Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
Director of People
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For an informal conversation regarding the role, please contact Charlotte Winterburn, Executive Assistant, who will be able to facilitate discussions with Brent Kilmurray, Chief Executive.
Call: 01924 543617
About the role
Shape the future workforce of one of Yorkshire’s largest NHS organisations
We are seeking an exceptional workforce leader to join us as Director of People.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this Board-facing leadership role represents a unique opportunity to lead workforce strategy, workforce planning and workforce services across an organisation employing approximately 10,000 staff and serving communities across Wakefield, Pontefract, Dewsbury and beyond.
As the Trust’s most senior workforce professional, you will provide expert advice and assurance to the Chief Executive, Trust Board and Executive Team on some of the most complex workforce challenges facing the NHS. You will oversee a broad portfolio including workforce business partnering, employee relations, recruitment, workforce planning, workforce information and strategic workforce programmes.
With experience operating at a senior organisational level, influencing strategic decision-making and leading large-scale workforce initiatives, you will be well placed to make a significant impact in this role. If you are excited by the opportunity to shape workforce strategy and lead transformation across a complex NHS organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday 18 August
Interview and assessment dates: Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 September
Main duties
This is a role for a leader who combines operational credibility with strategic vision. You will play a central role in shaping the Trust’s operational workforce strategy, supporting transformation and financial recovery, strengthening workforce sustainability and ensuring our organisation remains a great place to work and deliver care.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Act as the Trust's highest professional authority on workforce operations, workforce planning and employment matters.
- Lead workforce contributions to organisational transformation, financial recovery and service redesign programmes.
- Lead the development and implementation of workforce components of the Trust operating plan.
- Lead the development, implementation and review of organisation-wide workforce policies, strategies and frameworks which have significant impact across all staff groups and services.
- Responsible for strategic management of workforce services budgets.
- Act as the Trust lead for strategic partnership working with recognised Trade Unions and professional bodies.
- Lead highly complex negotiations and consultations relating to organisational change, workforce transformation and employee relations matters.
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About You
Essential person specification requirements
- Significant senior workforce leadership experience within a large and complex NHS organisation.
- A track record of advising Boards, Executive Teams and senior leaders.
- Experience of leading workforce strategy, workforce planning and organisational transformation.
- Strong employee relations and partnership working credentials.
- The ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity and competing priorities with confidence and integrity.
- A collaborative leadership style and a commitment to developing high-performing teams.
Qualifications
- Master's degree or equivalent experience; Chartered Fellow of the CIPD; evidence of continuing professional development.
- Evidence of ongoing management and leadership development.
Knowledge and awareness
- Expert knowledge of NHS workforce policy, employment law, Agenda for Change, workforce planning, governance and workforce analytics.
Skills And Abilities
- Board-level influencing; strategic leadership; negotiation; workforce modelling; complex analysis; policy interpretation; balancing competing priorities.
Personal attributes
- Politically astute; credible; resilient; collaborative leadership style; integrity; strong influencing skills.
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
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We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application Guidance
We understand that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
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Our Benefits
- Access to the NHS pension plan
- Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
- Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
- Extensive benefits and support, including:
- Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
- Home electronics scheme
- Cycle to work scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
- Car lease salary sacrifice scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
- Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
- Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
- Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
- Career progression, training and support
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