Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the strategic direction for workforce development in health and social care.
- Company: NHS Education for Scotland is dedicated to sustainable change through workforce education and training.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, NHS pension, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while fostering a culture of learning and development.
- Qualifications: Strong HR leadership experience at Board level with a focus on people and culture.
- Other info: Open to diverse backgrounds; fresh perspectives are welcomed!
The predicted salary is between 82000 - 110000 £ per year.
Director of People & Culture
Executive and Senior Manager E – £96,982 to £124,871
Flexible Location: Based throughout Scotland, NES is a remote friendly employer supporting office and hybrid working. We are happy to talk about how you want to work as there will be occasions when you will be required to be present at our Glasgow and Edinburgh offices.
Work Pattern: Permanent, Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. You must have eligibility and entitlement to work in the UK which is required to be maintained throughout your period of employment.
Who We Are
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is the national health board with statutory responsibilities to effect sustainable change through workforce development, education and training across the health and social care system in Scotland, while working at UK level with partner organisations. The Workforce Directorate works at a national level to support the delivery of NES’s strategic plan and is a key partner to the delivery of Scottish Government priorities for the health and social care workforce. The Workforce Directorate plays a multifaceted and dynamic role within NES. We\’re not just responsible for facilitating the attraction, recruitment, support, training, development, reward, and recognition of NES\’s workforce; we also hold a crucial responsibility in the employment of doctors and dentists in training across Scotland. Our remit also extends externally to NHS Scotland in the recruitment of medical and dental trainees and other vocational trainee groups, across Scotland\’s broader health sector. We provide a comprehensive People and Organisational Development service, and our corporate involvement also extends to managing organisational change through consultancy services. Additionally, we are deeply engaged in ensuring that NES fulfils its commitments to Equality and Diversity, not only within our own workforce but also across all organisational activities.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our team as the Director of People & Culture in an organisation that focuses on enabling its people to flourish and have a voice. This is a unique opportunity to lead, direct and inform the strategic direction for NES and contribute to the national health and social care workforce perspective. You will have a strong background in people, culture, organisational development and HR and bring a strong public service ethos.
As the Director of People & Culture, you will support the Chief Executive and Board to make strategic workforce decisions, understanding the appetite for risk and influence the key drivers for improving people performance. In addition, you will drive the establishment of strategies which create the conditions for a strong learning and development culture and continuous improvement. This includes being the lead director for implementing and evidencing the NHS Staff Governance Standard and Staff Governance Committee.
What We Love to See
- You will be a seasoned, credible HR leader and professional with considerable experience of operating at Board level in a diverse, complex, and expanding organisation which requires the operation and understanding of matrix management skills.
- You will be an inspiring individual and strategic thinker with the ability to earn the confidence and respect necessary to bring about real change.
- You will be an inspiring leader with the vision and drive, as well as a broad range of strategic and professional skills to shape and design services and the workforce required to deliver our strategic aims.
- You will be confident and experienced working at executive and senior management level.
- Your values will include and demonstrate in your actions Care & Compassion; Dignity & Respect; Openness, Honesty & Responsibility; and Quality & Teamwork.
Benefits Which Matter
As a valued employee of NHS Scotland, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:
- Life-work balance – with opportunities for flexible working and remote working.
- Generous NHS pension scheme.
- Annual incremental salary progression (up to the maximum of the salary band) plus annual NHS salary scale review.
- Annual Leave – 27 Days increasing in line with service plus 8 days public holiday.
- NHS discounts and more.
Diversity and Inclusion
Developing a successful national service for Scotland is impossible without ensuring we consider the diverse needs, perspectives, and backgrounds of everyone in Scotland in our work. We are focused on hiring the absolute best talent available for NES, and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and aim to ensure everyone is treated fairly, with respect and has a positive recruitment experience – regardless of the outcome. It is not essential to be in a Director of People & Culture role right now. You may be returning from a career break (e.g. maternity, paternity, caring for others) or returning after working in another field. Your experiences elsewhere can bring a fresh perspective to our work.
Next Steps
Our recruitment process will consist of a mixture of face to face and online events.
If you are considering applying and feel it would be helpful to discuss this initially, please contact Catriona Mackie, Director, Aspen .
Please see our Recruitment Pack for more information on the recruitment process for this vacancy. Unless otherwise stated the deadline for applications is 23:59 hours on the closing date.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to submit their CV with a statement in support of their application demonstrating how you meet the competencies for this post. CVs should include details of references and must be submitted to . Acknowledgment of receipt will be provided. Applicants are also asked to return the Equality Questionnaire which forms part of the recruitment pack.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of People and Culture employer: Aspen People
Contact Detail:
Aspen People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People and Culture
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the NHS Staff Governance Standard and be prepared to discuss how you would implement it. This shows your commitment to quality and governance in the health sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in leading organizational change and development initiatives. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully driven cultural transformation in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of the diverse needs within the workforce. Prepare to discuss strategies you've used to promote equality and inclusion in past positions, as this aligns with NES's values.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your strategic thinking skills by discussing how you would align workforce development with the broader goals of NHS Scotland. This will illustrate your ability to contribute to national priorities.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of People and Culture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Director of People & Culture position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly outline your relevant experience in HR, people management, and organizational development. Use bullet points to make it easy to read and ensure that you include quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Write a Strong Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, address the competencies required for the role directly. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you embody the values of Care & Compassion, Dignity & Respect, Openness, Honesty & Responsibility, and Quality & Teamwork.
Review and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to review and edit your documents. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that your application is clear and concise. It might also be helpful to have someone else read it over for feedback.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspen People
✨Understand the Strategic Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of how the Director of People & Culture role fits into the broader strategic goals of NHS Education for Scotland. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to support workforce development and education.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Highlight your previous leadership roles, especially those at the Board level. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams through change and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in your past organizations.
✨Emphasize Values Alignment
Familiarize yourself with the core values of NES: Care & Compassion, Dignity & Respect, Openness, Honesty & Responsibility, and Quality & Teamwork. Be ready to provide examples from your career that demonstrate how you embody these values in your work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you addressed them, particularly in relation to people management and organizational development.
