Job summary
Our mission is to be world class in innovative healthcare services, ground-breaking clinical research, and future-focused teaching, ultimately combining world-leading expertise with local care. We are now looking for a talented Group Director of People who will share our ambition, and work inclusively across the group, providing strategic and operational leadership on all People matters.
Reporting to the Group Chief People Officer, the Group Director of People will be a pivotal appointment to the People Directorate senior leadership team. Working in conjunction with the Health Unit Directors of People, group Director of Education, Group Director of OD, Leadership and Talent will work together strengthen our culture, from ward to the Board, ensuring our values are embedded across the organisation and motivating our staff to deliver the Trust's vision to provide world class care.
Main duties of the job
The Group Director of People Services will provide strategic and operational leadership across all group people functions within the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Reporting to the Group Chief People Officer, the postholder will ensure high-quality, forward-looking people services that align with the Trust's strategic objectives, values, and commitment to being an outstanding place to work.
About us
A historic teaching hospital which has served communities in North London and its surrounds since its foundation in 1828, the Royal Free London combines world class medical expertise with local and friendly care, as it strives to tackle health inequalities in this vibrant part of the capital.
Operating across four hospital sites, the Royal Free it is one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country, treating approximately 2m patients every year. With a strong reputation for innovation, high performance and partnership-building: not only does the Trust closely collaborates across the local provider landscape as well as performing a significant role within UCL Partners, the UCL Health Alliance, and in the North Central London ICS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Group People functions, ensuring delivery of high-quality, customer-focused services aligned to the Royal Free London Group People Strategy and NHS People Plan.
Act as Deputy to the Group Chief People Officer, representing the People Directorate at Board and Group Executive meetings and deputising as required.
Lead the design, delivery, and performance of the following Centres of Expertise:
People Operations and Group People Services (including Workforce Information, Policy, People Hub and FTSU)
o Employee Resolutions and Advisory Service (ERAS)o Inclusion, Wellbeing and Recognitiono Resourcing, Retention and Programmeso People Planning, Operations and Partnerships
Full duties of the role are outlined in the Job description and Person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Group People functions, ensuring delivery of high-quality, customer-focused services aligned to the Royal Free London Group People Strategy and NHS People Plan.
Act as Deputy to the Group Chief People Officer, representing the People Directorate at Board and Group Executive meetings and deputising as required.
Lead the design, delivery, and performance of the following Centres of Expertise:
People Operations and Group People Services (including Workforce Information, Policy, People Hub and FTSU)
o Employee Resolutions and Advisory Service (ERAS)o Inclusion, Wellbeing and Recognitiono Resourcing, Retention and Programmeso People Planning, Operations and Partnerships
Full duties of the role are outlined in the Job description and Person specification.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Level Education or equivalent experience
- Chartered Member of the CIPD.
- Post-graduate Diploma or MSC in HR or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Project Management qualification.
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
- Experience of leading, coaching and building capability in all aspects of the HR function.
- Significant experience in Senior HR / People positions, preferably in a similar sector.
- Experience of managing budgets and delivering savings.
- Experience of managing cross -functional and group level projects and integration of services at a senior level.
- Proven experience of working at Senior/Executive level required and providing expert advice to Board level committees.
- Experience of successful management of complex employee relation cases.
- Experience of leading/setting organisational policy based on interpretation of national guidance or legislation.
- Significant experience of developing, executing and tracking the success of HR functions and projects.
- In-depth knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and procedures.
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of managing contentious people issues effectively together with a high level of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Extensive experience working in a complex unionised environment.
- NHS experience.
- Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks such as NHSLA, CQC
- Knowledge of medical staffing terms and conditions
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree Level Education or equivalent experience
- Chartered Member of the CIPD.
- Post-graduate Diploma or MSC in HR or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Project Management qualification.
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
- Experience of leading, coaching and building capability in all aspects of the HR function.
- Significant experience in Senior HR / People positions, preferably in a similar sector.
- Experience of managing budgets and delivering savings.
- Experience of managing cross -functional and group level projects and integration of services at a senior level.
- Proven experience of working at Senior/Executive level required and providing expert advice to Board level committees.
- Experience of successful management of complex employee relation cases.
- Experience of leading/setting organisational policy based on interpretation of national guidance or legislation.
- Significant experience of developing, executing and tracking the success of HR functions and projects.
- In-depth knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and procedures.
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of managing contentious people issues effectively together with a high level of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Extensive experience working in a complex unionised environment.
- NHS experience.
- Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks such as NHSLA, CQC
- Knowledge of medical staffing terms and conditions
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
