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We are proud to provide 'Outstanding' care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people's own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated 'Outstanding' and Eastbourne DGH was rated 'Good'. Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Job overview
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to join our senior leadership team as Deputy Director of People – HR Operations & Workforce Services.
Reporting to the Director of People, this role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across key workforce functions, including:
* Employee Relations
* HR Business Partnering
* Resourcing & Medical Staffing
* Occupational Health & Wellbeing
You will ensure the delivery of high‑performing, innovative, and customer‑focused services that meet statutory requirements, NHS standards, and best practice.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
* Provide senior leadership and performance management across all HR operational services.
* Contribute to strategic direction and policy development, particularly in relation to People policies and procedures.
* Interpret and apply employment legislation, ensuring compliance and best practice across the Trust.
* Lead organisational change programmes and workforce transformation initiatives.
* Champion staff engagement, health, and wellbeing, and role‑model values‑based leadership across the Trust and Integrated Care System (ICS).
* Build capability within the People Directorate, setting and maintaining high standards for service delivery.
* Collaborate with senior managers, Executive and Non‑Executive Directors, and ICSpartners to deliver workforce strategies aligned with the Trust's objectives.
* Support the development and implementation of the People Strategy, ensuring alignment with ESHT's vision, regional priorities, and national workforce objectives.
* Act as a strategic communication link between Divisions, Operational Services, and external organisations to promote collaboration and consistency.
* Champion a coaching style of leadership, fostering empowerment and engagement across clinical and non‑clinical teams.
* Ensure clinical, staff, and stakeholder engagement is embedded in decision‑making processes and organisational change initiatives.
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto‑enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries, staff restaurants and accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI‑generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.
Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.
We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI‑generated content may diminish your chance of success.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached.
If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development or equivalent experience
* Educated to Masters degree level qualification or proven equivalent at senior leadership level.
* Evidence of leadership development and proven ability to perform at this level
* Extensive knowledge and expertise across a number of HR subject areas
* Evidence of substantial continuing professional and personal development, including professional management training, strategic planning and performance, people management, budget management and service development
Experience
Essential criteria
* Significant HR generalist experience at a senior management level, including ER, and Recruitment interventions.
* Extensive experience working at a senior management level in a health or social care organisation.
* Experience of leading a workforce resourcing function within a complex organisation, including recruitment, retention
* Considerable experience of developing and applying HR strategies, employment law and policies.
* Proven experience of successful achievement of leading change across services, involving and supporting teams and individuals to achieve objectives.
* Significant experience of working with local partners in changing services.
* Working successfully with stakeholders, including staff, in a consensual but decisive manner
* Managing significant budgets and achievement of recurrent efficiency savings
Skills
Essential criteria
* Excellent verbal and written communication. Track record of meeting competing priorities and delivering under pressure.
* Strategic and business planning – able to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively and gain agreement to relevant plans and to implement plans through service delivery.
* Good IT skills – understanding of how to use technology to support delivery of improvements to services.
* Excellent presentation skills – presents concepts and ideas clearly engaging the audience.
* Ability to work systematically, effective planning and prioritisation.
* Ability to effectively provide and receive complex information which may require analysis and interpretation and develop solutions if required.
* Full driving licence – role requires travel around rural areas across East Sussex
Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
Our vision is to be:
* The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex.
Our mission is to:
* Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.
Our strategic objectives are to:
* Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
* Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients' experiences.
* Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.
Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are:
* Safe
* Effective
* Caring
* Responsive
* Well led
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
* Deputy Director of People - Operational Services (PDF, 224.6KB)
* Guidance for Applicants - AFC (PDF, 152.4KB)
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