HR Director

HR Director (NHS)

Contract: 12 Weeks - ASAP

Location: Remote working 2 days per week, with 3 days on site at Peterborough City Hospital. (Candidates who require fully remote working can be considered).

NHS Salary Banding: Band 8c (£30.19 p/h)

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm


We are now recruiting for the role of HR Director, a key senior leadership position within the directorate. Reporting at a strategic level, this role will lead the Trust’s People Services agenda, providing visible, inspirational leadership and further strengthening and embedding high‑quality HR and workforce services.


The HR Director will play a pivotal role in delivering the ambitions of the NHS People Plan, implementing the Trust Strategy and the local People and Culture strategy, and shaping an inclusive, innovative and compassionate culture that supports both staff and patient experience.


An experienced and qualified workforce professional, you will bring energy, passion, and accountability, with a strong track record of delivering professional, effective services at pace and working collaboratively with stakeholders across the Trust to ensure excellent People Services.


Job Purpose

• Lead the People Services function within the Workforce & OD team, ensuring delivery of strategic HR objectives

• Provide high-quality, customer-focused HR services aligned to Trust priorities and performance targets

• Work collaboratively with senior HR and workforce leaders to deliver key people initiatives

• Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, employee relations, and HR business partnering services

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, national standards, and internal policies

• Act as a senior point of escalation for complex and sensitive employee relations matters

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, senior leaders, and Trade Unions

• Support organisational development and the delivery of the Trust’s People Strategy

• Deputise for the Deputy Chief People Officer, providing professional leadership across the function

• Drive effective use of resources and contribute to the achievement of operational and financial objectives

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with the Trust Executive Team, senior leaders, and Workforce & OD colleagues to deliver strategic workforce and people priorities

• Provide senior‑level HR leadership and expert advice across employee relations, workforce systems, recruitment, workforce planning, and organisational change

• Lead high‑level communication and engagement, including presenting complex or sensitive information to Boards, committees, Trade Unions, and large staff groups

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, system partners, and Trade Unions to support organisational objectives and effective collaboration

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex, sensitive, and high‑risk workforce issues, ensuring compliant, timely, and effective resolution

• Lead the development, delivery, and review of workforce and OD strategies, ensuring alignment with Trust objectives, best practice, and value for money

• Drive continuous improvement across People Services by reviewing processes, analysing performance and workforce data, and embedding efficient ways of working

• Lead the development, implementation, and review of Workforce & OD policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law, NHS standards, and organisational policies

• Oversee multiple programmes, projects, and workstreams, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales, budgets, and performance indicators

• Manage People Services resources and budgets effectively, adapting priorities to meet changing organisational and system needs

• Lead on supplier management and temporary staffing strategies, ensuring quality, compliance, and cost‑effectiveness

• Develop and present robust business cases to secure funding for strategic workforce initiatives and service improvements

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary People Services teams, fostering a high‑performance, supportive, and inclusive culture with effective supervision and appraisal

• Oversee recruitment, performance management, staff development, and learning compliance to ensure a skilled, capable workforce

• Ensure the effective management, integrity, and optimisation of HR and workforce systems (e.g. ESR, payroll, e‑rostering, recruitment systems)

• Use workforce intelligence, analytics, and reporting to inform strategic planning, performance monitoring, statutory returns, and senior decision‑making

• Ensure compliance with data protection, information governance, audit, and assurance requirements across all People Services activities

• Lead research, audit, and service improvement initiatives to enhance workforce systems, organisational effectiveness, and staff experience

• Represent the Trust at regional and national forums, contributing to wider system transformation and shared workforce priorities

Working Requirements

• The post holder will be required to work flexibly across all Trust sites and attended regional and national meetings/events as and when required including participation with the Senior Managers On-call commitment.

• The post holder must be able to travel independently and efficiently.

• The post holder must have UK and NHS experience.

• CIPD qualification is preferred, however candidates with extensive experience in a similar role with no qualification may be considered.

• Willing to provide all necessary documentation in line with NHS framework compliance –Enhanced DBS check will be required.