Job summary
We're looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Workforce Business Partner (WBP) to join our Workforce team and help deliver meaningful change across our organisation.
Working closely with operational leaders and reporting to the Senior Workforce Manager, this is a high-impact role designed to lead on all things people-related - from proactive absence management to embedding a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
As a Workforce Business Partner, you will look after our Estates, and Business Support Operational Groups
Main duties of the job
You will:
- Partner with your operational leaders to deliver our People Strategy and drive workforce performance.
- Lead on reducing sickness absence through data-driven interventions and early support.
- Collaborate with Occupational Health, Wellbeing, and Union representatives to ensure fair, consistent and preventative practices.
- Provide expert advice across the full employee lifecycle - including Employee Relations, performance, organisational change and workforce development.
- Champion a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety.
- Design and deliver impactful training, particularly around absence management and leadership capability.
- Utilise workforce data to provide insights that shape strategic decisions and improve staff experience.
We're looking for someone who is:
- CIPD Level 5 qualified (Level 7 desirable).
- Experienced in delivering Workforce support in a complex, fast-paced environment - including employee relations, organisational change, and workforce planning.
- Comfortable being a visible presence on-site - engaging with staff and managers directly to build relationships.
- A confident communicator with strong influencing skills - able to build trust at all levels, including senior leadership.
- Skilled in data analysis and using workforce metrics to drive improvements.
- Experienced in a unionised environment, with strong negotiation skills.
About us
NTW Solutions Limited is proud to provide services to the NHS. We keep hospitals clean and patients fed and we keep buildings running and grounds tidy. Our pharmacy team ensures patients get the medicine they need, and our workforce team recruits people onto the frontline. We transcribe thousands of important medical letters, provide a lease car service to keep people on the move, and ensure suppliers are paid on time.
We are dedicated to being a great inclusive place to work. We provide a wide range of benefits including a good rate of pay and pension and an extensive range of discounts. We care about health and wellbeing and offer a range of support for the people who work here.
We believe everyone has potential and welcome applications from ethnic minorities, those who are LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, anyone who is unemployed or has been out of work for a period of time, or those who have served in our armed forces.
We were set up by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust to provide support services. As a limited company we have built a commercial ethos onto our NHS values and now provide our services to other NHS organisations and beyond.
We make a difference to people's lives and working here is fulfilling and rewarding. Our social purpose is also driving our plans to become net zero and to tackle discrimination and champion equality. Working here means joining a friendly bunch of people dedicated to supporting better care
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached our job description for full details.
Please note that all jobs will be appointed on the NTW Solutions Limited terms and conditions (not NHS/A4C terms).
If you currently work for NTW Solutions on AfC terms and and conditions, you will be given the choice to retain these or move onto NTW Solutions terms and conditions. Please note that the above advertised salary will not apply if you choose to remain on AfC.
Anyone currently paying into the NHS Pension scheme will be able to retain this
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached our job description for full details.
Please note that all jobs will be appointed on the NTW Solutions Limited terms and conditions (not NHS/A4C terms).
If you currently work for NTW Solutions on AfC terms and and conditions, you will be given the choice to retain these or move onto NTW Solutions terms and conditions. Please note that the above advertised salary will not apply if you choose to remain on AfC.
Anyone currently paying into the NHS Pension scheme will be able to retain this
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- CIPD qualification Level 5 and above or equivalent
Desirable
- CIPD qualification Level 7
Experience
Essential
- Extensive HR experience: Proven track record of managing complex employee relations cases, organisational change, and workforce planning. Must be confident in applying employment law and HR best practices in a fast-paced, operational environment.
- Line management or mentoring experience: Ability to lead, coach, and develop HR professionals, ensuring high performance and continuous professional growth within the team.
- Experience in a unionised environment: Skilled in building constructive relationships with trade union representatives and managing consultations and negotiations effectively.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Data-driven decision-making: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret HR metrics (e.g., absence, turnover, engagement) and translate insights into actionable strategies that improve workforce outcomes.
- Training and facilitation skills: Experience in designing and delivering engaging training sessions and workshops for managers and staff, with a focus on practical application and measurable outcomes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and report-writing skills
- Problem-solving and coaching ability: Demonstrated capability to support managers through complex situations, offering practical solutions and coaching to build capability and confidence.
- Comprehensive knowledge of employment law and HR best practices: Up-to-date understanding of UK employment legislation and its practical application in a business context.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing: Passionate about creating a fair and inclusive workplace. Experience in leading or supporting EDI initiatives and promoting a culture of wellbeing and psychological safety.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- CIPD qualification Level 5 and above or equivalent
Desirable
- CIPD qualification Level 7
Experience
Essential
- Extensive HR experience: Proven track record of managing complex employee relations cases, organisational change, and workforce planning. Must be confident in applying employment law and HR best practices in a fast-paced, operational environment.
- Line management or mentoring experience: Ability to lead, coach, and develop HR professionals, ensuring high performance and continuous professional growth within the team.
- Experience in a unionised environment: Skilled in building constructive relationships with trade union representatives and managing consultations and negotiations effectively.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Data-driven decision-making: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret HR metrics (e.g., absence, turnover, engagement) and translate insights into actionable strategies that improve workforce outcomes.
- Training and facilitation skills: Experience in designing and delivering engaging training sessions and workshops for managers and staff, with a focus on practical application and measurable outcomes.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and report-writing skills
- Problem-solving and coaching ability: Demonstrated capability to support managers through complex situations, offering practical solutions and coaching to build capability and confidence.
- Comprehensive knowledge of employment law and HR best practices: Up-to-date understanding of UK employment legislation and its practical application in a business context.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing: Passionate about creating a fair and inclusive workplace. Experience in leading or supporting EDI initiatives and promoting a culture of wellbeing and psychological safety.
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).
