Assistant Chief People Officer

Job Overview

37.5 hours (8 Days, Subject to AFC) Base:
Whiston Hospital with frequent travel to other sites such as Ormskirk and Southport as required. Hybrid working opportunity.

Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is embarking on an ambitious transformation of its HR Directorate. We are reshaping how workforce services are delivered, creating a service future that is digitally enabled, insight‑led and centred on employee experience.

This is a rare opportunity to join the senior leadership team at a pivotal point in our transformation journey. We are seeking an exceptional leader who is energized by change and motivated by the opportunity to build something different.

As Assistant Chief People Officer you will be a visible, credible and values‑driven leader who leads through influence, accountability and delivery. You will work with the Chief People Officer and Deputy Chief People Officers to deliver an ambitious People Strategy, organisational transformation and a modern, digitally enabled people function. You will lead transformation, create a high‑performing culture, drive performance and hold yourself and others to account by building a strong team capable of delivering sustainable improvement.

Help shape the future of people services at Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Lead a portfolio of people services, drive transformational change, develop organisational capability and deliver a modern, digitally enabled and experience‑led people function.

Influence the direction of the organisation, support the delivery of strategic priorities and help create a culture defined by accountability, inclusion, high performance and continuous improvement.

Look for an exceptional leader who thrives in complexity, combines strategic thinking with a strong focus on delivery, and has a proven ability to build high‑performing teams, lead change at scale and improve organisational performance.

• Educated to degree level and/or equivalent qualification
• MCIPD professional registration
• Master’s degree in HR Management or related qualification and/or equivalent experience
• Postgraduate qualification in specialist area e.g. leadership or equivalent experience
• Evidence of CPD

• Significant senior management experience in HR
• Evidence of managing complex human and financial resource issues
• Experience of providing a professional HR Service in a customer focused environment
• A track record of managing innovation and service improvement
• Experience of contract management and delivery
• Experience of working with and influencing senior managers and customers
• Experience of writing business plans, policies, business cases and board papers
• Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS agenda
• Demonstrable knowledge of governance requirements
• Knowledge of contract management
• Knowledge of leadership development and its impact on transformational change
• Demonstrable experience of effective change management resulting in improved outcomes
• Knowledge and understanding of the national strategic context for NHS HR services
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of NHS workforce terms and conditions of service

• Ability to act with complete independence and express highest levels of initiative
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team effectively; and to motivate staff through delegation, review and support
• Able to analyse both strategic and operational issues, provide positive and innovative solutions progressing these through at a practical level
• Highly articulate and well‑developed communication skills and interpersonal skills; advanced presentation and written skills. Excellent social skills with proficiency in managing relationships and building networks
• Ability to manage complex relationships and to gain/ negotiate successful outcomes with key stakeholders where expert opinion may differ
• IT literate and advanced working knowledge and computer proficiency of all Microsoft Office
• Able to demonstrate impact and proactive customer relationship building, with the ability to respect, influence and motivate a range of stakeholders to deliver continuous improvement in services
• Highly developed problem solving, analytical and interpretive skills
• Strategic and business planning approach to delivery and development of services

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity and respect for all individuals. We welcome all applicants irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and under‑represented groups. We are committed to offering an interview to all disabled applicants and all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job.