively promote and role model Trust values and leadership behaviours, creating a culture of teamwork, motivation and a positive can do attitude.
  • Actively participate in the development of the people directorate, working collaboratively and flexibly across functional areas, to ensure improved integration and sharing of information.

To be responsible for own CPD and take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence and remain up to date with employment legislation, case law and OD tools, cascading the learning throughout the organisation.

To participate in your personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trusts appraisal process.

Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff and respect the equality and diversity of each person you come into contact within the course of your business.

Develop credible and trusted partnering relationships with senior leaders across the Trust, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust.

Be flexible and may be required to work in other areas within the Trust at short notice to cover unplanned or planned absence of colleagues.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The People Business Partner is required to work in a business focused way in support of a designated care group for which they will be required fully understand the strategic vision and direction to effectively diagnose and engage appropriate strategic and operational workforce and development input and support, ensuring deployment of the Trust-wide workforce strategy to make the Trust a great place to work.

This role is an autonomous practitioner and will require the use of workforce and OD skills, working closely with management teams and employees to improve the employee experience within the service and Trust.

They will act as a conduit between the Care Groups and the People Directorate and will ensure specialist input from members of the People Directorate to facilitate delivery of the Care Groups business plans. They will provide insights based on workforce intelligence and reporting and ensure action is taken where appropriate.

Specifically, they will:

Ensure the people services is customer focused efficient, effective, adds value to the organisation and employees and is delivered to the highest professional standard.

Act as an advocate of change and transformation in support of business and people strategies and champion best practice people management, influencing key business decisions to ensure the effective management of staff through a fair, efficient and pragmatic application of best practice to ensure successful delivery of patient focused services.

Provide advice and guidance on very complex, sensitive, and contentious people issues to minimise risk and champion effective management of staff through fair, efficient and pragmatic just culture process that meet the people plan and people best practice by developing, recommending, and supporting the implementation of appropriate people intervention.

  • Using appropriate metrics, surveys, and employee engagement to identify problem areas and work with specialist People Directorate colleagues to develop appropriate interventions and solutions by facilitating improvement process concerning individuals, groups, and teams.

To take a lead role in the area, for monitoring, reporting, analysing, and improving people performance against agreed Trust people performance metrics (KPI) and, where relevant, external contract performance parameters.

As a member of the People Directorate Leadership Team (PDLT), contribute to the development of the People strategy and priorities and share intelligence regarding Care Group strategy. Undertake specific projects to support delivery of the people strategy, both within the Care group and across the Trust as required.

  • As a senior member of the Care Group leadership team, ensure that the workforce implications of all strategies, plans, projects, and issues are considered.

Key areas of responsibility

The postholder will support the PDLT in the definition and delivery of service needs, Trust priorities and NHS People Plan, including:

Increasing the diversity and inclusivity of our workforce, ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the community we serve at all levels.

To ensure the workforce experience is positive from recruitment through their journey of employment implementing a just culture framework throughout their employment.

Ensure an efficient and timely service with a focus on customer service.

To provide a highly visible, competent, and coaching leadership style, which is consistent with the Trust values, building and maintaining effective working relationships with People Directorate colleagues managers, staff side, employees, and external organisations.

To use workforce intelligence, and key performance indicators both internal and external, to analyse workforce information, contributing to the monthly performance monitoring and review of people KPI, identify people management requirements within the care groups , working with colleagues to develop and implement strategies and plans to ensure the workforce supports the current and future performance targets, recommending people initiatives to meet business needs including recruitment and retention plans, improving absence management and reducing bank and agency and turnover.

To develop strong networks internally and externally to ensure that best people practice is applied within the organisation and that opportunities for development and innovation are maximised, supporting the Trust in reaching its vision of excellence in everything it does by leading and promoting equal opportunities, fairness, equity, and inclusion.

Develop and maintain an external awareness of local and national developments/ projects/ initiatives, disseminating for discussion and actions where appropriate.

Utilise the principles of organisational development and change management to implement the strategic workforce agenda, maximise performance of high functioning teams, support workforce planning and promote organisational efficiencies.

Thorough understanding and application of organisational development models, to provide advice and support around a range of issues including organisational culture, values, behaviours and relationships, respect and feeling valued, structures and systems, team working, engagement, capability, and skills.

Build networks and other opportunities to encourage the sharing of knowledge, experience and lessons learned across the People Directorate, Care Groups and the Trust as a whole.

Horizon scanning for workforce, or business changes that might lead to workforce changes in key functions and beyond the routine people function.

Champion staff engagement and the development of a learning culture as a key component of their role to align both the identification and delivery of service and corporate priorities.

Work with the employees and managers in the Care Group and the PDLT to examine staff survey results and support, develop and proactively implement initiatives to improve team results year on year.

To undertake research and analysis as required.

To act as a link between the Care Groups and other areas of the People Directorate, acting as an advocate for the people function at all times.

Working as part of a Team:

  • To deputise for members of the PDLT as required.
  • Attend internal and external meeting and events as required, representing the PDLT with delegated responsibility.
  • To contribute to the development of the People Directorate policies, strategies

and business plans that enable Trust corporate aims and objectives to be achieved including moving to innovative ways of working.

  • Work proactively with managers and with Staff Side representatives to develop and promote a culture of effective partnership working.

Financial Responsibility:

To contribute to the workforce plans and annual business plans by highlighting trends, areas of concern and challenges in the delivery of clinical services.

Critically examine working practices within the People Directorate and Care Group, to identify efficient cost-effective ways of working.

The post holder will ensure the proper use of the Trusts resources.

Managing Self:

  • As a member of the PDLT, contribute to the development of the priorities and share intelligence within PDLT regarding Care Group strategy.
  • As a member of the PDLT, the post holder will work collaboratively with other members and corporate colleagues, represent the Directorate and Trust with delegated authority in key internal and external meetings, being mindful of the strategic direction of the People Directorate.
  • The post holder will work autonomously and demonstrate a high professional standard and act in accordance with the CIPD code of professional conduct acting as a role model to People Directorate colleagues.
  • Manage sensitive information that might affect staff always maintaining confidentiality and a professional approach.
  • Actively promote and role model Trust values and leadership behaviours, creating a culture of teamwork, motivation and a positive can do attitude.
  • Actively participate in the development of the people directorate, working collaboratively and flexibly across functional areas, to ensure improved integration and sharing of information.

To be responsible for own CPD and take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence and remain up to date with employment legislation, case law and OD tools, cascading the learning throughout the organisation.

To participate in your personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trusts appraisal process.

Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff and respect the equality and diversity of each person you come into contact within the course of your business.

Develop credible and trusted partnering relationships with senior leaders across the Trust, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust.

Be flexible and may be required to work in other areas within the Trust at short notice to cover unplanned or planned absence of colleagues.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level qualification, or evidence of equivalent level of knowledge achieved through practice-based experience.
  • Full CIPD (level 7) qualification or equivalent or relevant Post Graduate qualification in area of work.
  • Chartered member of the (CIPD) Chartered institute of Personnel and Development or evidence of equivalent level of knowledge achieved through practice-based experience.
  • Masters level in People Directorate field or relevant qualification or relevant experience demonstrating Master level experience.

Desirable

  • Fellow CIPD registration.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of successful project management.
  • Evidence of developing and presenting training and learning subjects to all levels of employees.
  • Demonstrable experience of working at a senior level handling highly complex, issues and projects in the people directorate.
  • Experience of working as part of a management team.
  • Experience of working in a complex organisation with a wide range of staff groups, stakeholders and in partnership with trade unions.
  • Experience of writing, presenting, and leading on the delivery of detailed information to support corporate objectives.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to prioritise work and meet tight and multiple deadlines/ competing demands.
  • Ability to exercise professional judgement work autonomously and self-motivated to complete own work and motivate others.
  • Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Performance management and results orientated, dynamic completer finisher.
  • Good standard of information technology to extract data, provide reports and presentations at a standard required for senior colleagues within and external to the trust.
  • Advocates the trust values and committed to equality and diversity and inclusion.
  • Strong customer focus.
  • Empathetic using tact and diplomacy.
  • Able to undertake any necessary travel in connection with the duties of the post.

Physical Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience at a senior role as an autonomous practitioner within a related people function.
  • Understanding of the national agenda affecting workforce in the NHS and wider H&SC community.
  • Strong ability to lead, influence and negotiate at senior levels utilising different styles, approaches and expertise when working with managers and staff and colleagues.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to present complex written and verbal information in a logical manner.
  • Ability to analyse workforce trends, identify key concerns and act in a solution focus manner.
  • Ability to solve highly complex problems and make independent decisions.
  • Demonstrates political awareness internal and externally to the trust.
  • Ability to build relationships and work at all levels of the organisation, influencing across a range of professional groups and levels within the organisation and with external stakeholders.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
  • Ability to use own initiative.

Training

Essential

  • Evidence of strong CPD undertaken.

Desirable

  • Qualification in organisational development.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Degree level qualification, or evidence of equivalent level of knowledge achieved through practice-based experience.
  • Full CIPD (level 7) qualification or equivalent or relevant Post Graduate qualification in area of work.
  • Chartered member of the (CIPD) Chartered institute of Personnel and Development or evidence of equivalent level of knowledge achieved through practice-based experience.
  • Masters level in People Directorate field or relevant qualification or relevant experience demonstrating Master level experience.

Desirable

  • Fellow CIPD registration.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of successful project management.
  • Evidence of developing and presenting training and learning subjects to all levels of employees.
  • Demonstrable experience of working at a senior level handling highly complex, issues and projects in the people directorate.
  • Experience of working as part of a management team.
  • Experience of working in a complex organisation with a wide range of staff groups, stakeholders and in partnership with trade unions.
  • Experience of writing, presenting, and leading on the delivery of detailed information to support corporate objectives.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to prioritise work and meet tight and multiple deadlines/ competing demands.
  • Ability to exercise professional judgement work autonomously and self-motivated to complete own work and motivate others.
  • Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders.
  • Performance management and results orientated, dynamic completer finisher.
  • Good standard of information technology to extract data, provide reports and presentations at a standard required for senior colleagues within and external to the trust.
  • Advocates the trust values and committed to equality and diversity and inclusion.
  • Strong customer focus.
  • Empathetic using tact and diplomacy.
  • Able to undertake any necessary travel in connection with the duties of the post.

Physical Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience at a senior role as an autonomous practitioner within a related people function.
  • Understanding of the national agenda affecting workforce in the NHS and wider H&SC community.
  • Strong ability to lead, influence and negotiate at senior levels utilising different styles, approaches and expertise when working with managers and staff and colleagues.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to present complex written and verbal information in a logical manner.
  • Ability to analyse workforce trends, identify key concerns and act in a solution focus manner.
  • Ability to solve highly complex problems and make independent decisions.
  • Demonstrates political awareness internal and externally to the trust.
  • Ability to build relationships and work at all levels of the organisation, influencing across a range of professional groups and levels within the organisation and with external stakeholders.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
  • Ability to use own initiative.

Training

Essential

  • Evidence of strong CPD undertaken.

Desirable

  • Qualification in organisational development.

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF13SP


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF13SP


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ellie Valentine

ellie.valentine@swyt.nhs.uk

07345436479

Details

Date posted

11 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9378-QA01419

Job locations

Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF13SP


Supporting documents

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