Job overview
HEIW is seeking an experienced and influential senior leader to join us as Assistant Director of Strategic Workforce Planning. This is a key national role, providing expert leadership across NHS Wales to shape a sustainable workforce through evidence-led planning that responds to current and future service, population and policy needs.
The successful candidate will lead national workforce planning, using workforce intelligence, forecasting, modelling and horizon scanning to anticipate future workforce requirements and support transformation across national, regional and organisational levels.
The successful candidate will lead the development of strategic and operational workforce planning approaches, using workforce intelligence, forecasting, modelling and horizon scanning to support transformation across national, regional and organisational levels. Working closely with Welsh Government, NHS Wales organisations and wider partners, they will help build workforce planning capability and provide high-quality advice to senior leaders on complex workforce challenges and opportunities.
We are looking for someone with substantial senior-level experience in strategic workforce planning, workforce transformation or a related field, with strong analytical, communication and influencing skills. This is an excellent opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future NHS Wales workforce and supporting high-quality, sustainable care for the people of Wales.
Main duties of the job
- Provide expert strategic workforce planning advice, insight and direction to HEIW and NHS Wales.
- Lead the development of national workforce planning approaches, guidance and methodologies.
- Use horizon scanning, workforce intelligence, forecasting, modelling and scenario planning to inform workforce decisions.
- Shape future workforce models across NHS Wales to support sustainable services and transformation.
- Anticipate workforce risks, supply challenges and future skills needs using evidence and data.
- Support the production of operational and strategic workforce plans for professions and services across NHS Wales.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure workforce information and analysis informs service planning, transformation and education commissioning.
- Represent HEIW in national forums and provide senior leadership across workforce planning, intelligence, capacity and capability building.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of operating at a senior level within a complex organisation or system
- Significant experience of leading complex strategic programmes or portfolios involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, organisational change and delivery through influence as well as direct management
- Proven track record of developing strategic workforce plans, workforce strategies or major workforce transformation programmes at organisational, regional or national level
- Experience of applying workforce intelligence, management information and evidence to support strategic planning, decision-making and assurance
- Experience of working with senior professional, clinical and managerial colleagues and building effective partnerships across organisational boundaries
- Experience of working closely and effectively with trade union representatives and professional bodies
- Experience of preparing reports, presenting complex information and providing advice or recommendations to senior groups, Boards, Committees or national stakeholders
- Experience of providing strategic oversight and accountability for complex programmes, including governance, assurance, risk, resources, outcomes and value for money
- Experience of budgetary management, budget setting and effective resource management
- Experience of line management, staff development and supporting high standards of performance
Desirable
- Experience of designing, developing or implementing effective HR, workforce information or workforce planning systems
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Master’s degree level qualification or equivalent significant experience
- Specialist knowledge in strategic workforce planning, workforce transformation or a related post graduate qualification in Strategic Workforce Planning
- CIPD qualification and membership, or willingness to achieve within two years of appointment
- Highly developed knowledge of strategic workforce planning, workforce intelligence, capacity and capability building, service improvement and change management
- Strong understanding of the strategic, political, policy and social context affecting workforce planning and service delivery across NHS Wales
Desirable
- Accredited coach at post-graduate diploma level, or equivalent coaching experience at senior or executive level.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Assistant Director of Strategic Workforce Planning with Health Education and Improvement Wales in Ty Dysgu. It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £80698.00 to £92984.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 07 Sep 2026.
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