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- Tasks: Lead HR strategies to support high-quality patient care and workforce planning.
- Company: Join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, a vital part of the healthcare community.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff development, NHS pension, onsite facilities, and free psychological support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare by shaping effective workforce solutions.
- Qualifications: Extensive HR experience, strong knowledge of employment law, and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52800 ÂŁ per year.
As an HR Business Partner at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT), you will play a pivotal senior role supporting Divisions to deliver high‑quality patient care through an effective, engaged and well‑planned workforce. Working as a trusted adviser to Divisional leaders, you will shape and deliver strategic and operational HR solutions that align workforce capability, capacity and culture to the Trust’s priorities.
Main responsibilities
- Providing strategic HR leadership and advice to a Clinical Division, ensuring people strategies are aligned with Divisional and Trust‑wide objectives and support the delivery of safe, effective patient care.
- Leading the development and implementation of divisional workforce plans, including workforce modelling, skill mix reviews, succession planning and establishment control, working closely with finance and workforce colleagues.
- Supporting and leading complex organisational change and transformation programmes, including service redesign, restructuring, TUPE transfers and right‑sizing initiatives, ensuring appropriate consultation, risk management and staff engagement throughout.
- Acting as the senior lead for employee relations within the Division, managing and advising on highly complex and sensitive cases including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, capability and Maintaining High Professional Standards (MHPS) cases, ensuring consistency, fairness and legal compliance.
- Ensuring the Division complies with employment law, national NHS terms and conditions (Agenda for Change), Trust policies and relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Contributing to the development, review and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect current legislation, national guidance and best practice and meet audit and governance standards.
- Working collaboratively across HR specialisms – including Workforce, Recruitment, Organisational Development, Education, Wellbeing and Employee Relations – to deliver a coordinated, efficient and responsive HR service aligned to Divisional needs.
- Building and maintaining effective partnership working with trade unions and staff‑side representatives, supporting consultation, negotiation, communication and employee engagement.
- Providing professional leadership within the HR function, contributing to Trust‑wide HR projects and priorities, supporting the development of HR colleagues and deputising for the Head of HR Business Partnering when required.
Skills, knowledge and experience required
- Extensive senior‑level HR experience, ideally within a large, complex and unionised organisation, with a strong understanding of healthcare provision and the NHS operating environment.
- Highly developed knowledge of employment law, national NHS terms and conditions, and best‑practice HR and employee relations approaches, with the ability to apply this knowledge to complex and sensitive situations.
- Proven ability to operate strategically, seeing the wider organisational picture while translating strategic objectives into practical, deliverable workforce and operational plans.
- Significant experience of leading and advising on complex employee relations and medical staffing cases, managing risk and maintaining fairness, integrity and professionalism.
- Strong leadership, influencing and negotiation skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior leaders, clinicians and stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, assess risk, and develop pragmatic, evidence‑based solutions.
- Outstanding communication and relationship‑management skills, enabling the post holder to build trust, manage conflict, communicate highly sensitive information and foster effective partnerships.
- A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, demonstrating emotional intelligence, resilience and a values‑based approach to people management.
- Evidence of continuous professional development and professional HR registration (e.g. CIPD), reflecting a commitment to maintaining expertise and developing best practice.
Benefits
- Staff development opportunities.
- Enrolment in the NHS pension scheme and auto‑enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service.
- Access to onsite nurseries, staff restaurants and accommodation.
- Free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
- Onsite parking available from ÂŁ50 a year.
This advert closes on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
HR Business Partner | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in Eastbourne employer: ESHT
Contact Detail:
ESHT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in Eastbourne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Trust’s values and recent initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common HR scenarios and how we’d handle them. Being able to demonstrate our problem-solving skills in real-life situations will set us apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in Eastbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience in strategic HR leadership and employee relations, as this will show us that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed complex employee relations or led organisational change. This helps us see how you can contribute to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our Trust!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESHT
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and NHS terms and conditions. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in complex situations, as they'll want to see that you can handle the intricacies of HR within a healthcare setting.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've translated strategic objectives into practical workforce plans. Think about times when you've led organisational change or transformation programmes, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience in leading and advising on employee relations cases. Highlight your ability to influence and negotiate with senior leaders and stakeholders, showcasing your confidence in challenging situations.
✨Build Rapport and Trust
Since relationship management is key in this role, practice how you'll build trust with divisional leaders and trade unions. Think of ways to demonstrate your commitment to staff wellbeing, equality, and inclusion during the interview.