Associate Director of People

Job overview

A rare opportunity for an experienced senior HR leader to shape the future of People Services in a values driven NHS Trust.

As Associate Director of People Services, you will strengthen how we support and empower our workforce. You will lead People Relations and People Business Partnering, overseeing complex, high risk casework, shaping employment policy, and embedding a restorative, just and inclusive culture.

This role suits someone who thrives in complexity, brings calm and credibility and balances strategic leadership with hands on expertise. You will work closely with Executive leaders, clinical divisions, trade unions and senior managers, providing trusted advice on sensitive, legally complex and reputational matters.

You will be emotionally intelligent, values led and resilient, able to influence at senior level while staying mindful of the human impact of people decisions.

Why work with us?

You will join a supportive leadership environment where your expertise is trusted, your voice is valued and your impact is visible. We value autonomy, psychological safety, ethical decision making and professional growth, alongside high standards and accountability.

This is a role for someone who wants to shape strategy, lead cultural change and make a lasting impact.

Stakeholder session and formal interview: The stakeholder session will be held before the formal interview. The formal interview is provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 4 March 2026 (subject to confirmation).

Main duties of the job

About the role

As Associate Director of People Services, you will:

• Provide senior strategic leadership for the Trust’s people relations agenda • Lead complex and high-risk case management, including Employment Tribunals • Champion a restorative, just and learning culture across the organisation • Lead and develop our People Business Partners and Head of People Relations • Shape employment policy and governance at Trust level • Provide expert advice to Executive Directors and senior leaders • Oversee workforce planning and divisional people strategies • Strengthen data-led decision making and performance reporting • Act as nominated deputy to the Deputy Director of People

This role sits at the heart of our organisational culture and risk governance, making it a rare opportunity to influence strategy, practice and leadership at scale.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Associate Director of People Services is a senior leadership role within the People Division, providing strategic leadership across People Relations and People Business Partnering.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of People, the post holder will lead the Trust’s people relations agenda, ensuring high-quality, legally compliant and compassionate people practices that support workforce wellbeing, organisational performance and patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust-wide People Relations function, providing oversight of complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals • Act as a trusted senior advisor to Executive Directors, clinical leaders and senior managers • Lead and develop the People Business Partnering service, ensuring divisions are supported strategically and consistently • Champion a restorative, just and inclusive culture across the organisation • Lead employment policy development and ensure compliance with employment law, ACAS and NHS guidance • Provide governance, assurance and reporting on people relations risks and trends to senior leadership and committees • Lead organisational change programmes in partnership with trade unions and stakeholders • Line manage the Head of People Relations and People Business Partners, supporting high performance and development • Use people data and insight to inform workforce planning and decision-making • Deputise for the Deputy Director of People as required

This role requires a senior HR professional with strong employee relations expertise, high emotional intelligence and the credibility to operate at Board and system level.