About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Hywel Dda University Health Board as an Operational Workforce Manager.
The Operational Workforce Manager will deliver a comprehensive, professional, and customer-focused workforce service to operational and clinical teams across the Health Board. This is a key role in supporting the effective delivery of workforce objectives, ensuring services are compliant, efficient and sustainable in line with organisational priorities.
The post holder will act as a trusted advisor to managers, providing expert guidance on a wide range of workforce matters including absence management, performance management, employee relations, and organisational change. You will support managers to proactively address workforce challenges, improve staff experience, and drive high-quality patient care through effective people management.
The role requires a strong focus on building effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders. You will ensure that advice and support is consistent, evidence based, and reflects current employment legislation, best practice, and organisational policies.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence and support change in a complex and fast-paced environment.
Main duties of the job
You will be proactive, solution-focused, and committed to delivering a high-quality workforce service that supports both staff and organisational outcomes.
The post holder will:
Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters, exercising sound judgement to support fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes. Provide professional leadership to Workforce Advisors, supporting their ongoing development and promoting high standards of practice across the team. Monitor the progress of workforce initiatives and projects, identifying risks or issues and escalating these appropriately to ensure timely resolution. Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, fostering a culture of open and constructive engagement. Communicate complex and sensitive workforce matters clearly and confidently to a wide range of audiences, including managers, staff, and external partners. Support managers through organisational change processes, including consultation, engagement, and where required, leading on TUPE transfers
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description Job responsibilities
Applications will be shortlisted based on Qualifications and Knowledge, Experience and Other. Skills and Attributes will be assessed at interview stage.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 06.07.2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge Essential
Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience- acquired through degree / professional HR qualification plus additional training or equivalent experience Membership of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Evidence of any other professional qualifications Knowledge of workforce issues and the basic terms and conditions which govern workforce.
Desirable
Chartered Fellow of CIPD Post graduate qualification in relevant discipline, or other relevant discipline
Experience Essential
Significant experience of HR and/or organisational development /modernisation issues in a large, complex organisation. Evidence of strategic workforce change and implementation within a complex environment. Demonstrate successful outcomes of consultation and negotiation experiences. Proven track record of innovation, change management, implementing best practice and/or modernisation of services and ways of working. Evidence of analytical reasoning Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
Previous experience in a senior Workforce role. Knowledge of working within an NHS organisation. Track record of inspiring and managing a team. Mediation Training. Evidence of Strategic thinking and contextual understanding of NHS Workforce issues.
Other Essential
Flexible approach to needs of the service
Desirable
Welsh Speaker (Level 1) is desirable but not essential for this post.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address Government Buildings
Picton Terrace
Carmarthen
SA31 3BT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)