Workforce Planner in Kent, Manston

About Us

DrPA has been operating in secure environments since 2014 providing General Practitioner services and we are now growing to provide a complete healthcare service at Manston STHF & Western Jet Foil. This will be delivered directly or through a range of specialist partners who are experts in their field. We deliver our services based on our ethos of CARE: Compassionate care that is trauma informed and supportive, Assurance that care is evidence-based & demonstrates high quality outcomes for our patients, Respectful of people’s cultural and religious beliefs, Empowerment. We centre each resident by co-creating holistic care plans that treat their needs and equip them to self-manage their wellbeing.

Job Summary

The Workforce Planner is a key operational role responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective deployment of staff at Manston STHF. The post-holder will analyse workforce data, forecast staffing requirements, and provide actionable insights to support decision-making. The role requires close collaboration with the Senior Management Team, operational leads, HR, and other stakeholders to ensure workforce strategies meet operational demands, regulatory requirements, and organisational objectives. This role is central to maintaining operational readiness, supporting staff wellbeing, and ensuring compliance with security and workforce governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Workforce Planning & Forecasting: Analyse current staffing levels, patterns, and utilisation, identifying risks of over- or under-staffing. Produce detailed workforce forecasts to meet both routine operations and contingency requirements. Model staffing requirements against operational activity, including processing volumes, peak periods, and special operations. Develop workforce scenarios to support strategic planning and business continuity.
• Operational Rota & Resource Management: Design, maintain, and optimise rotas and shift patterns to ensure coverage and operational efficiency. Monitor attendance, leave, overtime, and absenteeism, proposing solutions to address gaps. Collaborate with operational managers to balance workforce allocation with safety, security, and operational priorities. Ensure that workforce utilisation aligns with regulatory, contractual, and security obligations.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Maintain accurate workforce data, producing dashboards, KPIs, and management reports. Analyse trends in staffing, recruitment, retention, and performance to inform decision-making. Provide actionable insights for operational planning, cost optimisation, and workforce development. Support operational audits, performance reviews, and governance reporting through accurate data provision. Supports site KPIs by ensuring staffing levels meet operational demand, optimising rota efficiency, reducing gaps in coverage, and providing accurate workforce data and forecasts that enable compliance with Home Office, security, and operational performance targets.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Advice: Act as a workforce planning advisor to the Senior Management Team and operational leads. Communicate workforce plans, challenges, and recommendations clearly to management and staff. Liaise with HR, recruitment, and training teams to ensure workforce readiness, development, and succession planning. Support management in workforce-related risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Governance, Compliance & Continuous Improvement: Ensure workforce planning complies with data protection, GDPR, and Caldicott principles. Maintain workforce records, reporting, and documentation in line with organisational policies. Support continuous improvement initiatives by providing analysis, recommendations, and monitoring progress. Contribute to policy and procedure development related to workforce management, scheduling, and operational effectiveness.

General Responsibilities

• Promote DrPA Secure’s CARE ethos in all duties.
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity at all times.
• Support equality, diversity, and inclusion in all work activities.
• Take responsibility for personal development and wellbeing.
• Work flexibly to meet organisational needs, including occasional evenings or weekends.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in workforce planning, operational planning, scheduling, or resource management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and numerical skills.
• Advanced Excel skills, including modelling, pivot tables, and reporting dashboards.
• Experience using workforce management systems or scheduling software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced operational environment.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information.
• Commitment to DrPA Secure’s values and ethos.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in secure, operational, or public sector environments.
• Knowledge of HR systems, rostering software, or workforce management platforms.
• Familiarity with operational audits, compliance, and workforce reporting requirements.
• Experience in providing actionable insights to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Understanding of business continuity planning and contingency staffing.

General Information

The post holder may be required to perform other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably needed. This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.

Benefits

• Pension salary scheme available
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential 24/7 support
• Access to perks at work

Disclosure and Barring Service Check & CTC Clearance

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. This post will require the holder to undertake and successfully complete the Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC) process.

Please note, in order to apply, all applicants need to have been living in the United Kingdom (with residency in the UK, such as UK/Irish/EU Passport, or an Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa) for the last 5 years with no more than a 28 day break being outside of the UK and no gaps in employment during this time. Shortlisted candidates will be asked for RTW, DBS/CTC consent and references.