Job Summary
37.5 hours per week
We are looking for an experienced People Business Partner to join our new senior leadership team. As a key member of our People Directorate leadership team, you will work directly to the Deputy Chief People Officer.
You’ll be the key connection between our clinical and corporate services and the People Directorate, helping to bring our new workforce strategy to life.
You’ll work independently and strategically, acting as a trusted advisor to leaders and teams within your designated business areas, to anticipate workforce themes and risks and co‑create appropriate plans and solutions that improve employee experience and support the Trust’s strategic aims.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead workforce planning and development projects.
* Use data and KPIs to support performance improvements.
* Promote fair and effective people management.
* Support leaders through change and transformation.
* Encourage diversity, inclusion, and engagement.
* Represent the People Directorate in meetings and forums.
* Analyze emerging themes, trends and risks, presenting insights to the local leadership team.
* Support critical business plans, such as employee relations processes, workforce supply plans, and risk mitigation.
* Act as conduit between the People Directorate and care groups, embedding workforce programmes to align with Trust strategy.
* Influence cultural change within services, enabling multidisciplinary conversations and co‑create solutions.
* Build stronger links across People Directorate teams, fostering collaboration.
* Provide advice on complex people issues and drive interventions.
Key Areas of Responsibility
* Increase workforce diversity and inclusivity.
* Ensure positive workforce experience from recruitment to departure.
* Deliver efficient, customer‑focused people services.
* Champion best practice people management and fair, efficient, pragmatic application of practices.
* Advise on complex people matters, ensuring risk minimization and just culture.
* Use workforce intelligence and KPIs to monitor performance, develop strategies, and support retention and absence management.
* Build internal and external networks for knowledge sharing.
* Scan for workforce or business changes influencing future workforce needs.
* Champion staff engagement and learning culture.
* Research and analysis as required.
* Act as link between care groups and People Directorate.
Qualifications
* Degree level education or equivalent through experience.
* Full CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
* Chartered member of CIPD or equivalent.
* Masters level in People Management or relevant experience.
Desirable
* Fellow CIPD registration.
* Qualification in organisational development.
Experience
* Evidence of successful project management.
* Experience developing and presenting training/learning for all staff levels.
* Senior-level experience handling complex people issues and projects.
* Experience working as part of a management team and in complex organisations.
* Experience writing, presenting, and leading on detailed information to support objectives.
Personal Attributes
* Prioritization of work and meeting tight deadlines.
* Professional judgment and autonomy.
* Stakeholder relationship building.
* Results‑oriented performance management.
* Strong customer focus and empathy with diplomacy.
* Proficiency in IT for data extraction, reports, and presentations.
* Advocate for trust values, equality, diversity, inclusion.
* Willingness to travel as needed.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake job duties and maintain satisfactory sickness record.
Special Knowledge / Skills
* Senior autonomous practitioner experience in a people function.
* Understanding of national NHS workforce agenda.
* Leadership, influence, negotiation at senior levels.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
* Analysis of workforce trends and problem-solving.
* Political awareness and stakeholder engagement.
* Attention to detail and deadline management.
* Initiative and independent decision making.
Training
* Evidence of strong CPD.
Employment Details
* Title: People Business Partner
* Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
* Band: 8a
* Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 per year
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working
* Location: Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield, WF13SP
* Reference number: C9378-QA01419
* Posted: 11 November 2025
Employer
* South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
* Address: Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield, WF13SP
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 to protect patients.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups; we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust providing comprehensive community, mental health and learning disability services across Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable populations and require all colleagues to share this commitment.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
We strongly discourage the use of AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
#J-18808-Ljbffr