Strategic People Partner

Thank you for your interest in joining us at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

We pride ourselves in striving to be an employer of choice.

Strategic Themes

Great Care

• Care based on what matters to people.
• Care provided at home or close to home.
• Improvement through learning, research and innovation.
• Prevention and alternatives to hospital.

Great Organisation

• Buildings that support health and wellbeing.
• Technology enabled care.
• Care teams are supported by responsive corporate services.
• Safe, efficient, effective and productive.

Great People

• A place people love to work and feel valued.
• Living our values with staff (all voices count).
• Attract, grow and develop talent.
• Leaders with compassion, who continuously learn and listen.

Great Partner

• Encourage and enable effective partnerships.
• Joined-up community services.
• Work with others to maximise workforce opportunities.
• Reduce our impact on the environment.

At the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s job share, part time or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a ‘home’ office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Job overview

Shape the future of work, care and culture in Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

We are creating a new Strategic People Partner role at a pivotal moment for our organisation.

As we redesign services, develop integrated neighbourhood teams and transform how we work, we're looking for an experienced people professional who can help shape the workforce, leadership and culture needed for the future.

This is not a traditional HR Business Partner role. You'll work alongside senior leaders to influence workforce strategy, organisational design, service transformation and cultural change, ensuring our people agenda enables outstanding care and supports new ways of working.

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with a strong commitment to inclusion, belonging and values-based leadership. You'll be confident working in complex environments, building trusted relationships and helping leaders navigate change.

At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we want our values to be reflected in everyday experiences, creating a workplace where difference is celebrated, diverse perspectives are welcomed and everyone feels they belong.

If you're passionate about shaping organisations, developing inclusive cultures and designing workforce solutions that make a lasting difference to colleagues, patients and communities, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a rare opportunity to help create the future, not simply respond to it.
Proposed interview dates: 12th & 13th November 2026

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Deputy Director of HR & OD, the Strategic People Partner provides strategic leadership and expert workforce advice to support the delivery of Trust objectives.

Working closely with Area Directors and senior leaders, you will ensure workforce plans, people strategies and transformation programmes align with organisational priorities and support sustainable, high-quality services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading workforce planning and addressing future workforce requirements and skills gaps
• Supporting workforce transformation, organisational design and service redesign programmes
• Developing talent management, succession planning and leadership development approaches
• Leading initiatives that improve employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and staff experience
• Supporting managers and leaders through organisational change and transformation
• Providing advice on complex workforce matters, employment legislation and people management practice
• Using workforce data and metrics to inform decision-making and improvement plans
• Coaching and influencing leaders to develop positive cultures and high-performing teams
• Building strong relationships with leaders and stakeholders across the organisation
• Delivering people solutions that support organisational performance and service objectives

Portfolio responsibilities may vary in line with organisational priorities and emerging business needs.

Working for our organisation

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.

Person specification

Education

• Highly specialist knowledge of one, or ideally, more HR topics acquired through degree and professional HR qualification plus additional training to Masters level or equivalent experience
• Professional knowledge acquired through degree and ideally experience
• CIPD Qualification or equivalent or willing to work towards.
• Chartered membership of the CIPD

Skills

• Proven influencing and negotiation skills where there may be barriers to understanding
• Analytical skills and able to interpret complex information and translate this into meaningful information to support projects
• A track record of proven relationship management skills

At Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust we are proud to prioritise the development of our people. To support this, the following opportunities are available:

• Career conversations and individual development plans for succession planning and talent management
• Protected CPD time for registered staff
• Access to a dedicated central development fund supporting CPD for all staff
• Leadership and Management development programmes
• Coaching and mentoring opportunities
• A full clinical induction programme for operational skills
• Access to a care certificate programme for our band 1-4 clinical staff
• A bespoke and robust preceptorship programme to support newly qualified staff

Being part of a successful NHS Foundation Trust brings a portfolio of rewards and benefits for our staff. These include:

• Suite of health and wellbeing initiatives to support our colleagues physical and mental health
• Free access to individual HARP portfolios to support revalidation for nursing staff
• Free DBS checks where required
• Discounts available from retailers, UK hotels and main attractions
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

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