About this role
Job summary
Head of HR Services, Systems and Automation
Department Human Resources
Band 8b £66,582 - £77,368 Per annum, pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
This is a senior leadership role at the heart of how we support our MKUH workforce. The postholder will lead HR Systems and HR Services (including our first line HR Service and Systems Desks), driving transformation with a strong focus on digitalisation, automation and improving access to high quality first line support for staff and managers. The role will also provide leadership for payroll liaison, temporary staffing and Workforce Information functions, ensuring services are efficient, responsive and centred around the needs of our people.
We are looking for a values led leader with significant senior experience in an NHS HR/People services environment, with a strong track record of leading HR systems, HR transactional services and workforce information at scale. The successful candidate will bring credible expertise in ESR, e rostering and workforce systems optimisation/integration, alongside the ability to deliver complex transformation programmes that improve quality, productivity and user experience through digitalisation, automation and continuous improvement.
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview: 01 July 2026
Main duties of the job
'94% of staff within this team, who participated in the 2025/26 NHS Staff Survey, reported a strong team culture and positive working relationships, reflecting a supportive, collaborative environment where colleagues feel respected, valued and able to work together effectively.'''NHS Staff Survey 2025/26''
They will demonstrate strong governance and assurance capability (including information governance, risk management, data integrity and workforce reporting), and the confidence to lead sensitive and sometimes contentious matters with compassion, clarity and professionalism. Above all, the postholder will role model our values of We Care, We Communicate, We Collaborate and We Contribute, treating colleagues with dignity and respect, listening and explaining clearly, working in partnership across teams and systems, and maintaining a strong focus on improving the day to day experience for staff and managers.
The post holder will effectively manage the delivery of the HR Systems, HR Services and Workforce Information teams, and is responsible for ensuring the service provision of the HR Service and Systems Desks - our first-line HR support for all our staff. Management and leadership of our payroll liaison and temporary staffing teams is a key part of this role as well as supporting the Workforce Information Lead and HRBPs to develop a robust Workforce Plan for the Trust.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description Job responsibilities
They will lead on HR transformation projects/programmes, ensuring the successful delivery of benefits and efficiencies within the specified constraints of time and cost, with a focus on digitalisation and enhanced accessible first-line HR support to the Trust. They will work on the continual development of HR Systems and Services and manage our payroll and pensions contract, responsible for dealing with escalated concerns around pay for our workforce.
Managing HR Systems
Lead the implementation and development of HR Systems to ensure maximum benefits are derived from systems and robust service provision is provided Trust wide. This will include improvements to systems; improving optimisation and usage to improve data quality and decision making, which is pivotal to the delivery of the Trust People strategy and NHS People plan priorities. This will be achieved by:
Act as senior lead for ESR, e-rostering and workforce systems.
Lead system development ensuring maximum utilisation and return on investment.
HR Services (Helpdesk)
Lead the HR Services team to provide a helpdesk service to staff which includes first-line support on general HR queries with a focus on efficiency, quality and timely delivery of services, as well as a payroll liaison service and temporary staff booking service. This includes working closely with the outsourced payroll provider to provide a timely, accurate and efficient payroll process that meets the needs of the organisation and employees including:
Lead delivery of efficient, high-quality HR transactional services.
Transform services to be streamlined, standardised and digitally enabled.
Workforce information
To lead the Information Team, ensuring real time information is available and full interoperability between systems is provided. Report, analyse, present, and interpret workforce information to enable local, regional, and national reports and to support the efficient workforce planning process. This includes managing Freedom of Information (FOI) for the Workforce Directorate.
Be expert users of ESR and monitor system usage to ensure best practice is being adhered to.
Automation and Improvement
Working in partnership with IT and senior leaders, the postholder provides strategic leadership and oversight of workforce automation and digital transformation across HR and Organisational Development services, establishing a clear roadmap for optimising workforce systems and processes.
Carries out regular audits to support data quality e.g. on right to work, data quality within the staff record, and sensitive data for the staff census.
Managing People
Ensures excellent standards of staff management across all staff groups, ensuring staff appraisals and performance development plans are completed and implemented for all staff and that their mandatory training requirements are fulfilled as a priority.
Delegated budget holder for 3 department budgets. Responsible for identifying efficiencies and ensuring expenditure of budget is compliant with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions.
Demonstrating Personal Qualities
Ensures own professional and personal development demonstrating self-awareness and willingness to continually learn and develop.
Acts with integrity and treats others with respect at all times.
Acts as a role model to demonstrate the Trusts values and behaviours at all times.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge Essential
Masters level qualification or equivalent experience Level 7 CIPD qualification (or equivalent experience) Formal project/programme management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent) Evidence of continuous professional development in HR systems, digital transformation or workforce analytics Advanced knowledge of: oESR and workforce systems oHR systems architecture, integration and optimisation oWorkforce data governance and information standards oInformation Governance, Data Protection Act 2018 and risk management
Desirable
Knowledge of NHS workforce systems, ESR, and national datasets Qualification or demonstrable expertise in digital transformation, automation or data analytics Knowledge of NHS People Plan and workforce strategy delivery
Experience Essential
Significant senior leadership experience managing HR systems, HR services or workforce information functions Proven experience delivering large-scale transformation or change programmes across HR or workforce services Experience leading: oHR transactional services or shared services oWorkforce systems optimisation and integration oAutomation or digital transformation initiatives Extensive experience of ESR and workforce system implementation, optimisation and governance Experience of developing and delivering workforce data insights to support decision-making Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving high performance Experience of working across organisational boundaries and influencing at senior level
Desirable
Experience of working with outsourced providers (e.g. payroll services)
Skills Essential
Strategic leadership and ability to translate organisational priorities into operational delivery Ability to lead complex programmes and deliver measurable benefits and efficiencies Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, including interpretation of workforce data Ability to establish governance frameworks, KPIs and performance monitoring systems Ability to design and implement service improvement and business process redesign Strong digital literacy and understanding of system interoperability and optimisation Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across clinical and corporate services Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing for senior forums Ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams Ability to manage risk, compliance and data integrity Can deal with conflict proactively. Ability to discuss and explain technical issues to non-technical staff. Able to monitor and appraise individual and organisational performance. Knowledge and understanding of Information Governance.
Communication Essential
Exceptional communication. Ability to engage, influence and challenge constructively at Board and senior leader level Ability to communicate complex technical/system issues to non-technical audiences
Specific requirements Essential
Demonstrates personal resilience and ability to work under pressure in a complex environment Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously and lead others Ability to prioritise competing demands and deliver to deadlines Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation Acts as a role model for Trust values and behaviours Ability to manage sensitive, complex and sometimes contentious issues Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
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 Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address HR Services (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)