Assistant Director of People Services
Job summary University Hospitals of Liverpool Group is looking for an exceptional Assistant Director of People for the Group HR Shared Services to lead the development of a modern, integrated and high performing Group People Services function. This is a unique opportunity to share how transactional services are delivered across the Group, bringing together expertise, systems, processes and teams to create a consistent, efficient and digitally enabled service for our people and our clinical services. Main duties of the job We are looking for a leader who can see beyond traditional transactional HR services and understand how people, technology, data, systems and process improvement can come together to create improved quality workforce services. As Assistant Director of People you will provide senior leadership for the development and delivery of our Group wide transactional workforce services. Your portfolio will include; Temporary Staffing Bank, a shortlisted Team of the Year in the 2025 HPMA Awards and Nursing Times Workforce Summit finalist 2025 that services over 6,000 bank workers. Rostering, a recognised award-winning team in the RL Datix Awards 2025. Medical Staffing and Medical Rostering - a newly formed team for Group that creates a fantastic opportunity to grow this service at scale. Workforce Systems and workforce data - building on the in-house developments of automation and readying the organisation for the forthcoming national People Solution. Employment Services and Payroll controls - leading our internal controls, compliance and assurance. Recruitment - developing our service for Group, exploring new and innovative ways to attract talent and diversity. About us NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) was formed on 1 November 2024, born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our communities. We are one of the largest employers in region, with over 18,900 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services that extend to more than two million people in the North West. We operate from five hospital sites:Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to several elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospitalprovide specialist services incardiothoracic surgery,cardiology and respiratory medicine, both in the hospital and out in the community.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single en-suite bedrooms and mainly focuses on complex planned care and specialist services. Details Date posted 30 September 2026 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £79,504 to £91,609 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 287-CEF-397-26 Job locations Wavertree Tchnology Park Liverpool L13 1HD United Kingdom Job description Job responsibilities The Group People Services team launched their ambitious operating model earlier this year and you will lead the next phase our Group shared services operating model, creating greater consistency and standardisation whilst ensuring services remain responsive to the needs of our hospitals, clinical services and workforce. You will establish a clear vision for the future of transactional people services and translate this into practical programmes of transformation and continuous improvement This will include developing our structures, processes and systems identifying opportunities for standardisation and automation; reducing unnecessary variation a, strengthening governance and improving the experience of managers and colleagues who use our services. This role is central to our ambition to create a modern, customer focused and digitally enabled People function working in the context of the NHS People Plan, People Promise and wider NHS workforce transformation agenda. We are looking for an experienced and ambitious people professional who can operate confidently at senior level and has a proven track record of delivering complex workforce transformation. You will bring substantial experience of working within the NHS or another large complex organisation and will have a good understanding of the operational realities of delivering workforce services in a demanding healthcare environment. You will be able to demonstrate; Significant senior leadership experience within a People Services environment Experience of developing and transforming shared services or transactional services Strong knowledge of NHS workforce processes, systems and governance Experience of leading complex change across multiple services or organisations A strong understanding of workforce compliance and assurance Experience of using data and digital technology to improve workforce services A track record of delivering measurable improvements in quality, efficient and customer experience. Excellent programme change and transformation leadership skills The ability to influence and engage senior clinical, operational and corporate stakeholders Have commercial and financial awareness and experience of translating this into business plans The ability to build high performing teams to develop a culture of accountability and continuous improvements. You will be an innovative and credible leader who can move comfortably between strategic thinking and operational delivery. Please see attached job description for further details. Job description Job responsibilities The Group People Services team launched their ambitious operating model earlier this year and you will lead the next phase our Group shared services operating model, creating greater consistency and standardisation whilst ensuring services remain responsive to the needs of our hospitals, clinical services and workforce. You will establish a clear vision for the future of transactional people services and translate this into practical programmes of transformation and continuous improvement This will include developing our structures, processes and systems identifying opportunities for standardisation and automation; reducing unnecessary variation a, strengthening governance and improving the experience of managers and colleagues who use our services. This role is central to our ambition to create a modern, customer focused and digitally enabled People function working in the context of the NHS People Plan, People Promise and wider NHS workforce transformation agenda. We are looking for an experienced and ambitious people professional who can operate confidently at senior level and has a proven track record of delivering complex workforce transformation. You will bring substantial experience of working within the NHS or another large complex organisation and will have a good understanding of the operational realities of delivering workforce services in a demanding healthcare environment. You will be able to demonstrate; Significant senior leadership experience within a People Services environment Experience of developing and transforming shared services or transactional services Strong knowledge of NHS workforce processes, systems and governance Experience of leading complex change across multiple services or organisations A strong understanding of workforce compliance and assurance Experience of using data and digital technology to improve workforce services A track record of delivering measurable improvements in quality, efficient and customer experience. Excellent programme change and transformation leadership skills The ability to influence and engage senior clinical, operational and corporate stakeholders Have commercial and financial awareness and experience of translating this into business plans The ability to build high performing teams to develop a culture of accountability and continuous improvements. You will be an innovative and credible leader who can move comfortably between strategic thinking and operational delivery. Please see attached job description for further details. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant first or higher degree/equivalent experience; Master's Degree; MCIPD Experience Essential Significant experience in a senior HR&OD role in a large organisation, including leading a team and/or function. Significant experience of liaison with managers, staff and trade unions at all levels, internally and external organisations Experience of a highly complex, sensitive environment and/or working in contentious hostile situations and finding solutions. Dealt with uncertainty and ambiguity in a complex environment. Evidence of leading major organisational change Evidence of workforce KPIs/performance management. Experience of leading both HR & OD at a senior level. Evidence of policy development and implementation Experience of undertaking audit and surveys, analysing and disseminating results Experience of medical workforce issues at senior level Experience of continuous improvement project methodologies Desirable Track record of introducing change, innovation and improvements Knowledge Essential Knowledge of contemporary HR&OD legislation, employment law and other relevant policies and standards Current Professional and NHS Issues locally and nationally Highly developed knowledge and application of a wide range of HR&OD practice Understanding the impact of HR&OD practice on the delivery of quality clinical services, patient safety & experience Understanding of 'big picture' future health care and importance of HR&OD strategy to longer term clinical strategy, business plans and workforce plans for the trust Skills Essential Advanced and specialist communication and solution focused negotiation skills. Possession of tact and sensitivity, including a commitment to confidentiality Role model for the profession, remains calm and controlled in difficult and challenging situations, and is emotionally resilient. Reflects on delivery of the HR&OD service and own performance, learning and/or changing behaviour to improve. Analysis and interpretation of complex data and information, options appraisal, recommendations & report generation where no precedent exists. Capacity to deal with complexity of issues, and multiple tasks Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload Initiating, writing & embedding policies, protocols, reports etc. Computer literate and proficiency with MS Office Advanced presentation skills to influence and inform, including dealing with complex and difficult questions and challenge. Significant leadership and management development skills, encourages and enables teams and individuals to develop. Desirable Coaching and/or mentoring skills Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant first or higher degree/equivalent experience; Master's Degree; MCIPD Experience Essential Significant experience in a senior HR&OD role in a large organisation, including leading a team and/or function. Significant experience of liaison with managers, staff and trade unions at all levels, internally and external organisations Experience of a highly complex, sensitive environment and/or working in contentious hostile situations and finding solutions. Dealt with uncertainty and ambiguity in a complex environment. Evidence of leading major organisational change Evidence of workforce KPIs/performance management. Experience of leading both HR & OD at a senior level. Evidence of policy development and implementation Experience of undertaking audit and surveys, analysing and disseminating results Experience of medical workforce issues at senior level Experience of continuous improvement project methodologies Desirable Track record of introducing change, innovation and improvements Knowledge Essential Knowledge of contemporary HR&OD legislation, employment law and other relevant policies and standards Current Professional and NHS Issues locally and nationally Highly developed knowledge and application of a wide range of HR&OD practice Understanding the impact of HR&OD practice on the delivery of quality clinical services, patient safety & experience Understanding of 'big picture' future health care and importance of HR&OD strategy to longer term clinical strategy, business plans and workforce plans for the trust Skills Essential Advanced and specialist communication and solution focused negotiation skills. Possession of tact and sensitivity, including a commitment to confidentiality Role model for the profession, remains calm and controlled in difficult and challenging situations, and is emotionally resilient. Reflects on delivery of the HR&OD service and own performance, learning and/or changing behaviour to improve. Analysis and interpretation of complex data and information, options appraisal, recommendations & report generation where no precedent exists. Capacity to deal with complexity of issues, and multiple tasks Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload Initiating, writing & embedding policies, protocols, reports etc. Computer literate and proficiency with MS Office Advanced presentation skills to influence and inform, including dealing with complex and difficult questions and challenge. Significant leadership and management development skills, encourages and enables teams and individuals to develop. Desirable Coaching and/or mentoring skills 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) . Additional information 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) .