Head of Pay & Employment Services Hub in Leicester

Are you ready to lead the transformation of employment services in one of the UK's largest NHS Trusts? We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to head our integrated Employment Services Hub, driving innovation and excellence in pay, pensions, and benefits for our diverse workforce.

People we are looking for:

• Holds an IPPM Diploma or equivalent postgraduate qualification, with advanced theoretical knowledge of payroll.
• Has extensive, up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation, HR best practice, and proven experience managing payroll services.
• Demonstrates excellent communication, leadership, and change management skills.
• Is adept at contract management, analysis of complex data, and problem-solving.
• Shows commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
• Is robust, adaptable, and able to manage a demanding workload with competing priorities.

Main duties of the job:

• Lead the transition to a modern, technology-driven Employment Services Hub, ensuring efficient, customer-focused service delivery.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to Operational People Services and Pay Services, maximizing efficiency and performance.
• Manage a significant budget and oversee multiple contracts, including external payroll, expenses, and benefits providers.
• Develop and implement policies, service improvements, and business cases for future investment.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, NHS policies, and audit standards.
• Act as the Trust's expert on pay, pensions, and benefits, providing guidance and assurance on best practices and regulations.
• Foster a team-based culture focused on professionalism, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.

About us:

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals: high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence. We will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

Person Specification:

• Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours: Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.
• Training & Qualifications: IPPM Diploma or post grad diploma level of equivalent experience; Advanced theoretical knowledge of payroll acquired through qualification or experience.
• Experience: Have extensive up to date knowledge of employment legislation, terms and conditions of employment and HR best practice; Proven experience of managing and delivering a payroll service; Contract management of an external payroll provider.
• Communication and relationship skills: Excellent communication skills, to be able to communicate at all levels with a professional and non-bias manner, and be able to liaise, advise and interact as appropriate, with staff at all levels within and external to the Trust; Proven ability to develop professional working relationships with all stakeholders; Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate a team, along with the ability to apply change management.
• Analytical and Judgement skills: Ability to deal with highly complex organisational issues and make recommendations; Ability to complete analysis of complex data/reports/legislation effectively despite frequent interruptions needing immediate attention; Use initiative and analysis of data to inform decision making; Problem solving and creative thinking skills with the ability to explain things in a clear and concise way; Ability to deal with ambiguity and respond confidently with matters that do not fall within previous experience/remit.
• Skills: Advanced keyboard skills; Ability to write and present committee papers; Attention to detail and accuracy; Planning and organisation skills; Ability to plan over short and long term timescales and tolerate high levels of uncertainty; Robust, with the ability to balance priorities and meet personal and departmental targets with a fluctuating and demanding workload; Ability to work to tight deadlines and to manage a large number of conflicting and frequently changing priorities; Ability to develop new ways of working using planning, facilitation, collaboration and capacity planning and continuous improvement skills.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs. All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others.
• Other requirements specific to the role: On site presence; Ability to travel to different sites; Disclosure and Barring Service Check.