Senior People Partner – Change
Closing date: 28 June 2026
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) comprises Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, operating together as a hospital group. The group provides care for approximately 900,000 people and is working to improve experiences for both patients and staff.
As we continue to operate in a group model we are undertaking several significant change programmes in support of enhanced patient care, increased productivity and alignment of services.
We are seeking a fixed‑term workforce change and transformation expert to deliver full programmes of workforce change to support the transformation of services across our hospitals.
Main duties of the job
* With strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence and credibility to work across multidisciplinary teams you will quickly build effective partnerships.
* Your excellent written and verbal communication skills will enable you to produce clear briefings, consultation papers, guidance documents and present information to a range of audiences.
* You are highly skilled at working with data and performance information, spotting themes and supporting evidence‑based decision making.
* As an highly organised individual with a strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities, you will support efficient and independent delivery of change programmes.
* Able to travel independently between hospital sites across Northamptonshire as required.
Job responsibilities
* Deliver organisational change initiatives that improve service effectiveness and efficiency, support patient pathways and strengthen the reputation of UHN as a preferred employer and provider of acute clinical services.
* Provide expert organisational change support to divisions and corporate teams, working autonomously to plan and deliver complex change initiatives and contribute to their design, that realise sustainable workforce service and benefit.
* Advise Divisional Triumvirates and Corporate Service leads and managers on organisational change strategy, consultation approaches, implementation options, risks and mitigations, ensuring delivery meets legal requirements and supports the delivery of Service and organisational priorities.
* Lead engagement, consultation and communication activity for change initiatives, facilitating groups, presenting complex proposals, producing formal documentation and supporting leaders to implement change effectively and sensitively.
* Maintain a thorough working knowledge of employment legislation and case law pertinent to organisational change and transformation, anticipate and react to the implications for working practices across UHN.
* Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time during consultation meetings, formal proceedings and the production of complex organisational change documentation. Able to work autonomously and manage a range of complex change initiatives and activities.
* Plan and organise complex activities or programmes, requiring formulation, adjustment and scheduling of broad range of change initiatives; including workforce transformation plans, consultation approaches, timelines, governance and risk management arrangements across Divisional and Corporate services.
* Manage and facilitate the effective resolution of organisational change issues and queries across Divisional and Corporate services, including clinical and non‑clinical change initiatives, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and balancing the risk of litigation against service requirements. Ensure that evidence is of the correct standard for hearings and Employment Tribunals.
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
* Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of education, training or demonstrable experience
* Level 7 CIPD or equivalent experience
* MCIPD status or equivalent experience
* Evidence of CPD
Knowledge and Experience
* Postholder is required to have in‑depth CIPD knowledge and experience of complex HR issues, including up‑to‑date employment law knowledge and changes in legislation and HR policies and procedures
* Thorough understanding of contemporary HR practices
* Senior HR experience in a large complex organisation
* Able to demonstrate commercial and business acumen and an understanding of how high‑impact HR/OD can positively impact on the patient experience, quality and efficiency agenda and organisational goals.
* Successful and significant senior HR experience in a demanding environment post diploma
* Significant knowledge of UK employment legislation in order to deal with complex employee relations issues
* Significant appreciation, knowledge and experience of good HR practice within a large complex organisation
* Experienced in reviewing, producing and implementing HR policies and procedures in a unionised environment
* Experience of managing improvement‑based projects, or supporting wider programmes, with an understanding of the financial implications of change
* Extensive experience of delivering transformational change
* Experience of HR practice in the public sector
Skills
* Excellent communication skills including the ability to convey complex information and overcome barriers to understanding
* Strong planning and project management abilities
* Can demonstrate the abilities necessary to be an effective team member
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
* Prioritisation skills with ability to manage multiple strands of work.
* Frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable, concentration required daily for analysis of information, writing reports interrupting from staff and managers that require immediate action
* All colleagues are expected to demonstrate compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high‑quality care and interactions with others
* Frequent exposure to distressing and emotional circumstances, delivering unwelcome news to staff in a range of situations such as consultations, disciplinary, grievances, redeployment, sickness absences and ill retirement.
* Excellent interpersonal skills including highly‑developed influencing, negotiating and presentation skills able to quickly build credibility and influence at all levels of the organisation
* Frequent use and manipulation of ESR reports. Responsibility for maintaining Case Databases
* Ability to manipulate and analyse data from computerised HR information systems
Key Competencies / Personal Qualities and Attributes
* Passionate and committed to bringing our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality, diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users.
* Ability to develop strong working relationships and to motivate colleagues and others.
* Track record of continuous professional development.
* Working with highly complex/sensitive information where there could be significant barriers; communication to large groups of staff, consultations; redundancies/redeployments; discussions with management re managing cases outside policy. Negotiation skills to achieve results accepted by all parties.
* Must be able to travel independently to other bases within UHN across Northamptonshire.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Salary
£57,528 to £64,750 a year pro‑rata – indicative.
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
9 months
Job locations
Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital
Address
Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital
Reference number
264-7965703-A-COR
UHN Commitment to Equality and Diversity
UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Values
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage.
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