Band 8c Associate Director of HR

Job Title:
Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing
Band: 8C
Location:
Dorset
Working Pattern:
Minimum 3 days on-site (flexible service‑led hybrid arrangement)
Contract:
Interim / Fixed Term (9 months)
Start Date: ASAP
Hours:
Full time (37.5 hours per week)

We are currently supporting a leading healthcare Trust in Dorset in the appointment of an Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing
. This is a senior leadership opportunity within a large, complex healthcare organisation, offering the chance to shape and influence the full spectrum of People Operations, Employee Experience and Wellbeing services across a workforce of approximately 12,000 staff.

Reporting into the Deputy Chief People Officer, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across key HR functions including:

• Resourcing and Talent Acquisition (permanent and temporary workforce)
• Employee Relations, including complex case management and policy leadership
• Occupational Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Support Services
• Medical Staffing and associated workforce functions

You will be responsible for ensuring high‑performing, compliant and responsive HR services that align with Trust priorities, governance frameworks and national NHS standards. A key focus of the role is driving service improvement, transformation, and a strong “Great Place to Work” culture.

• Lead the delivery of HR operational services across a large and diverse NHS workforce
• Manage complex Employee Relations cases, including tribunals and senior medical staffing matters
• Provide expert advice on employment law, policy and organisational change
• Oversee Occupational Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Support services
• Drive workforce transformation, continuous improvement and service efficiency
• Lead policy development and ensure consistent Trust‑wide application
• Manage budgets, workforce planning and cost improvement programmes
• Represent the HR function at senior governance and partnership forums
• Build strong relationships with Staff Side, senior clinicians and executive stakeholders
• Support major organisational change programmes including TUPE, restructures and redundancies

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Significant senior HR leadership experience within the NHS or large complex organisation
• Strong background in Employee Relations, tribunals and medical workforce issues
• Proven experience leading Occupational Health, Wellbeing or Employee Experience functions
• Demonstrable success in managing large HR teams and operational services
• Strong understanding of NHS governance, policy and workforce frameworks
• Experience working at board or executive level with excellent stakeholder skills
• Ability to lead transformation and service improvement at scale
• Strong financial and budget management capability

• This role requires minimum 3 days on‑site attendance across Dorset sites
• Full-time commitment (37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday)
• Must have strong NHS experience in complex ER and workforce environments
• Strong emphasis on delivery of high‑quality operational HR services

Applications: