About this role
Job summary
The NHS is a world-renowned institution and an exciting place to work, full of challenges and opportunities. As part of the national health and care reforms, the functions of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are refocusing on the core role of strategic commissioners, enabling greater impact on population health, reducing health inequalities, improving productivity, and supporting transformation across systems. As a result NHS Coventry & Warwickshire ICB and NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire ICB are working together as a cluster.
The Deputy Director of People, Workforce & OD is a senior role responsible for shaping the strategic, long-term people agenda, enhancing organisational culture, and delivering an effective and professional HR service to managers and staff employed across the clustered ICBs. This includes a range of strategic and operational HR activities, including digitally enabled OD. They will lead the operational HR function to support staff, improve retention, and drive productivity in line with ICB goals.
Successful candidates will be employed by NHS Coventry & Warwickshire ICB as the lead employing organisation within the cluster. Regular office-based working is expected at least 3 days per week, with office bases available in Coventry, Warwick, Worcester and Hereford.
The ICBs recognise the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our business and would encourage people from the armed forces community to apply for our vacancies.
Main duties of the job
You will:
Support the Director of Corporate Services in the development and delivery of a high quality, professional HR function, with the competence and capacity to safely and effectively deliver the objectives of the ICBs.Deputise for the Director of Corporate Services across the full range of HR responsibilities, including attendance as required at corporate and external meetings.Develop, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, the People Plan and associated service planning process for the HR Directorate in line with corporate and organisational objectives.Lead on the delivery of large-scale employee engagement initiatives, working with colleagues to influence how the employee experience shapes organisational direction, strategy and focus, using the People Plan as an enabler for change.Actively engage in national policy developments, and good practice across the NHS to ensure the organisation is innovative in its approach to people management.Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
On Call Rota
There will be a requirement to participate in the On Call rota. On Call is for the duration of up to one week, the frequency of this will depend on the number of staff on the rota. Staff on call may be required to attend any ICB building whilst on call particularly in the case of a major incident; however generally queries are resolved over the telephone.
NB: Interviews for this role will take place on Monday 22 June 2026 in Worcester
About us
We are dynamic, forward-looking organisations, passionate about working with health and social care partners to ensure services are integrated, and offer a high-quality patient experience. We thrive on building strong relationships with patients, communities, partners and providers.
We provide a supportive, collaborative environment, offering staff opportunities to reach their full potential and develop a rewarding career in an exciting and evolving environment. We help employees achieve a positive work-life balance through a blend of collaborative workplace attendance and home working.
Joining our inclusive and innovative team comes with attractive benefits such as:
Employee Assistance programmes and access to a wealth of on-line health and wellbeing supportCompetitive NHS Pension SchemeComprehensive opportunities to learn new skills and develop your career within a caring and inclusive environmentGenerous holiday entitlement, which increases in line with service. There is also the opportunity to purchase additional leave.Flexible working patterns to support individuals work-life balance.
Please note we operate a probationary period of up to 6 months for new appointments, dependant on band.
As part of your application, please disclose if you have recently left employment via the Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) or Voluntary Redundancy. This information is collected solely for administrative purposes; it will not form any part of the selection process.
Job description Job responsibilities
ROLE SUMMARY
Reporting to the Corporate Services Director, the Deputy Director of People & Workforce and OD is a senior role responsible for shaping the strategic, long-term people agenda, enhancing organisational culture, and delivering an effective and professional HR service to managers and staff employed across the C&W/H&W ICBs including workforce planning, recruitment, and employee relations activities. They will lead the operational HR function to support staff, improve retention, and drive productivity in line with ICB goals.
The Deputy Director of People & Workforce and OD will play a key role in leading the delivery of the C&W/H&W ICB Strategy and its associated People Plan. They will act as a role model in terms of organisational values and behaviours and support the Director of Corporate Services in their responsibilities covering all aspects of leadership and people management.
This role is a key decision maker and will have overall responsibility for effective operational delivery of the corporate people-related activity, leading a wide variety of people centred programmes. This will be achieved by influencing decision making and increasing organisational and individual engagement in the introduction, development and maintenance of HR strategies.
Working with senior colleagues, the post holder will be responsible for setting and maintaining high standards for service delivery and building capability across the organisation in areas of recruitment, workforce planning, organisational development, employee relations, HR case management, Workforce policies, terms and conditions and workforce information. The post holder will also lead initiatives to develop high levels of workforce engagement and performance to support delivery of the ICBs strategic and performance goals and its improvement priorities.
The post has a wide-ranging and extensive portfolio including policy and major change programmes. With the Director of Corporate Services, the post holder will ensure that the ICBs structure and functions - and the capacity and capability of people that work within it - are fit for purpose and designed to support business needs, whilst maintaining the highest professional standards.
In addition, they will also work closely with the Executive Director of Strategy, Digital, PHM & Partnerships as part of matrix working arrangements. They will:
Have the capability to deliver OD diagnostics for the ICB and the wider system.Ideally have the knowledge and experience of workforce transformation and digitally focused OD.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Deputy Director of People & Workforce and OD will:
Support the Director of Corporate Services in the development and delivery of a high quality, professional HR function, with the competence and capacity to safely and effectively deliver the objectives of the ICBs.To deputise for the Director of Corporate Services across the full range of HR responsibilities, including attendance as required at corporate and external meetings.To develop, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services, the People Plan and associated service planning process for the HR Directorate in line with corporate and organisational objectives.Lead on the delivery of large-scale employee engagement initiatives, working with colleagues to influence how the employee experience shapes organisational direction, strategy and focus, using the People Plan as an enabler for change.Actively engage in national policy developments, and good practice across the NHS to ensure the organisation is innovative in its approach to people management.Be the trusted advisor to executive directors, providing expert support in helping them shape and develop their workforce, commissioning others across the people directorate as required.To progress, as agreed with the Director of Corporate Services, key strategic HR priorities either determined locally, system wide or nationally. This may require communicating proposals which challenge current working practices and culture and the postholder will be responsible for responding positively to concerns and potential criticisms in a positive and sensitive manner.To provide HR leadership to managers and staff across the organisation on the HR implications of change management ensuring consistency and transparency in line with best practice and local ownership and commitment to achieving successful outcomes where there may be resistance to change.To have overall responsibility to monitor and introduce strategies to reduce sickness absence, working closely with occupational health.To ensure terms and conditions of employment and national guidance on pay are applied correctly and to negotiate local agreements as set out in National Agreements or where required.Responsible for the review, maintenance and implementation of human resources policies, procedures and guidelines across the organisation. Ensuring that these are developed to reflect national and local imperatives and current employment legislation and are integral to the culture and strategic direction of the organisation. Ensure regular and appropriate communication of policies across the organisation.Ensure that all aspects of the transactional HR function, including recruitment and ongoing employment of all groups of staff, are delivered in a timely, efficient and effective way to meet organisational need and legislative requirements.Ensure that appropriate performance monitoring and reporting arrangements are in place to measure the effectiveness and impact of the HR service.Ensure that the organisations employment practice and policies comply with regulatory requirements, national audit and benchmark standards.To work with senior colleagues to identify and manage key workforce related risks that pose a potential challenge to the organisation.Ensure that the organisation is compliant with human rights, equality and diversity legal obligations.Ensure the effective operation of agreements and procedures for the resolution of grievances, disputes, employment hearings and case management.
On Call Rota
There will be a requirement for post holders to participate in the On Call rota. On Call is for the duration of up to one week and the frequency of this will depend on the number of staff on the rota. Staff on call may be required to attend any ICB building whilst on call particularly in the case of a major incident; however generally queries are resolved over the telephone.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities Essential
A strategic mindset with the ability to translate complex objectives into clear messaging and exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to lead, inspire and motivate others to high performance by agreeing clear goals and objectives, providing support and guidance and creating opportunities for development. Ability to find creative solutions to complex problems. A strategic, innovative, and forward-thinking mindset, to deliver organisational strategy. Exceptional communication and influencing skills to engage diverse audiences. Ability to collaborate and maintain effective relationships with partners to maximise mutual value and benefit, that leads to a results focused approach. Personal credibility through driving a culture that encourages integrity, openness, honesty and mutual respect. Great leadership to develop and lead high performing teams which enable others to implement plans and exceed strategic objectives; where individual and team achievement and behaviour are encouraged and recognised, enabling people together to achieve objectives. Empathy towards the needs of others and able to find common ground to resolve complex problems. Credibility and confidence to contribute and influence at a senior level. Ability to adapt to changing situations and develop solutions to meet changing priorities. Proven track record of achieving corporate targets. Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Highly resilient and able to manage multiple competing and often highly political demands. Able to make informed decisions with highly complex information or in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales. A demonstrable commitment to ensuring equality, celebrating diversity and promoting social inclusion within an organisation.
Qualifications Essential
Educated to masters level or equivalent portfolio of experience in relevant field. Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (MCIPD) or equivalent experience. Evidence of leadership development and proven ability to perform at this level. Evidence of continued professional development.
Experience Essential
Significant HR generalist experience at a senior level in a large complex organisation. Extensive experience working at senior management level in a health or social care organisation. Track record of achievement in promoting equality in the workplace. Demonstrable experience of managing staff and employee relations. Experience of leading a HR function within a complex organisation, including recruitment, retention and the introduction of new roles. Considerable experience of developing and applying HR strategies, employment law and policies. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the legal framework surrounding employment law. Experience of successfully managing diverse stakeholders within complex and political environments. Proven ability to effectively manage and communicate highly complex, contentious and sensitive information and respond positively and sensitively to criticisms. Experience of leading, managing and developing teams to cultivate collaboration and effective team working to optimise talent, enable others to succeed, amplify results, and drive innovation to deliver strategic objectives. Experience of operating, either as a Deputy or Associate/Assistant Director together with experience of working at a very senior level in complex systems with multiple stakeholders, including the NHS, local authorities and communities.
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of the NHS and the challenges it faces. Record of innovation in workforce practices
Employer details Employer name NHS Coventry & Warwickshire Integrated Care Board
Address Shire Hall
Warwick
CV34 4RL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.happyhealthylives.uk/integrated-care-board/ (Opens in a new tab)