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 degree and significant leadership experience in People functions required.
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.
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.
NICE offers:
- 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!
To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job.
Qualifications:
- Essential: Educated to master's level or equivalent, with FCIPD qualification (or equivalent experience), and evidence of recent and comprehensive CPD.
Experience:
- Essential: 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:
- Essential: 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.
Desirable: Deep understanding of NHS policy, national healthcare strategy and workforce challenges.
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.
Associate Director for People in Manchester employer: Public Sector Resourcing CWS
NICE is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With flexible working options, generous annual leave, and a commitment to diversity through inclusive staff networks, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The opportunity to lead transformative People strategies within the NHS framework makes this role not only impactful but also rewarding for those passionate about shaping the future of healthcare.
Contact Details:
Public Sector Resourcing CWS 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 people in your industry, especially those connected to NICE. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching NICE's current projects and challenges. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their mission and is ready to contribute right away.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Associate Director for People. Highlight your leadership skills and how you can drive their People strategy forward.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
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 application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what NICE is looking for in an Associate Director for People.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role is all about leading and shaping the People agenda, don’t hold back on sharing examples of your leadership experience. Talk about how you've driven change and engaged with senior stakeholders in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for the hiring team to see your key achievements and skills. Remember, they’re looking for a strong fit quickly!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. The vacancy may close early if we receive enough suitable applications, so get yours in through our website as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Public Sector Resourcing CWS
✨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 directly contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your senior leadership experience, especially in complex environments like the NHS. Highlight your successes in leading transformational People programmes and how you've engaged with Executive and Board stakeholders.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Be ready to discuss your experience with workforce data analysis. Think of instances where you've translated data insights into actionable recommendations. This is crucial for presenting updates to the Board and supporting high-level decision-making.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build effective relationships at all levels. Prepare to discuss how you've fostered collaboration and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. This will show that you can navigate the complexities of the People function effectively.
