Overview

Job summary

Are you an HR leader ready for your next challenge who thrives on developing teams and inspiring others? We're looking for an experienced people professional with proven management skills to join us as our HR Lead in Business Partnering. In this senior role, you'll use your HR expertise to lead, develop and support a strong, motivated team, helping them succeed in delivering excellent services across our Trust.

You'll help shape people culture and strategy, working closely with divisional directors & senior managers to provide strategic and operational HR leadership. You'll enjoy a challenge and bring a positive, can-do attitude, using a coaching style to get the best from your team and ensure high-quality outcomes.

This is a full-time role, based at Upton Hospital. We are happy to consider part-time applications. It's offered on a fixed-term basis initially, with a view to becoming permanent. We offer hybrid working with plenty of opportunity to work from home. You'll need flexibility on hours and ability to travel to sites across Berkshire to support divisional needs. Join our 'Outstanding' Trust - recognised for our supportive culture where staff feel valued.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing and supporting our People Business Partners and their teams to provide consistent, high-quality HR support

• Partnering with divisional directors and managers to build and deliver effective workforce plans aligned to service needs

• Overseeing key people priorities including workforce planning, recruitment, retention, wellbeing, engagement and staff development

• Embedding HR policies, systems and procedures to ensure fairness, consistency and best practice across divisions

• Providing expert HR advice on complex and sensitive issues, and deputising for the Deputy Director of People when required

• Using workforce analytics and insight to inform decision-making and measure success against agreed objectives

• Driving staff engagement initiatives and ensuring divisions have strong action plans in response to surveys and feedback

• Building positive working relationships with colleagues, staff, and trade unions to foster a culture of collaboration and trust

• Supporting change management programmes and advising on workforce transformation and organisational development initiatives

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Benefits

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• Cycle to Work and car leasing including electric vehicles
• Access to wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted: 10 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £66,653 to £77,094 a year per annum (including HCAS)

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 371-CS297

Job locations: Operational HR, Upton Hospital, Slough, SL1 2BJ

Must haves

• Masters level CIPD qualification or equivalent experience

• Substantial experience of leading a multidisciplinary HR team

• Significant experience of role-modelling and coaching an operational HR team to ensure their development and the delivery of objectives

Role notes

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. Review the criteria in the person specification and address them in your supporting statement for the shortlist.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We have accreditations including Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We have identified underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues and offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

Flexibility and any questions are welcome. Please call Tracey Slegg on 07824 821844 or email tracey.slegg@berkshire.nhs.uk. Please note we may close the role earlier than the advertised closing date, so submit your application soon. Interview will be held on 1st October 2025.