Job summary
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the Lead Employer for circa 13,000 Doctors and Dentists in training across on a national basis across seven UK regions. We are the largest Lead Employer in the NHS and have more than 13 years of experience in delivering a high quality, highly regarded service. The Lead Employer team is ambitious, pro-active, and passionate about improving the working lives of doctors and dentists in training. We work in collaboration with our NHS Education and Hosts to ensure trainees are fully supported at every step of their career.
Please note, this recruitment process will include an assessment centre.Assessment Centre date will be Monday 25th March 2024.
Main duties of the job
As the Assistant Director of HR for Lead Employer, you will ensure the delivery of a customer focussed Lead Employer Service, delivering a strategic, operational business and value-added service. The role will also include leadership of performance management and KPI's against contractual requirements to ensure the delivery of leading edge, value-added service to stakeholders. You will support the Deputy Director of HR & Governance in the development and delivery MWL's Lead Employer Service strategy utilising a wide range of innovative techniques to develop capabilities and optimise opportunities for efficiencies for the benefit of service users.
You will be a highly motivated, dynamic and results oriented person who is passionate about excellent service delivery. You will have experience of providing a professional HR services in a commercial, or customer focused environment and have first-hand experience of working with external stakeholders to enable the delivery of an outstanding service. MCIPD registered, you will have a Master's degree in HR Management or related subject / equivalent experience and a track record of managing innovation and service improvement.
Assessment Centre: Monday 25th March
About us
The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
- CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
- SAFETY that is of the highest standards
- COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
- SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
- PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients
Our achievements include:
- Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Service Delivery
- Lead on the development and delivery of MWL Lead Employer Strategy and operational business plan and development to deliver an effective service to stakeholders.
- Ensure the Lead Employer Service has long term strategic plans aligned to national strategies particularly around Doctors in Training & Improving Working Lives agenda as described within the NHS People plan.
- Responsible for the delivery of the Lead Employer Service to stakeholders, providing a leadership style which develops and empowers the Lead Employer team to be involved in the development of services.
- Promote an environment of customer focused service delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation, demonstrating and promoting behavior in accordance with MWL values.
- Provide strategic specialist advice and guidance to stakeholders regarding doctors and dentists in training and public health trainees legislation and best practice.
- Provide strategic long-term planning and short term tactical and implementation support for Lead Employer Service development.
- Ensure that the Lead Employer team apply legislatively compliant, consistent, and best practice
- Proactively influence stakeholders to adopt best practice approaches and apply effective Lead Employer
- Accountable for the delivery of effective stakeholder engagement, working in partnership with the Trusts Assistant Director of Communications where applicable.
- Develop a strategic service to identify and analyse key trends enabling a proactive service to be provided adding real value to the wider NHS economy.
- Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to develop a system wide approach to the Trusts Commercial Services functions which provides opportunities for at scale working and information / intelligence sharing.
- Demonstrate continuous improvement of the Lead Employer Serviced to measure that services remain responsive, relevant and cost effective.
- Provide strategic and professional leadership and complex advice to stakeholders to identify proactive solutions to service issues and highlight any risks arising from decisions related to doctors and dentists in training and public health trainees.
- Provide professional leadership and strategic support to the Lead Employer team managing complex issues, ensuring a quality led, evidence-based approach and identifying opportunities for shared learning.
- To provide senior leadership and participation on specific
- Provide and encourage innovative solutions for stakeholders on all Lead Employer related issues, presenting options for consideration.
- To work alongside external agencies to ensure that the organisation and stakeholders are developing new ideas that are consistent with the national agenda.
- Provide evidence demonstrating the performance and quality of the
- Development of Lead Employer Service policies in conjunction with trade union and staff side representatives to ensure a fair and equitable approach to policy development.
- Promote a positive employee relations climate through effective partnership working with staff side
- Develop business cases for funding required to support the delivery of the Lead Employer Service strategy and seek opportunities for external funding streams as applicable e.g., NHS England or other external funding agencies or authorities.
- Monitor, manage and measure the impact of service development activities providing benefits realisation reports to demonstrate return on investment.
- Optimise the use of E-Systems to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, stakeholder, and staff
- Lead on the administration of the Lead Employer DAS account, and development of an apprenticeship strategy in collaboration with HEE and host organisations that optimises levy spend.
- Work in collaboration with the regional Deans to commission education and training to support the delivery of the NHS England/ Lead Employer workforce strategy.
- Deputise for the Deputy Director of HR & Governance on Trust HR Directorate/Corporate issues as
- Represent the Trust on the Lead Employer Service matters at internal and external
Service and Business Development
- Ensure the provision of a high quality and efficient Lead Employer Service offer and value proposition to current and potential future stakeholders.
- Development and implementation of a business and marketing strategy for the Lead Employer Service
- Continually refine and improve internal processes to optimise team efficiency and
- Identify and manage business development opportunities, building an in-depth understanding of the market opportunities.
- Lead on the development, agreement and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators and
- Ensure that effective management of SLAs/ contracts related to the delivery of the Lead Employer
- Liaise and network with a range of stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a current, cost effective and value-added service.
- Ensure high quality reports are presented on all aspects of Lead Employer Service in a timely and accurate manner.
- Support stakeholders to ensure they are legally compliant with employment legislation and are aware of the potential risks and impact of decisions.
- Manage the functions across the Lead Employer Service as outlined above albeit where not directly line managing to be overall accountable for the Lead Employer Service and any third-party related suppliers to ensure seamless service delivery to customers.
- In partnership with Procurement, Finance and HR colleagues lead on the completion of tenders and contract documentation submissions for the Lead Employer Service.
Governance and Compliance
- Responsible for the design, implementation, and delivery of the Governance Framework for the Lead Employer Service.
- Attend Governance meetings to ensure compliance across the Lead Employer Service with governance requirements and best practice.
- Manage staff, systems, processes, and controls to ensure accountability, probity and compliance with external legislation and internal governance.
- Ensure the relevant risk action plans are developed, implemented, and delivered for Lead Employer.
- Ensure paper based and electronic record and filing systems are maintained in accordance with the Trust Information Governance, GDPR and Record Management policies.
- Monitor the Lead Employer Service compliance with GDPR, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion opportunities.
- Ensure that appropriate privacy assessment and robust governance arrangements are in place to
- ensure compliance with e.g., GDPR with regards to any communication/engagement with employees and
- Work with Trust Information Governance and IT specialists to ensure the security of personal data held in internal and external hosted systems using robust monitoring processes.
- Ensure data protection and confidentiality is
- Deputise for the Deputy Director of HR & Governance as required and Chair the Lead Employer Services Local Negotiating Committees at both regional and strategy LNCs.
Leadership, People Management and Development
- Manage team members ensuring that they have objectives, personal development plans and an annual appraisal including continuous professional development and career development.
- Ensure that all staff in the Lead Employer Service team are managed in accordance with the organisations HR strategy, modelling excellent and innovative people management.
- Ensure a talent management strategy, coaching and mentoring programs are in place for the Lead Employer team and delivery is supported.
Recruitment & Selection
- Ensure the provision of a timely, comprehensive and professional recruitment of any staff recruitment for the service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Service Delivery
- Lead on the development and delivery of MWL Lead Employer Strategy and operational business plan and development to deliver an effective service to stakeholders.
- Ensure the Lead Employer Service has long term strategic plans aligned to national strategies particularly around Doctors in Training & Improving Working Lives agenda as described within the NHS People plan.
- Responsible for the delivery of the Lead Employer Service to stakeholders, providing a leadership style which develops and empowers the Lead Employer team to be involved in the development of services.
- Promote an environment of customer focused service delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation, demonstrating and promoting behavior in accordance with MWL values.
- Provide strategic specialist advice and guidance to stakeholders regarding doctors and dentists in training and public health trainees legislation and best practice.
- Provide strategic long-term planning and short term tactical and implementation support for Lead Employer Service development.
- Ensure that the Lead Employer team apply legislatively compliant, consistent, and best practice
- Proactively influence stakeholders to adopt best practice approaches and apply effective Lead Employer
- Accountable for the delivery of effective stakeholder engagement, working in partnership with the Trusts Assistant Director of Communications where applicable.
- Develop a strategic service to identify and analyse key trends enabling a proactive service to be provided adding real value to the wider NHS economy.
- Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to develop a system wide approach to the Trusts Commercial Services functions which provides opportunities for at scale working and information / intelligence sharing.
- Demonstrate continuous improvement of the Lead Employer Serviced to measure that services remain responsive, relevant and cost effective.
- Provide strategic and professional leadership and complex advice to stakeholders to identify proactive solutions to service issues and highlight any risks arising from decisions related to doctors and dentists in training and public health trainees.
- Provide professional leadership and strategic support to the Lead Employer team managing complex issues, ensuring a quality led, evidence-based approach and identifying opportunities for shared learning.
- To provide senior leadership and participation on specific
- Provide and encourage innovative solutions for stakeholders on all Lead Employer related issues, presenting options for consideration.
- To work alongside external agencies to ensure that the organisation and stakeholders are developing new ideas that are consistent with the national agenda.
- Provide evidence demonstrating the performance and quality of the
- Development of Lead Employer Service policies in conjunction with trade union and staff side representatives to ensure a fair and equitable approach to policy development.
- Promote a positive employee relations climate through effective partnership working with staff side
- Develop business cases for funding required to support the delivery of the Lead Employer Service strategy and seek opportunities for external funding streams as applicable e.g., NHS England or other external funding agencies or authorities.
- Monitor, manage and measure the impact of service development activities providing benefits realisation reports to demonstrate return on investment.
- Optimise the use of E-Systems to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness, stakeholder, and staff
- Lead on the administration of the Lead Employer DAS account, and development of an apprenticeship strategy in collaboration with HEE and host organisations that optimises levy spend.
- Work in collaboration with the regional Deans to commission education and training to support the delivery of the NHS England/ Lead Employer workforce strategy.
- Deputise for the Deputy Director of HR & Governance on Trust HR Directorate/Corporate issues as
- Represent the Trust on the Lead Employer Service matters at internal and external
Service and Business Development
- Ensure the provision of a high quality and efficient Lead Employer Service offer and value proposition to current and potential future stakeholders.
- Development and implementation of a business and marketing strategy for the Lead Employer Service
- Continually refine and improve internal processes to optimise team efficiency and
- Identify and manage business development opportunities, building an in-depth understanding of the market opportunities.
- Lead on the development, agreement and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators and
- Ensure that effective management of SLAs/ contracts related to the delivery of the Lead Employer
- Liaise and network with a range of stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a current, cost effective and value-added service.
- Ensure high quality reports are presented on all aspects of Lead Employer Service in a timely and accurate manner.
- Support stakeholders to ensure they are legally compliant with employment legislation and are aware of the potential risks and impact of decisions.
- Manage the functions across the Lead Employer Service as outlined above albeit where not directly line managing to be overall accountable for the Lead Employer Service and any third-party related suppliers to ensure seamless service delivery to customers.
- In partnership with Procurement, Finance and HR colleagues lead on the completion of tenders and contract documentation submissions for the Lead Employer Service.
Governance and Compliance
- Responsible for the design, implementation, and delivery of the Governance Framework for the Lead Employer Service.
- Attend Governance meetings to ensure compliance across the Lead Employer Service with governance requirements and best practice.
- Manage staff, systems, processes, and controls to ensure accountability, probity and compliance with external legislation and internal governance.
- Ensure the relevant risk action plans are developed, implemented, and delivered for Lead Employer.
- Ensure paper based and electronic record and filing systems are maintained in accordance with the Trust Information Governance, GDPR and Record Management policies.
- Monitor the Lead Employer Service compliance with GDPR, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion opportunities.
- Ensure that appropriate privacy assessment and robust governance arrangements are in place to
- ensure compliance with e.g., GDPR with regards to any communication/engagement with employees and
- Work with Trust Information Governance and IT specialists to ensure the security of personal data held in internal and external hosted systems using robust monitoring processes.
- Ensure data protection and confidentiality is
- Deputise for the Deputy Director of HR & Governance as required and Chair the Lead Employer Services Local Negotiating Committees at both regional and strategy LNCs.
Leadership, People Management and Development
- Manage team members ensuring that they have objectives, personal development plans and an annual appraisal including continuous professional development and career development.
- Ensure that all staff in the Lead Employer Service team are managed in accordance with the organisations HR strategy, modelling excellent and innovative people management.
- Ensure a talent management strategy, coaching and mentoring programs are in place for the Lead Employer team and delivery is supported.
Recruitment & Selection
- Ensure the provision of a timely, comprehensive and professional recruitment of any staff recruitment for the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent qualification
- MCIPD professional registration
- Master's degree in HR Management or related qualification and/or equivalent experience
- Postgraduate qualification in specialist area e.g., Leadership/ Commercial Management or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant senior management experience
- Evidence of managing complex human and financial resource issues
- Experience of providing a professional HR Shared Service in a commercial or customer focused environment
- A track record of managing innovation and leading service improvement
- Experience of contract management and delivery
- Experience of working with and influencing senior managers and customers
- Experience of writing business plans, policies, business cases and board papers
- Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS agenda
- Demonstrable knowledge of governance requirements
- Knowledge of contract management
- Knowledge of leadership development and its impact on transformational change
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of effective change management resulting in improved outcomes
- Knowledge and understanding of the national strategic context for Doctors and Dentists in training
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of Medical and Dental terms and conditions of service and the Gold Guide
Skills
Essential
- Ability to act with complete independence and express highest levels of initiative
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team effectively; and to motivate staff through delegation, review, and support
- Able to analyse both strategic and operational issues, provide positive and innovative solutions progressing these through
- Highly articulate and well-developed communication skills and interpersonal skills; advanced presentation and written skills. Excellent social skills with proficiency in managing relationships and building networks
- Highly articulate and well-developed communication skills and interpersonal skills; advanced presentation and written skills. Excellent social skills with proficiency in managing relationships and building networks
- Effective budget management skills
- IT literate and advanced working knowledge and computer proficiency of all Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate impact and proactive customer relationship building, with the ability to respect, influence and motivate a range of stakeholders to deliver continuous. improvement in services
- Highly developed problem solving, analytical and interpretive skills
- Strategic and business planning approach to delivery and development of services
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent qualification
- MCIPD professional registration
- Master's degree in HR Management or related qualification and/or equivalent experience
- Postgraduate qualification in specialist area e.g., Leadership/ Commercial Management or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant senior management experience
- Evidence of managing complex human and financial resource issues
- Experience of providing a professional HR Shared Service in a commercial or customer focused environment
- A track record of managing innovation and leading service improvement
- Experience of contract management and delivery
- Experience of working with and influencing senior managers and customers
- Experience of writing business plans, policies, business cases and board papers
- Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS agenda
- Demonstrable knowledge of governance requirements
- Knowledge of contract management
- Knowledge of leadership development and its impact on transformational change
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of effective change management resulting in improved outcomes
- Knowledge and understanding of the national strategic context for Doctors and Dentists in training
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of Medical and Dental terms and conditions of service and the Gold Guide
Skills
Essential
- Ability to act with complete independence and express highest levels of initiative
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team effectively; and to motivate staff through delegation, review, and support
- Able to analyse both strategic and operational issues, provide positive and innovative solutions progressing these through
- Highly articulate and well-developed communication skills and interpersonal skills; advanced presentation and written skills. Excellent social skills with proficiency in managing relationships and building networks
- Highly articulate and well-developed communication skills and interpersonal skills; advanced presentation and written skills. Excellent social skills with proficiency in managing relationships and building networks
- Effective budget management skills
- IT literate and advanced working knowledge and computer proficiency of all Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate impact and proactive customer relationship building, with the ability to respect, influence and motivate a range of stakeholders to deliver continuous. improvement in services
- Highly developed problem solving, analytical and interpretive skills
- Strategic and business planning approach to delivery and development of services
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).
