NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Strategic People Partner

The closing date is 02 March 2026

Job summary

Calling all HR rockstars!Are you awesome?Are you looking to work with an awesome team?Then look no further and come and join our team.

At the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), we're all about improving outcomes for people using the NHS and other public health and social care services. We produce evidence-based guidance, develop quality standards, and provide a range of information services.Are you ready to make a real impact in the world of health and social care? Do you have a passion for people and a knack for strategic thinking? Do you want to join a supportive, forward-thinking team? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you, as we're looking for an amazing Strategic People Partner! If you're looking to become part of our team, you'll need to hold a degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent experience) and have worked in a HR/ER role previously with strong working knowledge of OD and/or L&D.For this role, we seek exceptional and dynamic candidates who exhibit true leadership behaviours, embody our values, and consistently challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zones.

Main duties of the job

What You'll Do:We're dedicated to developing an innovative Partnership model for all central functions, using an Organisational Development (OD) approach to guide our efforts. This role is crucial in bringing fresh insights and perspectives to this transformative work.o Innovate and Implement: Develop and manage strategic people-orientated initiatives that guarantee the success, growth, and engagement of our colleagues.o Be a Change Agent: Promote a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning.o Collaborate: Work closely with leadership teams to ensure employee satisfaction and well-being.o Resolve Conflicts: Address people-related issues with integrity, compassion, and confidentiality.o Foster Growth: Contribute to personal development plans and provide guidance and feedback.o Trusted Expert: Act as a trusted expert on change management and the design, delivery of appropriate organisational development interventions.

About us

As part of the People team and wider Facilities, Improvement & People Directorate, we've achieved:?Elevated Engagement: We've soared to new heights, as the leading Directorate to become thetop-performing teamin the organisation!?Driven Real Change: By embedding aRestorative, Just, and Learning Culture, we've made atangible impactthat's already transforming our workplace.?Strengthened Union Partnerships: We've turned challenges into opportunities, fostering a spirit ofcollaborationand mutual respect.?Championed Inclusivity: Our commitment to diversity and representation has led tomeasurable improvements, making our team more inclusive than ever before.o Join Our Team - What we can offer you:o Supportive Team Culture: We believe in lifting each other up and encouraging open communication. Here, your voice truly matters!o Flexible & Hybrid Work Environment: Enjoy working from home and in our modern offices in the centre of Manchester and Stratford, London.o Professional Growth: Unlock opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.o Inclusive Workplace: Be part of a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels valued.o ? Want to Learn More? ?o For further information on this exciting opportunity, reach out to Jennifer Dootson, our Head of Learning, Talent & Strategic Partnerships, at Jennifer.dootson@nice.org.uk. Jennifer is eager to discuss how you can be part of our dynamic team!

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

907-843

Job locations

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Job description

Job responsibilities

To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job. What You'll Bring: Visionary Leadership: Proven experience in human resources or a people partner role. Legal Savvy: Strong working understanding of UK employment law and experience resolving employee relations queries. People Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Change Maker: Ability to lead change and manage conflicts effectively. Organised & Proactive: Highly organised with a relentless focus on continuous improvement.Please see job description attached for full list of responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job. What You'll Bring: Visionary Leadership: Proven experience in human resources or a people partner role. Legal Savvy: Strong working understanding of UK employment law and experience resolving employee relations queries. People Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Change Maker: Ability to lead change and manage conflicts effectively. Organised & Proactive: Highly organised with a relentless focus on continuous improvement.Please see job description attached for full list of responsibilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level and/or working towards a Master's degree, or able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience and development, with examples of how this has been applied in practice.

Qualifications

Essential

  • CIPD Level 7 qualified, or actively working towards it, with examples of how this study has informed your professional approach.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of building people management capability, competence and confidence, including specific examples of initiatives, interventions or outcomes you have delivered.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a HR/ER role within a complex organisation, supported by examples that illustrate the scale, complexity or challenges you have managed.

Skills

Essential

  • Exemplary communication skills, demonstrated through examples of how you have built rapport, influenced senior leaders, and constructively presented challenge when required.

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to lead change and manage conflict effectively, evidenced through real examples of situations you have navigated and the impact of your approach.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level and/or working towards a Master's degree, or able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience and development, with examples of how this has been applied in practice.

Qualifications

Essential

  • CIPD Level 7 qualified, or actively working towards it, with examples of how this study has informed your professional approach.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of building people management capability, competence and confidence, including specific examples of initiatives, interventions or outcomes you have delivered.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a HR/ER role within a complex organisation, supported by examples that illustrate the scale, complexity or challenges you have managed.

Skills

Essential

  • Exemplary communication skills, demonstrated through examples of how you have built rapport, influenced senior leaders, and constructively presented challenge when required.

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to lead change and manage conflict effectively, evidenced through real examples of situations you have navigated and the impact of your approach.

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Address

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.nice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Address

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.nice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Learning, Talent and Strategic Partnering

Jennifer Dootson

Jennifer.dootson@nice.org.uk

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

907-843

Job locations

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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