People Partner - Fixed Term 12 Month (Maternity Cover)
Closing date is 29 March 2026
People Partner - Women's & Children's Services
Fixed-term 12-month maternity cover. Full-time (37.5 hours) | Hybrid working from home / office.
Join us in shaping the future of care for women, children and families. We're looking for a People Partner who believes exceptional care starts with exceptional people, and who wants to help build a positive, high‑performing culture across one of the Trust's most impactful service areas.
Women's & Children's services include maternity, neonatal, paediatrics and specialist teams – fast‑paced, emotionally rich environments where strong leadership and a supportive culture make a real difference.
In this role, you'll partner closely with leaders to strengthen workforce development, drive cultural improvement and support meaningful organisational change.
You'll be part of a forward‑thinking People Services team, with the autonomy to influence how our teams work and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the experience of families at some of the most important moments of their lives.
If you're ready to bring your expertise, creativity and leadership to a role with real purpose, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
* Strategic People Leadership – Turn the Trust's People Strategy into action for Women's & Children's services; lead OD and workforce transformation aligned to service priorities; represent People Services at senior leadership, CMG and Directorate meetings.
* Organisational Development & Culture – Deliver OD interventions that strengthen leadership, teamwork and improvement; support the Becoming the Best journey through coaching and constructive challenge; embed values‑based leadership and build an inclusive, empowering culture.
* Workforce Planning & Redesign – Develop integrated workforce plans for safe, sustainable services; use workforce data to inform redesign and innovative workforce solutions; build leaders' capability to manage and develop their teams.
* People Expertise & Employee Relations – Provide expert advice on complex employee relations issues; lead People policy development and ensure fair, consistent practice; champion equality, diversity and inclusion across the employee lifecycle.
* Leadership Development & Wellbeing – Design and deliver training that builds capability across the CMG; support wellbeing initiatives that help staff thrive; lead, coach and develop your own team.
Job responsibilities (detailed)
* Understand and translate the key drivers and challenges in the delivery of the UHL People Strategy.
* Act as an advocate of change and transformation in support of business, workforce and OD strategies and service changes.
* Attend CMG / Directorate / Executive business meetings with key stakeholders, supporting the workforce and OD transformation agenda.
* Plan, drive and provide OD support to Becoming the Best initiatives across staff groups, departments and CMG.
* Build leadership capacity and capacity of initiatives to support continuous improvement through coaching, training and facilitation.
* Challenge and change behaviours at all levels of the organisation through influencing key stakeholders.
* Provide OD expertise to support the development of values, behaviours and principles required for cultural and transformational change.
* Champion best practice People Management, influence business decisions and apply fair, efficient People policy.
* Foster a positive climate of employee relations and maintain good relationships with trade unions and professional organisations.
* Investigate and resolve complex or high‑profile employee relations issues, lead recommendations for process and people transformation.
* Develop mechanisms to inform local plans ensuring clinical and managerial leaders possess the required skills.
* Lead on the development, review and implementation of People policies and procedures, including equality impact assessment.
* Advise managers on effective implementation of People policies and support their development.
* Participate in the national, system and Trust health and wellbeing agenda, including action plans.
* Design, develop and deliver training programmes on People and OD issues.
* Hold line‑management responsibilities for staff reporting to this post, including performance assessment and personal development plans.
* Provide recruitment and retention advice within designated areas, ensuring induction is carried out appropriately.
* Participate in the Trust's performance review and personal development planning process annually.
* Undertake delegated project work, including research, project plans and implementation.
* Collaborate with the wider People Services team to ensure effective integration, knowledge sharing and seamless service delivery.
* Deputise for the People Service Leads and represent the Directorate at internal and external meetings/events.
* Adapt to evolving duties in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
* Must demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.
Training & Qualifications
* Degree level HRM qualification or equivalent experience to degree level.
* Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) or equivalent.
* All HR and OD professionals should pursue continual personal development.
Experience
* Commercial and business acumen with understanding of how high‑impact HR/OD positively influences patient experience, quality and efficiency.
* Significant HR advisory experience in a demanding environment post‑diploma.
* In-depth knowledge of UK employment legislation for complex employee relations.
* Knowledge and experience of good HR practice within a large complex organisation.
* Leadership experience in transformational change.
* Experience reviewing, producing and implementing HR policies in a unionised environment.
* OD skills and experience of designing, implementing and evaluating large‑scale change interventions.
* Managing improvement‑based projects/programmes with financial responsibility.
* Knowledge of OD theories, methodologies and tools.
* Proficient in Word, Excel, presentation and e‑mail software.
* Understanding of job evaluation methodology.
* Minimum 2 years as an OD practitioner in a complex organisation.
* Experience with QI principles is advantageous.
* Senior‑level experience in complex acute hospital environment and partnership across health and social care.
* Understanding of financial implications of change and budget management.
* Demonstrated project management skills and utilisation of development methods.
Communication and relationship skills
* Ability to handle complex, confrontational or highly emotive situations and gain engagement.
* Deliver workshops and presentations to varying intellectual levels.
* Motivate collaboration among professionals and partners to improve service outcomes.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills influencing at senior levels.
* Influencing and networking skills enabling change.
Analytical and Judgement skills
* Recognise patterns of behaviour and proactively challenge.
* Analyse data, reports, legislation effectively under pressure.
* Initiate data‑driven decision making.
* Problem solving and creative thinking; explain clearly and concisely.
* Deal with ambiguity and respond confidently.
Skills
* Work independently and as part of a team.
* Self‑motivated with a positive can‑do attitude.
* Handle stressful environments and delicate issues confidently.
* Persuade, negotiate and influence.
* Adaptable and champion change.
* Autonomous support for OD activity while maintaining stakeholder relationships.
Planning and organisation skills
* Attention to detail and accuracy.
* Robust prioritisation and meeting targets in fluctuating workload.
* Meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
* Develop new ways of working through facilitation and continuous improvement.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Demonstrate commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
* Engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership within high‑quality care.
Other requirements specific to the role
* Understanding of Confidentiality & Data Protection Act.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous convictions.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
£55,690 to £62,682 a year (per annum, pro rata)
#J-18808-Ljbffr