Job overview
Are you ready to influence the workforce, for the future of the NHS?
Join our dynamic team as the lead for recruitment and retention services, playing a pivotal role in shaping our workforce. You'll ensure a seamless and professional recruitment process, guiding recruiting managers, employees, applicants, and candidates. You will be pivotal in organising engaging open days and assessment centers, and provide expert advice on registration and training.
You will work closely with the Heads of Nursing, Recruiting Managers, and Service Leads to bring their workforce plans to life, driving recruitment and retention strategies. Your support will be key in meeting KPI targets for our Recruitment and Retention strategy and Safecare programme.
You will be a vital clinical presence in ward areas, supporting new candidates and maintaining NMC registration standards.
You will collaborate with the safer care lead to integrate the safe care tool for efficient workforce management. You will partner with the education team and external stakeholders to ensure we are innovating in our methods of recruitment and retention projects.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on our organisation’s recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring we continue to provide exceptional care with a dedicated and well-supported team.
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS Sussex NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
Main duties of the job
In this role,
1. You will lead a comprehensive recruitment and retention service, ensuring timely and professional recruitment for Recruiting Managers, Employees, Applicants, and Candidates.
2. You will organise and oversee open days and assessment centres, providing expert advice on registration and training while monitoring progress and retention rates.
3. You will work closely with the Head of Nursing, Recruiting Managers, and Service Leads to deliver workforce recruitment business plans and implement retention strategies.
4. You will support the Head of Nursing in meeting KPI targets related to the Recruitment and Retention strategy and the Safecare program for the Trust.
5. You will support the development and implementation of SNCT across the trust
6. As a clinical presence in ward areas, you will support new candidates.
7. You will also collaborate with the Head of Nursing to analyse the use of bank and agency staff and roster usage in clinical areas, ensuring KPI outcomes are met.
8. You will work closely with the safer care lead to embed the safe care tool within the organization.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop.
We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
In this role,
9. You will lead a comprehensive recruitment and retention service, ensuring timely and professional recruitment for Recruiting Managers, Employees, Applicants, and Candidates.
10. You will organise and oversee open days and assessment centers, providing expert advice on registration and training while monitoring progress and retention rates.
11. You will work closely with the Head of Nursing, Recruiting Managers, and Service Leads to deliver workforce recruitment business plans and implement retention strategies.
12. You will support the Head of Nursing in meeting KPI targets related to the Recruitment and Retention strategy and the Safecare program for the Trust.
13. As a clinical presence in ward areas, you will support new candidates.
14. You will also collaborate with the Head of Nursing to analyse the use of bank and agency staff and roster usage in clinical areas, ensuring KPI outcomes are met.
15. You will work closely with the safer care lead to embed the safe care tool within the organization.
Please see job description for full details.
Person specification
Experience / Qualifications
Essential criteria
16. Registered Nurse/Midwifery degree/equivalent
17. Master’s degree or equivalent experience/qualification
18. Highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of resourcing and recruitment processes and best practice acquired through a combination of in-depth experience
19. Knowledge of NHS jobs, Health Jobs. TRAC or equivalent e -recruitment systems, ESR
20. Experience delivering creative and innovative recruitment initiatives
Desirable criteria
21. Management qualification or working towards.
22. Professional Nurse Advocate qualification or coaching qualification
23. Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.
24. Experience in Management Position
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
25. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
26. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications