Job summary
Workforce Lead - NHP
Department: Strategic Estates
Band 8A pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5Hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
At MKUH, we're proud to be moving forward with the Milton Keynes New Hospital Programme - a major development that will see the creation of a new Women's and Children's Hospital on our current site. As the Workforce Lead, you'll play a key role in shaping the workforce strategy to support this expansion, ensuring we have the right people and skills in place to meet the future healthcare needs of our community.
In this role, you'll collaborate closely with the wider Programme team - including the Clinical Lead for Strategic Development, the Digital Innovation Lead, and clinical advisors - to design workforce models that reflect new ways of working, embrace innovation, and support high-quality patient care.
We're looking for someone who takes a thoughtful and collaborative approach to their work, communicates effectively, and is confident working with a range of stakeholders. You'll have solid experience in workforce strategy, planning, and transformation, with a strong understanding of how to support complex programmes. Most importantly, you'll bring a focus on building a workforce that is inclusive, adaptable, and prepared for the future.
Interview date: 15th May 2025
Main duties of the job
Why Join UsThis is a great opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare in Milton Keynes. The New Hospital Programme will help us expand clinical capacity and improve patient experience, supported by modern technology and new models of care. You'll be part of a supportive, values-led team and will have the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, grow professionally, and help shape services that will benefit our community for years to come.
The post holder will provide support to the NHP team on workforce planning andtransformation. Acting as a change agent, working collaboratively within matrix cross-organisational teams, to deliver workforce transformation projects to time and within budget.
Prepare and deliver verbal, written and presentational reports of a high standard to internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
About us
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Flexibility is embraced, with 64% expressing satisfaction with the flexible working patterns available to accommodate diverse needs.(NHS Staff Survey 2023).
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Deliver the strategy
Work as an integral part of the New Hospitals programme senior management team, and in conjunction with the wider Workforce teams (HR Business Partnering, Recruitment, Learning & Development, Organisational Development) to develop and author a workforce strategy which supports the Trusts Site Development Plan.
Work with the NHP senior management team to develop workforce plans aligned to current and future business requirements. This will include learning from best practice and digital pilots to understand new ways of working and developing skills mix.
Support the development of the economic and financial case through the development of workforce model assumptions.
Managing Services
Lead on change management across the NHP, assisting with the development of consultation papers, working with HR Business Partners to ensure appropriate consultation and manage the effective delivery of all programmes
Responsible for supporting the development of recruitment events and open days as part of along-term workforce plan for the NHP. Managing a small budget for the cost of recruitment events, advertising, and merchandise as appropriate.
Communicate with stakeholders regarding sensitive and complex workforce information, such as workforce data required for modelling and workforce planning.
Improving Services
Experience of managing and delivering a number of complex initiatives simultaneously in rapidly evolving, political, and high-pressure environments including effective management of risk.
Contributes to development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines across a number of departments, ensuring that clinical governance is embedded in practice.
Working with Others
Work closely with HR Business Partners to raise employee relations issues, seeking their advice and support in resolution of HR matters, ensuring consistency and best practice across the Trust.
Demonstrated ability to present effectively to a wide range of audiences including senior stakeholder groups.
Provide cross cover and support for Divisions/CSUs as and when required.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Deliver the strategy
Work as an integral part of the New Hospitals programme senior management team, and in conjunction with the wider Workforce teams (HR Business Partnering, Recruitment, Learning & Development, Organisational Development) to develop and author a workforce strategy which supports the Trusts Site Development Plan.
Work with the NHP senior management team to develop workforce plans aligned to current and future business requirements. This will include learning from best practice and digital pilots to understand new ways of working and developing skills mix.
Support the development of the economic and financial case through the development of workforce model assumptions.
Managing Services
Lead on change management across the NHP, assisting with the development of consultation papers, working with HR Business Partners to ensure appropriate consultation and manage the effective delivery of all programmes
Responsible for supporting the development of recruitment events and open days as part of along-term workforce plan for the NHP. Managing a small budget for the cost of recruitment events, advertising, and merchandise as appropriate.
Communicate with stakeholders regarding sensitive and complex workforce information, such as workforce data required for modelling and workforce planning.
Improving Services
Experience of managing and delivering a number of complex initiatives simultaneously in rapidly evolving, political, and high-pressure environments including effective management of risk.
Contributes to development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines across a number of departments, ensuring that clinical governance is embedded in practice.
Working with Others
Work closely with HR Business Partners to raise employee relations issues, seeking their advice and support in resolution of HR matters, ensuring consistency and best practice across the Trust.
Demonstrated ability to present effectively to a wide range of audiences including senior stakeholder groups.
Provide cross cover and support for Divisions/CSUs as and when required.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Master's degree level education or equivalent experience
- Evidence of on-ongoing recent relevant professional development AND portfolio evidence of being up to date with mandatory and statutory training.
- An understanding of core employment policies and practices to enable the training and coaching of others
- Knowledge and appreciation of strategies to overcome resistance to change.
Desirable
- Registered Nurse, 1st Level with current NMC Registration.
Experience
Essential
- Management experience in managing multi-professional environments
- Experience with developing and implementing workforce plans
- Demonstrable experience of designing and undertaking recruitment & selection processes
- Demonstrable experience of independently managing complex decisions
- Experience of supporting executive and non-executive directors
- Experience of policy consultation, development & implementation.
- Demonstrable experience of preparing and presenting at senior meetings
- Experience of acting as a change agent, working proactively to make recommendations for departmental and Organisational change
- Experience of using HR information systems and reporting, including ESR.
Skills
Essential
- Proven, project management skills
- Ability to build credibility by demonstrating the organisation's values, building trust with partners in the organisation and proactively contributing to organisational success.
- Ability to effectively deliver training to a range of audiences using interactive approaches to aid learning.
- Proven networking skills on different levels, employing use of tact, influence, and persuasion as appropriate.
- Good IT skills, including use of MS excel and word.
- Highly numerate, with the ability and analyse and interpret numerical and/or statistical workforce data.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work with all disciplines at all levels of an organisation.
- Ability to work and deliver against tight schedules.
- Ability to write coherent reports, policies, and policies.
- Good presentation skills.
- An understanding of process and service improvement techniques.
- Proactive, solution focused approach to implementation of HR interventions.
- Able to work autonomously.
- Able to deliver results through colleagues
Personal and people development
Essential
- Personal and people development
- A positive approach to working with others in a team environment.
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communicator - using a range of media across different levels.
- Strong influencer, able to contribute to shaping service strategies.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Master's degree level education or equivalent experience
- Evidence of on-ongoing recent relevant professional development AND portfolio evidence of being up to date with mandatory and statutory training.
- An understanding of core employment policies and practices to enable the training and coaching of others
- Knowledge and appreciation of strategies to overcome resistance to change.
Desirable
- Registered Nurse, 1st Level with current NMC Registration.
Experience
Essential
- Management experience in managing multi-professional environments
- Experience with developing and implementing workforce plans
- Demonstrable experience of designing and undertaking recruitment & selection processes
- Demonstrable experience of independently managing complex decisions
- Experience of supporting executive and non-executive directors
- Experience of policy consultation, development & implementation.
- Demonstrable experience of preparing and presenting at senior meetings
- Experience of acting as a change agent, working proactively to make recommendations for departmental and Organisational change
- Experience of using HR information systems and reporting, including ESR.
Skills
Essential
- Proven, project management skills
- Ability to build credibility by demonstrating the organisation's values, building trust with partners in the organisation and proactively contributing to organisational success.
- Ability to effectively deliver training to a range of audiences using interactive approaches to aid learning.
- Proven networking skills on different levels, employing use of tact, influence, and persuasion as appropriate.
- Good IT skills, including use of MS excel and word.
- Highly numerate, with the ability and analyse and interpret numerical and/or statistical workforce data.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work with all disciplines at all levels of an organisation.
- Ability to work and deliver against tight schedules.
- Ability to write coherent reports, policies, and policies.
- Good presentation skills.
- An understanding of process and service improvement techniques.
- Proactive, solution focused approach to implementation of HR interventions.
- Able to work autonomously.
- Able to deliver results through colleagues
Personal and people development
Essential
- Personal and people development
- A positive approach to working with others in a team environment.
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communicator - using a range of media across different levels.
- Strong influencer, able to contribute to shaping service strategies.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
