At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the People agenda for a vital health organisation.
- Company: Join NICE, a key player in the NHS and healthcare system.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting journey to enhance workforce capabilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by transforming People strategies.
- Qualifications: Master's level education and significant senior leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is looking for an Associate Director for People to lead and shape the organisation’s People agenda, supporting the NHS and wider health and care system. You will play a critical leadership role within the People Directorate, overseeing all People functions and driving the strategic direction of the organisation’s People strategy on behalf of the Deputy Chief People Officer. You will lead on shaping culture, vision and organisational initiatives, ensuring People services are future-ready and responsive to the evolving needs of the NHS and wider healthcare ecosystem. Working closely with senior stakeholders, including the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Board of Directors, you will provide strategic insight, updates and assurance to support informed, high-level decision-making.
You will act as the primary interface between the People function and the Deputy Chief People Officer, with delegated authority for operational delivery, continuous improvement and performance across the portfolio. In this role, you will provide leadership on risk, opportunities and delivery, while ensuring strong alignment between organisational goals and People priorities.
Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. This vacancy may be closed early if sufficient suitable applications are received, so an early application is encouraged.
Main duties of the job
- Deputise for the Deputy Chief People Officer, leading the People Directorate and ensuring excellence in delivery.
- Act as the lead People professional for the Executive Team, providing strategic leadership and insight.
- Build and lead a high-performing People team, fostering a culture of learning, innovation and accountability.
- Drive delivery of People objectives aligned to organisational strategy and future priorities.
- Oversee strategic Employee Relations, including complex case management and tribunal oversight.
- Lead the implementation of the People strategy in line with transformation and corporate goals.
- Partner with senior leaders to deliver cross-organisational People priorities and initiatives.
- Present workforce insights and People strategy updates to the Board to support decision-making.
About us
The People Directorate at NICE leads and delivers the organisation’s People strategy, shaping culture, capability and ways of working to support the health and care system. The function plays a critical role in ensuring the organisation is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the NHS and wider healthcare landscape, working closely with senior stakeholders including the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Board of Directors.
As Associate Director for People, you will provide strategic leadership across the People function, working in partnership with the Deputy Chief People Officer to support the delivery of NICE’s organisational priorities and transformation agenda. NICE is embarking on an exciting and significant journey to transform the way we work, with our workforce and people at the centre of this change from the outset.
This role will play a pivotal part in translating strategic people priorities into operational delivery across both the People function and the wider organisation. Working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, you will help drive organisational change, support workforce transformation, and embed inclusive, high-performing ways of working that enable NICE to meet future challenges and deliver public value.
We are passionate and proud of the work we do and the impact we make.
NICE offer:
- Generous NHS Pension - Secure your future with one of the most rewarding pension schemes in the UK.
- Flexible working - Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with options like remote working, compressed hours and flexible start/finish times.
- Exclusive discounts - Save on shopping, dining and more with a Blue Light Card.
- Time to recharge - Start with 27 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Inclusive staff networks - Join supportive communities like Women in NICE, Race Equality Network, Disability Advocacy and NICE and Proud - we celebrate diversity.
- Tailored development - Grow your career with personalised learning and development opportunities.
If you feel this is the type of environment you will enjoy working in, apply today!
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Educated to master’s level or equivalent, with FCIPD qualification (or equivalent experience), and evidence of recent and comprehensive CPD.
Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within the NHS or a complex public or private sector environment.
- Extensive experience leading full People functions, including Learning & Development, Employee Relations and Talent Management.
- Proven track record of acting as a deputy to Chief People Officer level and engaging with Executive and Board stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success in leading transformational People programmes aligned to organisational strategy.
- Strong experience in workforce data analysis, reporting and presenting insights to Board and Executive audiences.
- Experience of benchmarking services and driving improvements across workforce, resourcing and employee relations functions.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver effective business partnering and collaborative working across senior stakeholders.
- Significant experience leading teams, delivering outcomes and working across public/private sector environments.
Skills/Knowledge
- Strong ability to design and deliver People strategies aligned to organisational transformation and objectives.
- Advanced change management, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent organisational, communication, negotiation and presentation skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
- Ability to analyse workforce data (e.g. ESR) and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
- Ability to build effective relationships at all levels, demonstrating tact, diplomacy and a collaborative leadership style.
- Deep understanding of NHS policy, national healthcare strategy and workforce challenges.
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.
Associate Director for People in Manchester employer: Great British Energy Group
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester where you can lead transformative people strategies that directly impact the NHS and wider healthcare system. With generous benefits such as a robust NHS pension, flexible working arrangements, and tailored development opportunities, NICE fosters a culture of inclusivity and continuous learning, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in public health.
Contact Details:
Great British Energy Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director for People in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the NHS or healthcare sector. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching NICE and its People strategy. Understand their current challenges and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven change or improved team performance in previous roles. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the Associate Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the NICE team and contributing to their mission in the health and care system.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director for People in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Associate Director for People role. Highlight your leadership experience and how it relates to shaping culture and driving strategic initiatives.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you've led transformational People programmes or improved workforce functions in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can bring to NICE.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity, so don’t hesitate to express your passion for people management and your vision for the future of the NHS. This is your chance to show us who you really are!
Apply Early:Since this vacancy may close early if we receive enough suitable applications, don’t wait until the last minute. Get your application in as soon as possible through our website to ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Great British Energy Group
✨Know Your People Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into NICE's People strategy. Understand their current initiatives and how they align with the NHS's evolving needs. This will help you articulate how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your senior leadership experience, especially in complex environments. Highlight instances where you've successfully led transformational People programmes or engaged with executive stakeholders to demonstrate your capability.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Be ready to discuss how you've used workforce data analysis to drive decisions in previous roles. Presenting insights clearly and effectively will show your analytical skills and ability to support high-level decision-making.
✨Cultural Fit and Collaboration
NICE values a collaborative culture, so think about how you've fostered teamwork in past positions. Prepare to discuss how you can build relationships across various levels and contribute to an inclusive environment.
