Senior HR Business Partner

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The HR operations team are expanding, and an exciting new role has been created to support MWL as an integral member of the Corporate Services Division.

You will provide a strategic focus for the day-to-day delivery of HR operations within the Division, supporting the Head of HR Operations to ensure the HR team meet the needs of the service, creating and adding value, influencing, and driving business objectives and delivering against the Trust strategic priorities.

In addition to supporting the Division, you will also have a Trust wide responsibility in supporting the strategic aim of reducing sickness absence in our workforce.

If you think you can contribute to our team and share the Trust 5 Star values, enjoying the challenges that working in a busy department brings, we would love to hear from you

Main duties of the job

The successful post holder will support the Head of HR Operations in the delivery of management/workforce information to meet Trust's obligations and priorities, ensuring the provision of a pro-active, innovative, effective and high-quality HR service which is responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

They will provide strategic leadership, working in partnership with stakeholders and the Trust's senior management team to identify and implement workforce plans and strategies enabling the successful delivery of the service objectives and achievement of business targets. In addition, the post-holder will anticipate the impact of external changes on the workforce and develop effective solutions and strategies to support the changing environment.

They will manage and provide professional advice and guidance on highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious employee relations issues and enquiries received within the department, providing timely expert advice to minimise risk and financial exposure. They will be required to implement effective HR systems to record and monitor all case activity and monitor compliance in relation to data protection, E&D and other HR related legislation including legal costs.

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.

Date posted

22 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£50,952 to £57,349 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

409-S6513594-A

Job locations

Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

Operational Service Delivery

Ensure the provision of a pro-active, innovative, effective and high-quality HR service which is responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

Provision of strategic leadership

Manage and provide professional advice and guidance on highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious employee relations issues and enquiries received within the department, providing timely expert advice in order to minimise risk and financial exposure.

Implement effective HR systems to record and monitor all case activity and monitor compliance in relation to data protection, E&D and other HR related legislation including legal costs.

Work in partnership with stakeholders and the Trusts senior management team to identify and implement workforce plans and strategies enabling the successful delivery of the service objectives and achievement of business targets.

Anticipate the impact of external changes on the workforce and develop effective solutions and strategies to support the changing environment.

Support the Head of HR Operations in the delivery of management/workforce information to meet Trusts obligations and priorities.

Work as a member of the HR Operations Senior Management Team to ensure the achievement of the service business plan, objectives and KPIs.

Represent the service at various meetings as required.

Support the Head of HR Operations to maintain and develop professional HR services, systems, records, and quality/control procedures.

Implement and maintain effective recording and monitoring systems for attendance management activity.

Monitor and manage delivery against targets producing regular management and update reports detailing service performance levels.

Proactively seek customer service feedback from stakeholders and make recommendations to the HR Senior Management team.

Develop and implement new policies and SOPS relating to HR as appropriate and ensure that they are embedded within the department which reflect national and local policy and current legislative requirements.

Employee Relations and Stakeholder Management

Maintain effective industrial relations with staff side to ensure the efficient and effective management of cases.

Establish strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure that services are delivered effectively and improvements are made where possible.

Support and promote the health and wellbeing agenda, influencing stakeholders to promote opportunities for improved attendance management.

Work with external organisations i.e. NHS employers enabling the effective management of complex and contentious workforce matters to inform strategy and service development.

Develop effective relationships with stakeholders enabling the continuous improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of the HR Service.

Develop and sustain effective relationships within the Trust and ensure the service is viewed positively by adding value to the HR Service.

Develop and maintain relationships within the wider HR community to enable networking and sharing of best practice.

Develop and maintain effective internal and external communication networks to support the delivery of the HR Service.

Facilitate the process of involvement, consultations, negotiations with staff and their representatives working closely with the staff side representatives.

Actively promote positive behaviours, the Trusts values and culture across the division.

Champion the Equality and Diversity agenda and proactively support stakeholders to ensure the principles are embedded within their organisations where trainees are on placement.

Advise stakeholders to create an environment of health and well-being. Undertake specific projects where trends or issues arise to ensure that all staff feel valued and respected in the workplace.

Attend stakeholder meetings as required.

Foster a positive climate of employee relations within the service, to sustain an effective partnership approach and develop and maintain good working relationships with representatives of Trade Unions and staff organisations.

Oversee the monitoring of employee relations activity including case type, complexity, and volume of ER cases in the division to diagnose organisational health and other issues for the service which need to be addressed and then working collaboratively with specialist leads to propose appropriate interventions/solutions.

Organisation Development and Strategy

Lead by example, working in partnership with the Learning & Development team; develop a coaching culture across the HRBP service to support personal development and improve people management skills ensuring the continuous professional development of the HRBP and advisory service.

Identify specific employment issues from workforce trends and staff feedback mechanisms implementing HR interventions to meet business needs. Working in partnership with the Senior HR Management team and key stakeholders enabling the successful delivery of a joined-up service for the management of employment and educational matters for staff.

Oversee the design and delivery of HR skills training to internal and external stakeholders as identified to enable effective implementation of policies and procedures.

Lead workforce thinking, encouraging innovation and championing workforce modernisation to support service development.

Act as an advocate of modernisation and change to identify new ways of working that support the efficient delivery of service to key stakeholders.

Lead and project manage key HR initiatives and change programmes in accordance with agreed requirements realising effective co-ordination of people, resource and talent ensuring the benefits are realised.

Embed a culture of continuous learning including the implementation of lessons learned processes for continual service improvement.

Support the Head of HR Operations with the delivery of change management programmes, engagement and staff well-being assisting in the design of key change programmes to ensure they realise effective coordination of people, resource and talent; to ensure that such initiatives are embedded, and the benefits realised.

Proactively horizon scan the broader external climate to identify government policy, economic and other social issues which may affect trends in industrial relations and then proactively anticipate any issues for the Trust ahead of them occurring so contingency plans/solutions can be developed.

As a senior member of the HR team contribute to the development of the Workforce function including policies, strategies and business plans which enable Service corporate aims and objectives to be achieved.

To provide proactive input on contemporary and novel HR models, practices and interventions to ensure that the HR service remains outward looking and receptive to new ideas and approaches.

Co-ordinate the provision of accurate and timely information as requested.

Support stakeholders in the analysis of HR metrics/statistics highlighting any trends.

Support stakeholders in the development of action plans to address any areas which require improvement.

Coach and guide stakeholders on specific employment relations issues emphasising the importance of good record keeping and data protection.

Raising HR Management Capability championing best HRM practice, influencing key business decisions to ensure the effective management of staff through the fair, efficient and pragmatic application of best HR practice; this will include the training and coaching of managers in HR policy and practice and the monitoring and development of best HR practice to embrace diversity in the workforce.

Workforce Planning and Information

Support the implementation of workforce metrics and performance targets and work closely with the Workforce information team to produce regular monitoring reports for effective cascade of management information to key stakeholders.

Analyse workforce information and productivity measures and work with the Head of HR Operations and key stakeholders to develop plans and strategies to support improvement and efficiency within the Service.

Work with the Senior Management team and senior stakeholders to strategically align workforce strategies to enhance service delivery and employee experience.

Identify specific employment issues from workforce trends and staff feedback mechanisms and support the development of local and Trust-wide HR interventions to meet business needs.

Work with the Head of HR to develop metrics which measure contribution of the HRBP roles to Trust objectives.

Team Leadership and Development

Support colleagues in their continuous professional development.

Lead on the monitoring of regular reports on contractual matters escalating any areas of concern to the Head of HR Operations and the Assistant Director of HR Operations.

Be responsible for own development, including attendance at mandatory training and continually keep up to date with changes to employment legislation and best practice.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

Operational Service Delivery

Ensure the provision of a pro-active, innovative, effective and high-quality HR service which is responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

Provision of strategic leadership

Manage and provide professional advice and guidance on highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious employee relations issues and enquiries received within the department, providing timely expert advice in order to minimise risk and financial exposure.

Implement effective HR systems to record and monitor all case activity and monitor compliance in relation to data protection, E&D and other HR related legislation including legal costs.

Work in partnership with stakeholders and the Trusts senior management team to identify and implement workforce plans and strategies enabling the successful delivery of the service objectives and achievement of business targets.

Anticipate the impact of external changes on the workforce and develop effective solutions and strategies to support the changing environment.

Support the Head of HR Operations in the delivery of management/workforce information to meet Trusts obligations and priorities.

Work as a member of the HR Operations Senior Management Team to ensure the achievement of the service business plan, objectives and KPIs.

Represent the service at various meetings as required.

Support the Head of HR Operations to maintain and develop professional HR services, systems, records, and quality/control procedures.

Implement and maintain effective recording and monitoring systems for attendance management activity.

Monitor and manage delivery against targets producing regular management and update reports detailing service performance levels.

Proactively seek customer service feedback from stakeholders and make recommendations to the HR Senior Management team.

Develop and implement new policies and SOPS relating to HR as appropriate and ensure that they are embedded within the department which reflect national and local policy and current legislative requirements.

Employee Relations and Stakeholder Management

Maintain effective industrial relations with staff side to ensure the efficient and effective management of cases.

Establish strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure that services are delivered effectively and improvements are made where possible.

Support and promote the health and wellbeing agenda, influencing stakeholders to promote opportunities for improved attendance management.

Work with external organisations i.e. NHS employers enabling the effective management of complex and contentious workforce matters to inform strategy and service development.

Develop effective relationships with stakeholders enabling the continuous improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of the HR Service.

Develop and sustain effective relationships within the Trust and ensure the service is viewed positively by adding value to the HR Service.

Develop and maintain relationships within the wider HR community to enable networking and sharing of best practice.

Develop and maintain effective internal and external communication networks to support the delivery of the HR Service.

Facilitate the process of involvement, consultations, negotiations with staff and their representatives working closely with the staff side representatives.

Actively promote positive behaviours, the Trusts values and culture across the division.

Champion the Equality and Diversity agenda and proactively support stakeholders to ensure the principles are embedded within their organisations where trainees are on placement.

Advise stakeholders to create an environment of health and well-being. Undertake specific projects where trends or issues arise to ensure that all staff feel valued and respected in the workplace.

Attend stakeholder meetings as required.

Foster a positive climate of employee relations within the service, to sustain an effective partnership approach and develop and maintain good working relationships with representatives of Trade Unions and staff organisations.

Oversee the monitoring of employee relations activity including case type, complexity, and volume of ER cases in the division to diagnose organisational health and other issues for the service which need to be addressed and then working collaboratively with specialist leads to propose appropriate interventions/solutions.

Organisation Development and Strategy

Lead by example, working in partnership with the Learning & Development team; develop a coaching culture across the HRBP service to support personal development and improve people management skills ensuring the continuous professional development of the HRBP and advisory service.

Identify specific employment issues from workforce trends and staff feedback mechanisms implementing HR interventions to meet business needs. Working in partnership with the Senior HR Management team and key stakeholders enabling the successful delivery of a joined-up service for the management of employment and educational matters for staff.

Oversee the design and delivery of HR skills training to internal and external stakeholders as identified to enable effective implementation of policies and procedures.

Lead workforce thinking, encouraging innovation and championing workforce modernisation to support service development.

Act as an advocate of modernisation and change to identify new ways of working that support the efficient delivery of service to key stakeholders.

Lead and project manage key HR initiatives and change programmes in accordance with agreed requirements realising effective co-ordination of people, resource and talent ensuring the benefits are realised.

Embed a culture of continuous learning including the implementation of lessons learned processes for continual service improvement.

Support the Head of HR Operations with the delivery of change management programmes, engagement and staff well-being assisting in the design of key change programmes to ensure they realise effective coordination of people, resource and talent; to ensure that such initiatives are embedded, and the benefits realised.

Proactively horizon scan the broader external climate to identify government policy, economic and other social issues which may affect trends in industrial relations and then proactively anticipate any issues for the Trust ahead of them occurring so contingency plans/solutions can be developed.

As a senior member of the HR team contribute to the development of the Workforce function including policies, strategies and business plans which enable Service corporate aims and objectives to be achieved.

To provide proactive input on contemporary and novel HR models, practices and interventions to ensure that the HR service remains outward looking and receptive to new ideas and approaches.

Co-ordinate the provision of accurate and timely information as requested.

Support stakeholders in the analysis of HR metrics/statistics highlighting any trends.

Support stakeholders in the development of action plans to address any areas which require improvement.

Coach and guide stakeholders on specific employment relations issues emphasising the importance of good record keeping and data protection.

Raising HR Management Capability championing best HRM practice, influencing key business decisions to ensure the effective management of staff through the fair, efficient and pragmatic application of best HR practice; this will include the training and coaching of managers in HR policy and practice and the monitoring and development of best HR practice to embrace diversity in the workforce.

Workforce Planning and Information

Support the implementation of workforce metrics and performance targets and work closely with the Workforce information team to produce regular monitoring reports for effective cascade of management information to key stakeholders.

Analyse workforce information and productivity measures and work with the Head of HR Operations and key stakeholders to develop plans and strategies to support improvement and efficiency within the Service.

Work with the Senior Management team and senior stakeholders to strategically align workforce strategies to enhance service delivery and employee experience.

Identify specific employment issues from workforce trends and staff feedback mechanisms and support the development of local and Trust-wide HR interventions to meet business needs.

Work with the Head of HR to develop metrics which measure contribution of the HRBP roles to Trust objectives.

Team Leadership and Development

Support colleagues in their continuous professional development.

Lead on the monitoring of regular reports on contractual matters escalating any areas of concern to the Head of HR Operations and the Assistant Director of HR Operations.

Be responsible for own development, including attendance at mandatory training and continually keep up to date with changes to employment legislation and best practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level and/or equivalent level of qualification and/or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Chartered member of CIPD (MCIPD) or actively working towards

Desirable

  • Employment Law qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in a senior HR position
  • Substantial operational HR experience post qualification with proven experience of delivering advice on highly complex matters to senior stakeholders
  • Experience of working and negotiating with Trade Unions
  • Experience at Senior Management level
  • Ability to persuade and influence stakeholders at all levels and to challenge constructively
  • Management of change in a large and complex organisation including TUPE transfers
  • Experience of line management, including sickness absence management, managing performance and appraisals
  • Experience of developing effective relations with internal and external stakeholders
  • Sound knowledge of employment law and its application in employment practice
  • Experience of complex query management
  • Experience of working with external stakeholders
  • Experience of analysing workforce information
  • Experience of contributing to strategy development

Desirable

  • Clear understanding of the major issues affecting the NHS HR agenda
  • Proven ability to manage resources effectively

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to act as a Change Agent

Desirable

  • Effective coach and mediator
  • Project management skills

Other

Desirable

  • Customer focussed
  • Treats colleagues and stakeholders with dignity and respect
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level and/or equivalent level of qualification and/or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of continued professional development
  • Chartered member of CIPD (MCIPD) or actively working towards

Desirable

  • Employment Law qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in a senior HR position
  • Substantial operational HR experience post qualification with proven experience of delivering advice on highly complex matters to senior stakeholders
  • Experience of working and negotiating with Trade Unions
  • Experience at Senior Management level
  • Ability to persuade and influence stakeholders at all levels and to challenge constructively
  • Management of change in a large and complex organisation including TUPE transfers
  • Experience of line management, including sickness absence management, managing performance and appraisals
  • Experience of developing effective relations with internal and external stakeholders
  • Sound knowledge of employment law and its application in employment practice
  • Experience of complex query management
  • Experience of working with external stakeholders
  • Experience of analysing workforce information
  • Experience of contributing to strategy development

Desirable

  • Clear understanding of the major issues affecting the NHS HR agenda
  • Proven ability to manage resources effectively

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to act as a Change Agent

Desirable

  • Effective coach and mediator
  • Project management skills

Other

Desirable

  • Customer focussed
  • Treats colleagues and stakeholders with dignity and respect

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Employer's website

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


For questions about the job, contact:

Assistant Director of HR Operations

Catherine Lothian

Catherine.Lothian@sthk.nhs.uk

01512904915

Date posted

22 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£50,952 to £57,349 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

409-S6513594-A

Job locations

Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)