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Job summary

Main area
Human Resources
Grade
Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
391-RFL-7563074
Employer
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Crowndale Centre
Town
Camden
Salary
£130,000 - £140,000 per annum (inclusive)
Closing
15/11/2025 23:59

Employer heading

NHS

Group Director of People

Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community.  This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Click here to view our video Welcome to the Royal Free


 

Job overview

Our mission is to be world class in innovative healthcare services, ground-breaking clinical research, and future-focused teaching, ultimately combining world-leading expertise with local care. We are now looking for a talented Group Director of People who will share our ambition, and work inclusively across the group, providing strategic and operational leadership on all People matters.

Reporting to the Group Chief People Officer, the Group Director of People will be a pivotal appointment to the People Directorate senior leadership team. Working in conjunction with the Health Unit Directors of People, group Director of Education, Group Director of OD, Leadership and Talent will work together strengthen our culture, from ward to the Board, ensuring our values are embedded across the organisation and motivating our staff to deliver the Trust’s vision to provide world class care.

Main duties of the job

The Group Director of People Services will provide strategic and operational leadership across all group people functions within the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Reporting to the Group Chief People Officer, the postholder will ensure high-quality, forward-looking people services that align with the Trust’s strategic objectives, values, and commitment to being an outstanding place to work.

Working for our organisation

A historic teaching hospital which has served communities in North London and its surrounds since its foundation in 1828, the Royal Free London combines world class medical expertise with local and friendly care, as it strives to tackle health inequalities in this vibrant part of the capital.

Operating across four hospital sites, the Royal Free it is one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country, treating approximately 2m patients every year. With a strong reputation for innovation, high performance and partnership-building: not only does the Trust closely collaborates across the local provider landscape as well as performing a significant role within UCL Partners, the UCL Health Alliance, and in the North Central London ICS. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

•    Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Group People functions, ensuring delivery of high-quality, customer-focused services aligned to the Royal Free London Group People Strategy and NHS People Plan.

•    Act as Deputy to the Group Chief People Officer, representing the People Directorate at Board and Group Executive meetings and deputising as required.

•    Lead the design, delivery, and performance of the following Centres of Expertise:  

People Operations and Group People Services (including Workforce Information, Policy, People Hub and FTSU)

o    Employee Resolutions and Advisory Service (ERAS)
o    Inclusion, Wellbeing and Recognition
o    Resourcing, Retention and Programmes
o    People Planning, Operations and Partnerships

Full duties of the role are outlined in the Job description and Person specification.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree Level Education or equivalent experience
  • Chartered Member of the CIPD.
  • Post-graduate Diploma or MSC in HR or equivalent experience.
  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable criteria
  • Project Management qualification.

Knowledge/Experience

Essential criteria
  • An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
  • Experience of leading, coaching and building capability in all aspects of the HR function.
  • Significant experience in Senior HR / People positions, preferably in a similar sector.
  • Experience of managing budgets and delivering savings.
  • Experience of managing cross -functional and group level projects and integration of services at a senior level.
  • Proven experience of working at Senior/Executive level required and providing expert advice to Board level committees.
  • Experience of successful management of complex employee relation cases.
  • Experience of leading/setting organisational policy based on interpretation of national guidance or legislation.
  • Significant experience of developing, executing and tracking the success of HR functions and projects.
  • In-depth knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and procedures.
  • An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities.
Desirable criteria
  • Demonstrable experience of managing contentious people issues effectively together with a high level of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Extensive experience working in a complex unionised environment.
  • NHS experience.
  • Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks such as NHSLA, CQC
  • Knowledge of medical staffing terms and conditions

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Nursing TimesApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident employerTimewise PartnerCare Quality Commission - Requires improvementEnei MemberArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Claudia McCarthy
Job title
Executive Support Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0207 317 7756
Additional information

For further details / informal visits contact:

Claudia McCarthy,  Group Executive Support Manager to Thomas Pounds,  Group Chief People Officer

Email address:   [email protected]

Telephone number 0207 317 7756  extension: 36950

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