About this role
Job summary
The Assistant Director of People provides strategic and operational leadership across NHS Greater Manchester's People portfolio, ensuring high-quality, compliant and inclusive workforce services. Reporting to the Director - People Engagement and Communications the role oversees HR, organisational development, leadership and culture, equality and inclusion, health and safety, learning, recruitment, and workforce systems, ensuring they operate cohesively and to the highest standards.
As a senior deputy and trusted advisor, the postholder translates workforce ambition into delivery, shapes the annual people plan, supports and collaborates with system-wide programmes, and supports transformation. They champion compassionate, equitable workplaces, effective governance, and strong staff-side partnerships, while building networks and driving evidence-based workforce practice that improves outcomes and enables sustainable change.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will
Provide visible leadership and effective management to their team and the wider portfolio, ensuring clear direction, motivation, and support that enableshigh performance, professional development, and delivery of organisational priorities across NHS GM Integrated Care.
Build and maintain strong partnerships across NHS organisations, GMCA, local authorities, and wider stakeholdersand maximise opportunities for collaborative working.
Champion modernisation across all areas of the portfolio, embedding innovation, streamlined processes, and new ways of working. Lead initiatives that simplify systems, reduce duplication, and improve efficiency, ensuring services remain fit for purpose and responsive to the evolving needs of NHS GM.
Drive digital enablement in how we work, ensuring technology is harnessed to improve collaboration, data-driven decision making, and service delivery. Promote the adoption of digital tools and platforms across teams and the wider system, supporting staff to develop digital skills and embedding a culture of digital confidence and innovation.
- Provide leadership to ensure the team works closely with Place Partnerships, fostering strong collaboration, shared priorities, and integrated approaches that support local delivery and system-wide outcomes across Greater Manchester.
- Actively enable collaboration through service planning, programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
About us
NHS Greater Manchester is a values-driven organisation committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the population while supporting its staff to thrive. It offers a supportive and inclusive working environment, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements that help colleagues balance their professional responsibilities with personal commitments. As an organisation focused on collaboration, innovation and making a positive difference to local communities, NHS GM provides opportunities to develop, contribute to meaningful change and build a rewarding career in public service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will
- Provide visible leadership and effective management to their team and the wider portfolio, ensuring clear direction, motivation, and support that enables high performance, professional development, and delivery of organisational priorities across NHS GM Integrated Care.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships across NHS organisations, GMCA, local authorities, and wider stakeholders and maximise opportunities for collaborative working.
- Champion modernisation across all areas of the portfolio, embedding innovation, streamlined processes, and new ways of working.
- Drive digital enablement in how we work, ensuring technology is harnessed to improve collaboration, datadriven decision making, and service delivery.
- Provide leadership to ensure the team works closely with Place Partnerships, fostering strong collaboration, shared priorities, and integrated approaches that support local delivery and systemwide outcomes across Greater Manchester.
- Matrix working is key to delivering our organisation's and system priorities. The post holder will actively enable collaboration through service planning, programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership. This includes considering the wider impact of decisions, driving improvement, and supporting inclusive ways of working where different perspectives are valued.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience
- CIPD Level 7 qualification
Desirable
- Coaching qualification (ILM Level 5 or equivalent)
- NHS Job Evaluation training or experience
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience operating at senior HR/OD level within a complex, multi-professional organisation or integrated care system
- Proven track record of delivering successful organisational change and complex projects
- Experience designing and delivering HR/OD programmes and interventions that drive cultural and organisational improvement
- Experience working across public sector systems and organisations, including consulting or supporting strategic commissioning
- Experience of working in a changing environment, preferably within health and care
Desirable
- Experience managing complex and sensitive employment relations issues
- Experience delivering staff development and engagement initiatives across all levels
- Experience of designing and evaluating cultural transformation programmes
- Experience of organisational or system design work
Skills
Essential
- Gravitas and ability to influence and negotiate at senior levels
- High-level interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Ability to present complex information clearly to senior audiences
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with ability to manage ambiguity
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects and deliver to tight deadlines
- Analytical skills to interpret data and drive workforce and inclusion improvements
- Ability to work across organisational boundaries and build consensus
- Pragmatic, solution-focused approach with team-oriented mindset
- Ability to embed organisational values through workforce and OD strategies
- Commitment to continuous improvement and personal development
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of statutory requirements and context including HR, employment law, OD, change management, and performance management
- Strong understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion issues and legislation
- Knowledge of system leadership principles and how they apply in a consulting/support capacity
- Good understanding of NHS structures, regional/national policy, and commissioning priorities
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools
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
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care
Address
Tootal Buildings
56 Oxford Street
Manchester
M1 6EU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.gmsharedservices.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)