An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and professional Deputy Head of Recruitment who will provide management and leadership to the Recruitment teams across the Luton and Bedford sites. This is a senior strategic role, leading on the attraction and recruitment of talent aligned to meet the Trusts strategic objectives. This is a 12 month fixed term or secondment opportunity to cover maternity leave. Main duties of the job The post holder will assist in developing the overall strategy for recruitment and retention for the Trust ensuring that the recruitment teams work cohesively to deliver an effective recruitment service. The strategic objective being to support the Trust to reduce agency spend by ensuring an effective pipeline of recruits to vacancies. As a member of the HR senior management team, the post holder will play an integral part in delivering the Trusts People Plan priorities and operationalising corporate objectives. About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Job responsibilities • Responsible for contributing to and implementing the Trusts recruitment strategy with an aim to reducing the reliance on temporary staffing in line with the Trusts longer-term goals and objectives. • Plan and deliver the Recruitment & Retention Strategy required to deliver the key organisational, business and clinical plans. This will reflect future needs of the service(s), future skills shortage areas, demographic changes and the need for skill mix review. Person Specification Qualifications • Educated to Masters level or equivalent • CIPD qualified or equivalent level of experience Experience Essential • Experience of working in a complex, multi-sited organisation • Significant HR/Recruitment experience in a large complex, unionised organisation preferably within the NHS. • In depth experience of leading and managing an operational team and processes to tight deadlines • Understanding of HR practices and employment law related to recruitment best practice and immigration legislation • Highly developed specialist knowledge of Recruitment, Selection and best practice including NHS Employers Standards and terms and conditions of employment • Significant experience of recruitment planning and delivery Desirable • Experience of using NHS Workforce systems (e.g. ESR, Allocate systems). • Experience of budget management Knowledge & Skills Essential • Comprehensive understanding of national policy and strategic frameworks in the NHS relating to workforce • Leadership skills with a strong focus on timely delivery of outcomes and achievements • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others outside of own area and communicate complex or sensitive information to individuals or groups • Significant experience and ability in analysis and interpretation of numerical/ statistical workforce data • Strong analytical skills and ability to analyse and present complex information Desirable • Project management skills • Knowledge and understanding of the wider NHS Agenda