Job overview
East London NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an exceptional and experienced HR professional to join our People & Culture team as Senior People Business Partner for Luton and Bedfordshire.
This is a six-month opportunity to provide senior strategic and operational People Business Partner support across Luton and Bedfordshire. Working in close partnership with Executives, Service Directors, senior operational leaders and People Business Partners, you will translate our People & Culture strategy into meaningful workforce plans, service priorities and practical interventions that support high-quality care, strong staff engagement and sustainable organisational performance.
Main duties of the job
As a senior member of the People & Culture function, you will provide expert strategic and operational workforce advice across a broad portfolio. This will include workforce planning, organisational change, service development, workforce transformation, employee relations, leadership development, staff engagement, wellbeing, recruitment, retention and cost improvement.
You will use workforce intelligence, staff experience data and business insight to identify priorities, influence decision-making and support senior leaders to deliver effective, values-led solutions. You will also lead and support organisational development and change interventions, helping managers and teams to build capability, improve performance and create positive working environments.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are seeking a confident, credible and collaborative senior HR professional who can operate at both strategic and operational levels. You will bring significant experience of HR business partnering, a strong understanding of employment legislation and NHS workforce priorities, and the ability to influence and coach senior leaders through complex people issues. Experience of organisational development, workforce planning, change management and working effectively with staff-side representatives will be essential.
You will be joining a values-driven Trust with a strong commitment to staff engagement, inclusion, continuous improvement and compassionate leadership. This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact across Luton and Bedfordshire services, supporting leaders and teams to deliver excellent care while strengthening our workforce for the future.
If you are an experienced and forward-thinking People professional who can establish credibility quickly, provide expert advice to senior leaders and deliver meaningful workforce support during a defined period of cover, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
- Experience of leading, coaching and building capability in an HR Shared Services
- Significant experience in progressively more responsible positions in human resources, preferably in a similar sector.
- Significant experience of working in the niche Medical HR Field
- Extensive experience of working alongside trade unions and professional organisation in change management, negotiation and mediation situations.
- Experience of formalised workforce policy and planning approaches
- Significant experience of numerical analysis.
- In-depth knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and procedures
- Strong effective communicator in writing, business presentations and in interpersonal communication.
Knowledge/Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of strategy development theory and practice and the confidence to contribute to this locally
- Full range of operational and strategic skills at a senior HR level
- Familiarity with budget management and able to contribute to Directorate financial plans from a workforce perspective
- Intermediate level in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of and proficiency in workforce planning
- In depth knowledge of employment law and relevant case law.
- Knowledge of best practice facilitation and negotiating skills
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data and present this to senior colleagues.
- Extensive working knowledge of NHS pay and reward systems
- Successfully influences a broad spectrum of people, highlighting benefits, finding alternatives and gaining commitment at a senior level.
- Builds productive working relationships and strategic partnerships with a range of stakeholders at a senior level, demonstrating self-awareness, perception and a collaborative approach
- Embraces accountability, demonstrates on going resilience and the highest levels of integrity and professionalism
Educational/Qualification
Essential
- Degree Level Education or equivalent experience
- Post graduate Diploma or MSC in HR or equivalent experience
- Chartered Member of the CIPD
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior People Business Partner with East London NHS Foundation Trust in Luton and Bedfordshire. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 per annum. The contract type is Fixed term: 6 months (FTC/Secondments will be welcomed for this post.). The application deadline is 30 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (17 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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