About this role
Job summary
The Director of People and OD plays a pivotal role in enabling the delivery of the highest standard of health care to our patients, families and loved ones, through the creation of a progressive organisational culture, legally compliant employment relations landscape and an environment where staff and volunteers can thrive.
Main duties of the job
Working collaboratively with Executive Directors, this post will lead the delivery of our three year and ten-year People strategy that increases psychological safety, drives workforce engagement and ensures a sustainable, skilled and resilient workforce capable of meeting future organisational demands.
Championing our values,shared visionand building a One Willen cultureis key to the role;with responsiblyfor influencing the development of a culture characterised by our core values of Inclusion, Compassion, Ambition, Respect and Excellence and driving employee engagement, Health and Wellbeing and Diversity, Equality and inclusion practices.
Promoting highly effective working practices that drive exceptional performance, whilst remaining sensitive to differences in focus and emphasis between areas of the organisation.
Working across organisational boundaries and with other providers and stakeholders, driving opportunities around harmonisation,simplificationand efficiencies.
As the professional lead for People Services (HR, Volunteer Management and Learning & Organisational Development), the post holder will ensure that the organisation is supported by a high performing People Services function that delivers customer-focused support and value for money.
About us
Willen Hospice provides outstanding specialist palliative and end-of-life care to the people of Milton Keynes. We are a values-led organisation at every level and we are now looking for an exceptional Director of People & OD to join our Executive team at a pivotal moment in our history.
Milton Keynes is growing fast. We are responding with ambition: a 2035 Strategic Framework is being developed right now by the Executive team, and the incoming Director of People & OD will own a significant part of that work. This is a role with genuine reach and real strategic weight.
What it feels like to work here:
There are not many jobs where the work you do genuinely changes how people experience the end of their lives. At Willen Hospice, however, this is something you feel from your first week. Our staff and volunteers carry a quiet sense of purpose that shapes how they show up, how they treat each other, and how they approach even the hardest days.
As a member of the Executive team, you will feel that too. Leaders here are held to the same standards that we ask of everyone else. Purpose is not a backdrop. It is the point.
Job description Job responsibilities
Key Accountabilities:
1. Organisational Leadership
1.1 Promotes the vision, values and strategic objectives of the organisation by being a role model and ambassador, both internally and externally.
2 Provide expert advice and guidance to Board Members and the Executive team in the field of HR and OD.
3 Participate fully in collective decision making and be accountable for the achievement of organisational objectives.
4 Reflect and promote the organisations values in all activities and take an active role in the promotion ofdiversity,equality and inclusion,in the delivery of services and the development of the workforce.
5 Support the Chair in the establishment of effective arrangements for recruitment, selection, induction, appraisal and development for Board members and Directors.
6 Establish effective networks and partnerships to enable the organisations to continuously improve and be well-informed by best practice.
7 Maintain good corporate governance and embrace high standards of employment practice and act in accordance with the Hospice values.
2. Strategy and Organisational Development
2.1 Lead the development and implementation of effective Organisational Development, People Management and Learning&Developmentstrategies to support the Hospices vision, positioning the organisation as an employer of choice in Milton Keynes.
2.2 Facilitate high quality leadership through designing,commissioningand delivering effective leadership and management development programmes and structured coaching and mentoring interventions.
2.3Set the strategic direction for volunteering, embedding a high-quality, inclusive volunteer experience that supports organisational outcomes and community impact.
2.4Ensure succession planning and talent management processes, which create a pipeline of excellent leaders and managers across all disciplines. Enable employees to achieve theiroptimumpotential, through recognising and supporting high achievement and thereby contributing to a performance culture.
2.5Lead organisation design and development, ensuring fit for purpose structures and skill mix and effective change management. Challenge conventional approaches to drive forward change,demonstratinga commitment to a learning organisational culture and the delivery of continuous improvement.
3.0People Service Delivery
3.1Provide strong and effective leadership of the People Services Team inspiring them witha clear visionand direction for the performance and delivery of services and ensuring that the teams are positive,pro-activeand influential in contributing to Willen Hospices strategic and operational planning processes.
3.2Support the Head of People Services to ensure all operational People Services processes are delivered effectively to meet the organisational need and in support of our internal customers.
3.3Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives and programmes and activities designed to enhance workplace health and wellbeing.
3.4Provide support to the PeopleServicesteam in the delivery of people-related organisational wide projects in support of agreed strategies.
3.5Ensure that the relevant statutory,regulatoryand professional standards are achieved in relation to OD and People Services policies,processesand procedures, particularly in respect of safe employment, informationgovernanceand employment legislation.
3.6Ensure the organisation leverages volunteering as a strategic asset, with robust frameworks for recruitment, development, engagement, and recognition.
4.0Workforce Planning,Information andProductivity
4.1Ensure that the Board,the ExecutiveTeamand Senior Leadership Team receiveaccurateandtimelyinformation, including progress against agreed KPIs.
4.2Prepare workforce plans, which align with overall clinical and financial strategies and support the organisational performance management systems.
4.3Exploit the full potential of information technology to deliver people management, workforceintelligenceand OD services of the highest calibre.
5.0Equality and Diversity
5.1Champion the organisations commitment toDiversity,EqualityandInclusion,developing active commitment from all teams to the need to ensure equality of opportunity and the benefits of diversity.
5.2Recognise the responsibilities under equality and diversity legislation promoting the organisations diversity policies and fostering an environment in which difference is valued.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
We are interested in experience gained in a wide variety of organisations. In addition, we require: Proven experience of working at a strategic level, leading high performing People teams to develop and deliver measurable and positive impact to the business Demonstrable strategic thinking and results driven approach with an ability to convert strategic vision into clear and measurable outcomes Excellent communication, both written and verbal, facilitation and influencing skills, with the ability to engage a diverse audience both internally and externally. Strong relationship management and conflict resolution skills with proven track record of collaborating positively, influencing and extensively coordinating with internal and external partners including senior leaders Proven knowledge of OD (theory and practice) particularly around supporting major change & developing organisation culture, staff engagement and learning & development, particularly leadership skills development Self-starter with effective planning and project management skills with demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective process and procedures Experienced leader who can inspire cross functional teams, keeping them engaged and motivated to work together and perform to drive synergy and integration Aptitude to champion change, with sufficient gravitas to influence and overcome issues that can be associated with change management, whilst role modelling our organisational values. Consultative approach with a strong ability to influence and persuade key stakeholders Demonstrable experience of people leadership; able to inspire, coach, develop and motivate others to build a proactive can-do attitude throughout the organisation and foster a high service driven mentality. Leadership Creates confidence and increases understanding within the partnership on People matters Provides leadership, mentoring and direction to those within the team Influences, inspires and helps others to become their best selves and deliver amazing results Demonstrates emotional intelligence and develops it in others Empowers others, enabling innovation and creative problem solving Proactive change orientation Strategic approach Challenges current beliefs and mindsets to effectively implement change Proactively promotes and drives change Develops staff and systems to support change Planning & results driven Ensures clear plans are produced and appropriate control skills are employed to achieve plans Enables the achievement of results by clear leadership and team working Ensures appropriate professional working standards are maintained Demonstrates pragmatism Partnership & collaboration Works with internal and external stakeholders to share best practice and deliver the most valuable solutions Demonstrates empathy with internal and external stakeholders to develop business opportunities clients, visitors and staff Managing & Promoting Diversity Committed to all aspects of Equality, Diversityand Inclusion with a firm belief in the value of diversity Ensures staff and working practices positively supportthe achievement of inclusion and diverse working Organisational Responsibility Fosters excellent working relationships with third party organisations to promote the social agenda Seeks out best practice and promulgates Hospice achievements Business Focus Strives for Value for Money in all aspects of work responsibilities Ensures budget disciplines are maintained Ability to analyse management information to inform decision making
Qualifications Essential
CIPD and/or OD qualified to Masters level with evidence of continued professional development.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Willen Hospice
Address Milton Road
Willen Village
Milton Keynes
MK15 9AB
Employer's website https://www.willen-hospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)