Associate Director of People and Organisational Development (OD)

Job Summary

It is a critical time for our organisation as we strengthen and improve our operational services so that we can best serve our population across the North East and beyond. We now have a vacancy for a new role of Associate Director of People and Organisational Development (OD).

You will be the most senior member of the People function responsible for the overall leadership and management of HR and organisational development across the Trust reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Executive or Designated Executive Director.

The role will be responsible for the delivery of strategic and operational service objectives relating to Human Resources and the wider portfolio that is set by the board. Working with the Deputy Chief Executive or Designated Executive Director to implement the Trust People Strategy.

You will have a comprehensive operational portfolio of HR ensuring that the portfolio areas meet regulatory and mandatory standards.

Main Duties of the Job

The post would work closely with the Deputy Chief Executive or Designated Executive Director as a key member of the Trust\’s operational management team, working closely with Clinical Board and Corporate Director colleagues and contributing strongly to the overall management of the Trust and the services it provides.

You will support the Deputy Chief Executive or Designated Executive Director and working closely with other Directors set out a clear strategic direction and inspire others and to translate strategic objectives into deliverable operational plans.

We are looking for a proven leader who role models emotional intelligence and inclusive leadership to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the Trust. You will have the ability to develop effective working relationships with key partners and influence a wide range of internal and external colleagues to bring about positive change.

Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate a track record of senior HR leadership and management covering a range of people functions including resourcing, workforce planning, equality and diversity, operational HR services, recognition and reward, employee relations, HR Business partnering, staff well-being and temporary staffing, medical staffing. You will have experience of operating near Board level, either as a Deputy or Associate/Assistant Director.

About Us

Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

• Freeman Hospital
• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service
• Cramlington Manor Walks

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under \’Documents to download\’ or \’Supporting documents\’.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals

Date Posted: 28 February 2025
Pay Scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary: Depending on experience Circa £130,000
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Reference Number: 317-2025-08-077
Job Locations: Trustwide based at Regent Point, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3HD

Job Responsibilities

The job description is detailed in the recruitment pack that is under \’supporting documents\’ or \’documents to download\’.

Personal attributes include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, alignment to our core values and behaviours, and the credibility to work collaboratively with clinicians, senior management, staff and key stakeholders across the system to build productive relationships.

Essential Requirements

Masters level education or equivalent post-graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience. You will have evidence of ongoing personal and professional development and have MCIPD.

This post is subject to the rehabilitation of 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 Services (formerly known as the Criminal Records Bureau) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Due to the seniority of the post, appropriate checks relevant to the Fit and Proper Persons Requirement will also be undertaken.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please contact Alison Greener, Personal Assistant to the Acting Chief Executive via or 0191 282 6055.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Education

• Educated to a Master\’s degree or equivalent post-graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of ongoing personal and professional development
• MCIPD

Desirable

• FCIPD
• Formal project/programme management qualification

Essential Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrable track record of senior HR leadership and management covering a range of people functions including resourcing, workforce planning, equality and diversity, operational HR services, recognition and reward, employee relations, HR Business partnering, staff well-being and temporary staffing, medical staffing.
• Experience of operating near Board level, either as a Deputy or Associate/Assistant Director.
• A proven track record of leading, designing and delivering complex and/or large-scale organisational change, working with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience of working in partnership with recognised unions and professional groups, including leading complex discussions and negotiations, and developing these relationships in support of being a great employer.
• Experience of project management including both in-function projects and large-scale organisation-wide change projects.
• Experience of researching, developing and delivering innovative people strategy/strategies that have achieved measurable improvement in staff experience and/or other people metrics.
• Knowledge and understanding of the UK employment legislation framework and operational impact on the workforce.
• Broad understanding of the current NHS policy context, financial regime and workforce and training issues and of NHS working practices and their impact on people management.

Desirable

• Experience of delivering cost improvement and/or workforce productivity initiatives that have delivered significant quantified savings.
• Experience of working in the NHS and/or other public sector organisation at a senior level.
• Good knowledge of NHS contracts (Agenda for Change (AfC) and Medical & Dental).

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Highly developed leadership, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate, challenge and engage individuals and teams.
• Supporting the DCEO or ED and working with the other Directors set out a clear strategic direction and inspire others and to translate strategic objectives into deliverable operational plans.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with key partners and influence a wide range of internal and external colleagues to bring about positive change, including convening and coaching the HR Business Partners.
• Credibility and confidence to contribute and influence at a senior level, including providing professional HR advice to Executive and Board colleagues.
• Demonstrable commitment to maintaining and delivering excellent customer service.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills to deliver projects to time and budget.
• Able to develop creative solutions and with strong problem-solving skills, even for the most complex and intractable people issues affecting services.
• Analytical and judgmental skills with an ability to deal with complex situations tactfully and with discretion.
• Able to conduct difficult and challenging conversations on a regular basis, including with the most senior colleagues in relation to complex employee relations issues such as conduct, capability and behaviours.

Essential Values, Behavioural & Attitudes

• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Flexible, well-motivated, adaptable team player.
• Resilient with ability to work under pressure as well as hold challenging and difficult conversations.
• Committed to promoting and maintaining openness, inclusiveness and fairness with an understanding of what this means in terms of behaviours.
• Self-awareness and commitment to continuous improvement in working practices.

Essential Core Behaviours

• Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours.
• Take personal responsibility to engage with the Trust\’s Climate Emergency Strategy and Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (SHINE) initiatives; assist in embedding our sustainability values into everyday practice; and help ensure such practice is applied consistently by you and your colleagues.

Essential NHS Leadership Competency Framework

• Be able to demonstrate the six NHS Leadership Competency Domains.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer Details

Employer Name: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trustwide based at Regent Point, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3HD
Employer\’s Website: #J-18808-Ljbffr