HR Lead

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.
**Your role will include**:
Managing and coaching our People Business Partners and their teams
Partnering with divisions to deliver workforce solutions across priorities such as planning, recruitment, retention, wellbeing and engagement
Being part of an experienced leadership team with opportunities for development
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.
Join our ‘Outstanding’ Trust - recognised for our supportive culture where staff feel valued.
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
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
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 scheme including electric vehicles
Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
Discounts at hundreds of popular 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
**The “must haves” for this role**:
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 objective
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point - by - point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Interview will be held on 1st October 2025