North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust

Interim Deputy Chief People Officer

The closing date is 22 June 2025

Job summary

Please note that this vacancy is only available to those currently employed by North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust or within the Staffordshire and Stoke System.

We are looking to recruit an interim Deputy Chief People Officer,who is highly experienced and effective in delivering impactful people management at a senior level.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer (CPO), you will support them at a strategic and operational level to take forward the Trust's People Plan. As a senior, high profile and influential role model, you will play an integral part in the facilitation and delivery of outstanding standards of healthcare services via the provision of an effective, efficient and inclusive People function.

A values driven and compassionate leader, you will lead and support members of the People, OD, Education and Communications Team to deliver first class and seamless support to Directorate management teams. Supporting the delivery of workforce agendas, continuing to improve staff experience and promoting a positive just and restorative learning culture, which truly embraces diversity.

Main duties of the job

In the role of interim Deputy Chief People Officer, you will be responsible for providing a comprehensive People service across the Trust and to deputise for the CPO as required.

The post holder will support the CPO and Directorate senior team in the delivery of People objectives and represent the service at meetings internally and externally. This will include proactively leading and advising on the full range of People services, providing expert advice and guidance on highly complex issues.

You will be managing the performance and direction of the People Team, with managerial responsibility for our brilliant:

- People Operations Team

- Medical Staffing Team

- People Business Partnering Team

- Recruitment Team

- Staff Side Chair

About us

At North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, we are extremely proud to be one of only two specialist Mental Health Trusts in England which has an overall CQC Outstanding rating.

We are a Trust that prides itself on having achieved a financial surplus for the past 25 years making us one of the top financial performers in the region. We remain bold and ambitious with further plans for both service and system collaborative transformation over the coming years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local people through high quality care delivered in a sustainable way.

The Trust is committed to ensuring that a diverse workforce is representative and inclusive at all levels. We would very much welcome applications from all under-represented groups including women, people with disabilities, people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and those from the lesbian, gay, bi and trans communities.

Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

232-COR-7258979

Job locations

Home Based

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 8HH

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support the Chief People Officer in the provision and management of a comprehensive People, Organisation Development and Inclusion function to the Trust.

To deputise for the Chief People Officer as required at a national, regional, system and internal level regarding People, OD, Communications and D&I matters.

To lead on the development and implementation of the Trusts People plan (including the development and delivery of workforce plans, people policies, recruitment, People/HR systems, initiatives based upon national guidance, best practice and appropriate legislation).

To lead and manage the People function.

To work across the system on People projects supporting a Staffordshire approach to policy development.

Developing People Policies for the Trust and working jointly with other providers to create a consistent approach.

To provide People/HR input to all the organisations policies and strategies.

Key Duties/Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction and support to the People team and to Trust managers regarding Workforce related matters.

To lead the review and development of People strategy, policies, procedures and practices.

To lead and promote optimum standards of professionalism within the directorate by the effective recruitment, development and motivation of directorate staff to achieve the directorates/Trusts objectives.

To be proactive in providing credible expert advice to senior management in terms of strategy for implementation of organisational change and in managing effectively the employee relations consequences which may arise.

To interpret new employment legislation, national guidelines and best practice initiatives, assess the impact on the organisation and lead on developing and implementing adaptations to organisational policies and practices to meet organisational requirements.

Interpret highly complex employment law and case law to provide authoritative advice on human resource/employment relations issues.

Ensure all staff have access to the Trust employment policies and procedures.

To lead and participate in the implementation of change management projects, which are cross-Trust issues and are in support of the delivery of Trust objectives; for example, Agenda for Change/Terms and Conditions, ESR and Occupational Health delivery.

To ensure the provision of comprehensive recruitment, advice & guidance, including strategic support to the Executive Team and Senior Managers in areas such as workforce planning.

Act as contract lead in managing the Payroll SLA.

To be the Trusts expert on all employee relations and to promote and maintain positive relationships with staff side colleagues.

Membership and participation at agreed committees (internally, system wide, regionally and nationally).

Provide leadership and support within Workforce and trust wide to ensure delivery of high standards of service and ensure professional working relationships at all levels

Chair meetings including as examples; Joint Negotiation Consulting Committee (JNCC), Partnership Working Group (PWG) and other Ad hoc meetings as required.

To lead and review the Trusts Workforce performance through audits and other performance management tools (KPIs), recommending and instigating improvements where appropriate.

Lead on reporting of People/HR and Workforce metrics, including development of new metrics and measures as required.

Work with the Chief People Officer to ensure the ongoing development of the workforce capability in the Trust through the development of human resource staff and the development of human resource expertise in managers at all levels.

To identify areas where the service can be improved and to source / develop initiatives that drive the service forward.

Ensuring that People/Human Resource policies and procedures are fully understood and are implemented consistently across the Trust.

To ensure that managers are provided with an effective recruitment and selection service, including timely advice as appropriate on current legislation relating to Diversity and Inclusion.

Demonstrate continuous professional development.

Support Workforce in developing skills in relation to role and department goals.

Attend training courses as required related to the role and feedback this information as required.

Further details on responsibilities are on the attached job description and person specification.