People Business Partner

Job description

Job summary

We have ambitious plans for our People Services, and we arelooking for an experienced People Business Partner who shares that ambition andwants to make a real difference. You will join our forward-thinking PeopleServices Leadership Team and a strong and collaborative team of PeopleBusiness Partners.

As a People Business Partner, you will work in partnershipwith a designated Directorate, providing strategic workforce, HR andorganisational development expertise to help shape and deliver its peoplepriorities. You will develop a deep understanding of the Directorate'sservices, challenges and ambitions, using your professional expertise, insightand influence to support effective decision-making and organisational change.

As an integral member of the Directorate's SeniorLeadership Team, you will build trusted relationships with senior leaders,bringing constructive challenge and acting as a catalyst for positive peopleand organisational change. You will also play an important role in ensuringDirectorate priorities align with and contribute to our wider Trust workforcestrategy and organisational objectives.

You will be joining a supportive and experienced PeopleBusiness Partnering team where collaboration, professional curiosity and makinga positive difference are at the heart of how we work.

The role is available on a full-time basis, with a hybridapproach combining home and on-site working.

Proposed interview date: Monday 23rd November 2026

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with senior leaders to shape and deliver thepeople agenda for the Directorate, providing strategic advice and challengeacross workforce planning, organisational design and change, resourcing,development, and staff engagement and experience. You will bring togetherworkforce insight and People expertise to develop solutions that respond toboth current priorities and future workforce needs.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

As a People Business Partner, you will work as a trusted strategic partner and critical friend to the Directorate Senior Leadership Team, providing expert People advice, insight and constructive challenge to support the delivery of service and workforce priorities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering strategic workforce plans aligned with Directorate priorities and wider Trust objectives.
• Advising and influencing on workforce planning, organisational design and change, including new roles, ways of working and service transformation.
• Using workforce data and insight to identify priorities, risks and opportunities and develop practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Supporting senior leaders with organisational development, culture, staff engagement and experience, including responding to NHS staff survey insights.
• Working collaboratively with leaders and people colleagues on resourcing, talent and workforce development priorities.
• Providing expert advice and constructive challenge on people policies, employment practice and workforce matters.
• Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of Trust-wide People policies, approaches, tools and programmes.

You will work collaboratively across People Services, drawing on specialist expertise to provide a joined-up people offer to the Directorate.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

As a People Business Partner, you will work as a trusted strategic partner and critical friend to the Directorate Senior Leadership Team, providing expert People advice, insight and constructive challenge to support the delivery of service and workforce priorities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering strategic workforce plans aligned with Directorate priorities and wider Trust objectives.
• Advising and influencing on workforce planning, organisational design and change, including new roles, ways of working and service transformation.
• Using workforce data and insight to identify priorities, risks and opportunities and develop practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Supporting senior leaders with organisational development, culture, staff engagement and experience, including responding to NHS staff survey insights.
• Working collaboratively with leaders and people colleagues on resourcing, talent and workforce development priorities.
• Providing expert advice and constructive challenge on people policies, employment practice and workforce matters.
• Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of Trust-wide People policies, approaches, tools and programmes.

You will work collaboratively across People Services, drawing on specialist expertise to provide a joined-up people offer to the Directorate.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Masters degree or knowledge and expertise gained through in-depth experience to masters degree level equivalent.
• Postgraduate diploma in HRM or equivalent relevant professional qualification.
• Evidence of employment law updates and various other training courses an up-to-date knowledge of HR practices and evidence to continuous personal and professional development in current role.

Desirable

• Chartered CIPD Membership.
• Workforce Planning methodology.

Experience

Essential

• Significant and specialist workforce experience in a role providing support to senior management staff in a demanding environment, working with managers to deliver high quality People Services.
• Significant experience of facilitating and managing change.
• Involvement in developing workforce strategy
• Experience in reviewing, producing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
• Experience of HR management and change implementation in a unionised environment.
• Experience of Trade Union consultation and negotiation.

Desirable

• Experience of training design, delivery and evaluation.
• Experience of working in the NHS.

Person Specification
Qualifications

Essential

• Masters degree or knowledge and expertise gained through in-depth experience to masters degree level equivalent.
• Postgraduate diploma in HRM or equivalent relevant professional qualification.
• Evidence of employment law updates and various other training courses an up-to-date knowledge of HR practices and evidence to continuous personal and professional development in current role.

Desirable

• Chartered CIPD Membership.
• Workforce Planning methodology.

Experience

Essential

• Significant and specialist workforce experience in a role providing support to senior management staff in a demanding environment, working with managers to deliver high quality People Services.
• Significant experience of facilitating and managing change.
• Involvement in developing workforce strategy
• Experience in reviewing, producing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
• Experience of HR management and change implementation in a unionised environment.
• Experience of Trade Union consultation and negotiation.

Desirable

• Experience of training design, delivery and evaluation.
• Experience of working in the NHS.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF

United Kingdom

Employer's website