About this role
Job summary
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is a large acute Trust serving a diverse population across the Southwest.
Our People Directorate delivers a broad portfolio including workforce planning, resourcing, medical workforce*, employee relations, business partnering. You will be expected to partner with other member of the senior leadership team around learning* and organisational development, staff engagement and occupational health.
As part of the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in:
Shaping our workforce strategy and future operating model Strengthening organisational culture and staff experience Building leadership capability across the organisation You will join a committed and collaborative leadership team with a strong ambition to improve outcomes for both staff and patients.
This is a unique opportunity to step into a critical executive role at a time of significant transformation and opportunity. You will have the platform to shape the future of workforce delivery, culture and inclusion across the organisation and system.
Location: Derriford Hospital, Plymouth Working Pattern:Full time Hybrid Working:Flexible hybrid working arrangements are offered Accommodation: Trust accommodation may be available to support relocation Interviews will be held 12th June 2026.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Chief People Officer / HR Director will:
Lead delivery of the Trust's People Plan aligned to national NHS priorities Oversee the performance and integration of key People functions Provide assurance to Board and committees through robust governance and reporting Ensure consistent application of employment policy, governance frameworks and Agenda for Change Support the financial sustainability of workforce strategies Pivotal in driving forward the future state of Transforming People Services and Future Workforce Solutions Develop strong partnerships within the Integrated Care System The role requires the ability to navigate complex, sensitive and high-profile issues, influencing at the most senior level whilst maintaining trust and credibility across the organisation
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
To deputise for the Director of People. As a member of the People Directorate Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will be jointly responsible for delivering the immediate and long term strategy that ensures the ongoing workforce sustainability and performance of UHP. Compassionate leadership, health and wellbeing, inclusion and reducing inequalities are at the centre of all we do. Responsibility for designated portfolio, including, Business Partnering & Employee Relations, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, workforce planning & information and recruitment. Supporting the Director of People for ensuring excellent governance, rigor and challenge on all aspects of planning, delivery and performance. Ensuring that UHP services continue to implement national policies relating to the people agenda, which ensure the effectiveness, performance and stability of the Trust. A key element of this role will be the ability of the individual to form excellent working relationships across key groups of individuals, with staff at all levels, as well as external With the Deputy Director of People, Culture & leadership, lead the implementation and operational delivery of the People Plan, ensuring active involvement, influence and challenge on all business decisions and performance with patient and staff experience. Ensuring that the immediate and longer-term implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered and consistent with the overall People Strategy of the Trust. Providing impartial professional advice and meaningful analysis and interpretation, to support formulation of strategy, planning, decision making and control. Working with the Director of People, ensuring workforce strategies are developed and are financially robust and sustainable and are applied consistently across the Trust. Contributing to the maintenance of constructive and fruitful working relationships with other Directors, system partners and all stakeholders to foster a strong culture of partnership working. Working with the senior leadership teams on the people agenda ensuring that compassionate leadership and reducing inequalities are at the heart of the annual business cycle whilst enabling and developing a detailed understanding of the Trusts people agenda and contribution both overall and at care group level.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Member/Fellow membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Educated to Masters' degree with further specialist qualification in the HR management field or equivalent level of demonstrable experience. Coaching and leadership qualifications or equivalent demonstrable experience
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Substantial demonstrable experience of operating at senior level and leading within a complex regulated environment Able to lead complex and sometime contentious change and transformation at significant scale Demonstrable experience and success in addressing discrimination and inequalities. Proven knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks such as NHSLA, CQC.
Aptitude and Abilities Essential
Visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership style Strong analytical and decision-making capability Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity Highly developed communication and influencing skills Strategic and systems thinking
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Brittany House
Brittany House
Plymouth
PL6 8AX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)