Associate Director – People Services (Band 8c)

Location: Peterborough

Job Type: Temporary 

Duration of booking: 3 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: £42.00 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: Hours between 08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday up to 37.5 hours per week

Sector: Healthcare 

Based: Office / Hospital 

Mainly remote working, with 1-2 days per week at Peterborough City Hospital

An exciting opportunity has arisen with Northwest Anglia NHS Foundation Trust for an experienced Associate Director – People Services to lead a high-performing HR function during a key period of transformation.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across People Services, managing HR Business Partner teams, leading complex Employee Relations casework, and driving change management initiatives across the Trust.

Key Requirements

• Provide strategic leadership across People Services, ensuring delivery of workforce and organisational development priorities
• Deputise for the Deputy Chief People Officer as required
• Lead and embed the Trust’s People & Culture Strategy
• Drive workforce planning aligned to business and financial objectives
• Develop and present business cases for HR initiatives and transformation programmes
• Oversee HR Business Partnering, Employee Relations, Recruitment, Medical Workforce, and Employee Services
• Lead performance against KPIs, ensuring high-quality, efficient service delivery
• Manage large-scale change programmes and organisational transformation initiatives
• Ensure effective workforce systems, processes, and governance frameworks
• Act as escalation point for complex and high-risk ER cases
• Lead the ER function ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant case management
• Drive strategic and operational change management across the Trust
• Build strong relationships with Trade Unions and key stakeholders
• Work closely with Executive Directors, Divisional Leaders, and system partners
• Present complex and sensitive information at Board and Committee level
• Promote collaborative working across the Integrated Care System (ICS)
• Hold accountability for People Services budgets and workforce cost efficiency
• Oversee temporary staffing strategy ensuring value for money
• Monitor supplier performance and contractual compliance
• Proven experience at senior HR leadership level within a complex organisation (ideally NHS or public sector)
• Strong track record of: 
  • Managing HR Business Partner teams
  • Leading complex Employee Relations casework
  • Delivering large-scale change and transformation programmes
• Extensive knowledge of employment law, workforce planning, and HR best practice
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders and Boards
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact within a forward-thinking NHS organisation, with flexible working options available.