HR & Assistant Practice Manager

We are seeking an experienced and motivated HR Lead & Assistant Practice Manager to join our friendly, high-performing GP Practice. This is a key leadership role combining expert HR management with operational support to ensure the smooth running of the practice. We offer comprehensive NHS primary care services serving 23,000 patients and work in a purpose-built state of the art premises in a lovely part of London, within the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth.

You will lead on all HR matters, including recruitment, employee relations, workforce compliance, and policy development, while also supporting the Practice Manager with day-to-day operations, staff rotas, patient services, and CQC compliance. This role is ideal for someone with strong HR expertise, excellent organisational skills, and a passion for supporting staff and improving patient care.

You will support the smooth running of SJWMP by leading the HR function while also assisting with operational management. This role ensures SJWMP remains compliant with employment law, NHS contractual requirements, and CQC workforce standards. The postholder provides expert HR advice, manages and supports partners, managers, and clinical teams by providing expert HR advice, leading recruitment, managing employee relations, and driving a positive, safe, and inclusive culture.

The following are the core responsibilities. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

• Lead the HR function for the practice, ensuring compliance with UK employment law, ACAS guidance, NHS standards, and CQC requirements.
• Provide expert advice to GP Partners and the Practice Manager on employee relations, workforce planning, and organisational development.
• Manage complex employee relations cases including sickness, performance, grievances, and disciplinary matters.
• Maintain up-to-date HR policies and ensure consistent implementation across the practice.
• Support equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Manage recruitment for all clinical and non-clinical roles, including job design, advertising, shortlisting, and interviewing.
• Ensure all pre-employment checks meet NHS and CQC standards (DBS, right to work, references, immunisations).
• Oversee induction, probation, and mandatory training compliance.
• Maintain accurate personnel files and ensure GDPR compliance.
• Assist the Practice Manager with day-to-day operational management of the practice.
• Assist with rota planning, staffing levels, and ensuring adequate clinical and administrative cover.
• Support the management of premises, health & safety, and infection control processes.
• Contribute to business continuity planning and operational problem solving.
• Assist with patient experience initiatives, complaints handling, and communication processes.
• Support the Practice Manager with reporting requirements (e.g., NHS England, ICB, PCN).
• Oversee sickness reporting and workforce returns.
• Maintain HR systems.
• Ensure compliance with CQC Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) relating to staffing, training, and workforce governance.
• Prepare HR metrics and reports for Partners and management meetings.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture.
• Lead wellbeing initiatives and support staff experiencing stress or burnout.
• Facilitate team meetings, communication updates, and engagement activities.
• Coordinate mandatory and role-specific training.
• Support appraisals, PDPs, and revalidation processes for clinical staff.
• Identify training needs and recommend development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law
• Experience managing complex HR cases
• Experience in a regulated environment
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 (or working towards)

Experience

• Experience of working within the NHS.

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to provide quality care
• Good interpersonal and communication skills

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.