Job Description

Purpose

The Lead People & Project Partner plays a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of the people strategy across a fast-paced, regulated clinical organisation


undergoing sustained significant growth and transformation.



Reporting to the Head of People Experience, this role provides strategic leadership across the People Partnering team, ensuring the effective delivery of


people strategies that enable business success. The postholder will lead a team of People Partners, drive organisational transformation projects, and with


your team, act as the people lead for organisational change initiatives, including TUPE, restructures, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A).



Working collaboratively across the People function together with the Head of People Experience, this role will support embedding a culture of high


performance, engagement, and operational excellence, ensuring people, compliance, and business priorities are fully aligned.

Accountabilities and Deliverables

1. Leadership & Strategic Direction

Lead, manage, and develop the People Partnering team, ensuring high performance, accountability, and professional growth.

Design and deliver the People Partnering strategy in alignment with business plans, workforce priorities, and the wider People Experience agenda.

Provide thought leadership on organisational design, culture, and workforce planning, ensuring readiness and resilience for ongoing expansion and


diversification.



2. Strategic Partnering and service delivery

Oversee the delivery of strategic people partnering across all divisions and or business units, ensuring people initiatives drive business outcomes


and employee engagement.

Champion initiatives and manage projects to strengthen colleague engagement, collaboration, and communication, including across the clinical and


contingent workforce.

Drive the People Partnering team's role in performance management, talent identification, and leadership development.

Collaborate across the wider People team, Talent Acquisition, Development, and Operations to ensure a seamless, integrated "One People Team"


approach.

Build strong partnerships across business functions to deliver consistent, compliant, and high-quality people outcomes.

Act as a key representative of the People function in cross-organisational forums and projects.



3. Change & Project Leadership

Lead the people workstreams for complex organisational change, including TUPE, restructures, and mergers and acquisitions, ensuring successful


transition and engagement.

Sponsor and oversee key people projects, defining project scope, deliverables, and success measures, utilising third party relationships where


necessary.





4. Employee & Workforce Relations

Act as a senior escalation point for complex or high-risk employee relations issues, ensuring consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes.

Coach and empower People Partners and managers to manage ER matters confidently and proactively.

Oversee cyclical People processes relevant to People Experience, including pay reviews, gender pay gap reporting, and performance development


reviews (PDR).



5. Workforce Compliance & Risk Management

Provide sound guidance on employment law, regulatory compliance, and contingent workforce management (including IR35) considering the mixed


hybrid model we operate within.

Partner with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure processes and frameworks meet CQC and NHS standards and reflect best practice.



6. Continuous Improvement & Data Insight

Lead a culture of continuous improvement within the People Partnering function, leveraging data and feedback to refine processes and decisionmaking.

Use workforce analytics and insights to influence strategic priorities and measure impact

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

CIPD Level 7, HR/Business degree, or equivalent professional


qualification.

Proven experience as a lead HR/People Business Partner and

leading People projects, ideally in clinical or regulated environments.

Track record in organisation development, change management,


complex employee relations, and workforce planning.

Experience managing both permanent and contingent workforces


(bank, agency, contractors).

Experience delivering People support across hybrid mixed model


workforces.

Experience leading transformation, change initiatives.

Desirable

Project management or process improvement qualification.

Experience in healthcare, regulated sectors, or fast-growing


organisations navigating frequent change.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

In-depth, current knowledge of UK employment legislation and


employee relations, organisational change, and workforce planning


within fast-moving, multidisciplinary teams.

Proven experience providing HR or People Partner support in clinical


or similarly regulated environments, balancing compliance with


practical, people-centred solutions.

Desirable

Working knowledge of CQC (Care Quality Commission) standards


and requirements, including their impact on workforce management


and clinical governance.

Understanding of safeguarding legislation, safer recruitment practices,


and DBS processes, ensuring a safe and compliant workforce.

Experience in a scaling or rapidly growing organisation, adept at


navigating change, complexity, and competing operational priorities