Job Title: Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing
Band: 8C
Location: Dorset
Working Pattern: Minimum 3 days on-site (flexible service-led hybrid arrangement)
Contract: Interim / Fixed Term (9 months)
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
We are currently supporting a leading healthcare Trust in Dorset in the appointment of an Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing. This is a senior leadership opportunity within a large, complex healthcare organisation, offering the chance to shape and influence the full spectrum of People Operations, Employee Experience and Wellbeing services across a workforce of approximately 12,000 staff.
About the Role
Reporting into the Deputy Chief People Officer, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across key HR functions including:
- Resourcing and Talent Acquisition (permanent and temporary workforce)
- Employee Relations, including complex case management and policy leadership
- Occupational Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Support Services
- Medical Staffing and associated workforce functions
You will be responsible for ensuring high-performing, compliant and responsive HR services that align with Trust priorities, governance frameworks and national NHS standards. A key focus of the role is driving service improvement, transformation, and a strong Great Place to Work culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of HR operational services across a large and diverse NHS workforce
- Manage complex Employee Relations cases, including tribunals and senior medical staffing matters
- Provide expert advice on employment law, policy and organisational change
- Oversee Occupational Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Support services
- Drive workforce transformation, continuous improvement and service efficiency
- Lead policy development and ensure consistent Trust-wide application
- Manage budgets, workforce planning and cost improvement programmes
- Represent the HR function at senior governance and partnership forums
- Build strong relationships with Staff Side, senior clinicians and executive stakeholders
- Support major organisational change programmes including TUPE, restructures and redundancies
About You
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Significant senior HR leadership experience within the NHS or large complex organisation
- Strong background in Employee Relations, tribunals and medical workforce issues
- Proven experience leading Occupational Health, Wellbeing or Employee Experience functions
- Demonstrable success in managing large HR teams and operational services
- Strong understanding of NHS governance, policy and workforce frameworks
- Experience working at board or executive level with excellent stakeholder skills
- Ability to lead transformation and service improvement at scale
- Strong financial and budget management capability
Additional Information
- This role requires minimum 3 days on-site attendance across Dorset sites
- Full-time commitment (37.5 hours per week, MondayFriday)
- Must have strong NHS experience in complex ER and workforce environments
- Strong emphasis on delivery of high-quality operational HR services
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