Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing

Job Title: Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing
Band: 8C
Location: Dorset
Working Pattern: Minimum 3 days on-site (flexible service-led hybrid arrangement)
Contract: Interim / Fixed Term (9 months)
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week)

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We are currently supporting a leading healthcare Trust in Dorset in the appointment of an Interim Associate Director of HR Operations & Wellbeing. This is a senior leadership opportunity within a large, complex healthcare organisation, offering the chance to shape and influence the full spectrum of People Operations, Employee Experience and Wellbeing services across a workforce of approximately 12,000 staff.

About the Role\n

Reporting into the Deputy Chief People Officer, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across key HR functions including:

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• Resourcing and Talent Acquisition (permanent and temporary workforce)
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• Employee Relations, including complex case management and policy leadership
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• Occupational Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Support Services
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• Medical Staffing and associated workforce functions
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You will be responsible for ensuring high-performing, compliant and responsive HR services that align with Trust priorities, governance frameworks and national NHS standards. A key focus of the role is driving service improvement, transformation, and a strong Great Place to Work culture.

Key Responsibilities\n

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• Lead the delivery of HR operational services across a large and diverse NHS workforce
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• Manage complex Employee Relations cases, including tribunals and senior medical staffing matters
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• Provide expert advice on employment law, policy and organisational change
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• Oversee Occupational Health, Wellbeing and Psychological Support services
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• Drive workforce transformation, continuous improvement and service efficiency
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• Lead policy development and ensure consistent Trust-wide application
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• Manage budgets, workforce planning and cost improvement programmes
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• Represent the HR function at senior governance and partnership forums
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• Build strong relationships with Staff Side, senior clinicians and executive stakeholders
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• Support major organisational change programmes including TUPE, restructures and redundancies
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About You\n

The ideal candidate will bring:

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• Significant senior HR leadership experience within the NHS or large complex organisation
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• Strong background in Employee Relations, tribunals and medical workforce issues
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• Proven experience leading Occupational Health, Wellbeing or Employee Experience functions
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• Demonstrable success in managing large HR teams and operational services
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• Strong understanding of NHS governance, policy and workforce frameworks
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• Experience working at board or executive level with excellent stakeholder skills
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• Ability to lead transformation and service improvement at scale
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• Strong financial and budget management capability
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Additional Information\n

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• This role requires minimum 3 days on-site attendance across Dorset sites
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• Full-time commitment (37.5 hours per week, MondayFriday)
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• Must have strong NHS experience in complex ER and workforce environments
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• Strong emphasis on delivery of high-quality operational HR services
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