At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic workforce initiatives and drive organisational change in a major NHS Trust.
- Company: Join Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in healthcare innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a commitment to staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative digital agenda in one of the UK's largest NHS organisations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce strategy and patient care in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior HR experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for inclusion.
Are you an ambitious senior workforce leader ready to shape the future of people services across one of the UK's largest and most complex NHS organisations? Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) is looking for an exceptional Deputy Head of Workforce to play a pivotal role in delivering strategic workforce leadership across our corporate services, with a particular focus on the Directorate for Data, Technology and Information (DT&I). This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a major digital and organisational transformation agenda. You will be a trusted strategic HR adviser to the Chief Digital Information Officer and senior leadership teams, supporting a directorate that spans Guy's and St Thomas' and King's College Hospital NHS Trust, as well as the strategic people leadership across our GSTT Corporate Services.
In this influential role, you will help shape corporate workforce strategy, lead complex organisational change, strengthen leadership capability and use workforce intelligence to drive better decisions. You will work across organisational boundaries, partnering with senior leaders, staff-side colleagues and People Directorate specialists to deliver practical, inclusive and future-focused workforce solutions.
We are looking for someone who can combine strategic insight with operational grip. You will bring significant senior HR business partnering experience, strong organisational change expertise and the credibility to influence at executive and senior leadership level. You will be confident using workforce data, leading transformation, managing risk, developing people plans and supporting leaders through complex change. You will also play a key role in championing our values: Caring, Ambitious and Inclusive. We want someone who is passionate about creating a fair, compassionate and high-performing workplace, and who will actively support our commitments to equality, diversity, inclusion, with a focus on anti-racism. This is a role for a collaborative, resilient and forward-thinking workforce professional who wants to make a tangible difference to staff experience, service transformation and patient care.
At Guy's and St Thomas', you will be part of an organisation with a powerful clinical, academic and community reputation, deep local roots and a clear commitment to being one of the best places to work and receive care. Our corporate workforce priorities and Trust workforce strategy place a strong emphasis on visible and accountable leadership, flexible working, staff wellbeing, career development, workforce transformation and creating an organisation that reflects the communities we serve.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Influence strategic workforce decisions across corporate and hosted services
- Support one of the most significant digital transformation programmes in the NHS
- Work directly with senior leaders across two major NHS Trusts
- Lead complex organisational change and service redesign
- Use workforce intelligence to improve planning, performance and staff experience
- Champion inclusive, compassionate and values-led leadership
- Help build future-ready people services that support better outcomes for staff and patients.
In order to be successful in this role you need to be a senior HR or workforce professional with:
- Significant strategic and operational HR business partnering experience in a large, complex organisation
- Strong experience of leading organisational change, service redesign and workforce planning
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
- The ability to analyse complex workforce information and translate it into clear action
- Experience of working with senior leaders to deliver people priorities
- A strong commitment to partnership working, inclusion, anti-racism and the Trust's values
- Chartered CIPD membership, a relevant masters degree or equivalent experience, and evidence of continuing professional development.
Qualifications:
- Masters Degree in HR or equivalent experience
- MCIPD qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Essential Experience:
- Significant strategic and operational HR business partnering experience at a senior level within a large complex organisation
- Significant experience leading both organisational and cultural change
- Experience leading service redesign and workforce planning
- Experience influencing stakeholders at all levels to achieve workforce priorities
Desirable:
- Previous experience of working in an NHS acute hospital
Skills, Knowledge and Ability:
- Ability to develop and articulate a vision for people leadership and staff engagement
- Highly developed communication and negotiation skills to deliver significant programmes of change
- Advanced analytical and judgement skills, utilising complex qualitative and quantitative data
- Able to work with a high degree of flexibility, adaptability and initiative.
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.
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.
Deputy Head of Workforce in London employer: National health service
The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises patient safety and service improvement. With a strong commitment to employee development, including leadership training and apprenticeship programmes, staff are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the health of London. The Trust's inclusive culture and focus on quality management ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Workforce in London
✨Join HR Networks
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at National health service!
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We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Workforce in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at National health service. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to National health service and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at National health service. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to National health service's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with National health service.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
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A full-time HR role at National health service will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
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