People & OD Partner

Public Health Wales NHS Trust

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Public Health Wales is seeking an experienced People/HR Partner to work alongside Executive Directors and senior leaders across the organisation. This broad partnering role uses professional insight, judgement and constructive challenge to connect leaders with the People & OD expertise they need and help turn organisational priorities into practical workforce decisions and delivery.

The role is fixed term or secondment for 18 months, ending March 2028, due to funding. The post is available at a significant time of organisational change and ongoing workforce challenges. The postholder will help leaders navigate complexity, plan for workforce capacity and capability, and translate decisions into practical action. They are not expected to have every answer themselves, but should know when to challenge, advise or bring together relevant expertise.

The role works with Executive Directors and senior leadership teams, providing senior People & OD advice, coaching and constructive challenge. It supports organisational change, workforce planning, sensitive people issues, culture, leadership, engagement and team effectiveness. The Partner team meets face-to-face monthly, and the postholder will attend key Directorate meetings in person; other work locations will depend on the role and supported Directorate(s). The organisation works in a hybrid way.

Public Health Wales is the national public health organisation in Wales. Its purpose is “Working together for a healthier Wales,” supporting longer, healthier, happier lives and working with partners to improve health and well-being and reduce inequalities. Its values are “Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference.” The organisation is committed to an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity, and welcomes flexible working arrangements, including part-time roles and job sharing. Welsh language ability is desirable; Welsh and/or English speakers are welcome to apply. NHS experience is helpful but not essential. Applicants from outside the NHS should be prepared to learn the Public Health Wales and NHS Wales context quickly.

Requirements

• Substantial senior-level People/HR/OD partnering experience in a complex organisation.
• Chartered Membership of the CIPD (MCIPD).
• Experience working with senior leaders and managing competing priorities.
• Sound professional judgement, strong influencing skills and confidence to challenge constructively.
• Ability to move between the wider organisational picture and the detail required to deliver practical action.
• Ability to use workforce insight and professional expertise to deliver practical, measurable improvements.
• Recent experience of organisational change for applicants from outside the NHS.
• Ability to build credibility quickly.
• Willingness and ability to get to grips with the Public Health Wales and NHS Wales context quickly if coming from outside the NHS.

Nice To Haves

• NHS experience.
• Experience working in a complex, unionised environment.
• Ability to speak Welsh.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior People & OD advice, coaching and constructive challenge to Executive Directors and senior leadership teams.
• Help leaders navigate organisational change, including service change, organisation and role design, restructuring, skill mix and new ways of working.
• Translate organisational priorities into practical workforce and organisational plans.
• Help leaders plan for workforce capacity, capability and future requirements.
• Use workforce data and insight to support decisions and identify where action is needed.
• Help leaders navigate complex and sensitive people issues.
• Support culture, leadership, engagement and team effectiveness.
• Work constructively with Trade Unions and staff representatives.
• Connect leaders with expertise across People & OD and other functions.
• Use evidence and insight to understand what is working and where different action is needed.

Benefits

• Significant autonomy and the opportunity to work on real organisational questions.
• Flexible working arrangements are supported, including part-time roles and job sharing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed