We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.
Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.
After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third‑party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e‑mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to “name of trust” transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Job overview
As a Human Resources Business Partner, you will work closely with divisional leadership teams to drive workforce performance, modernisation and cultural improvement across the organisation. You will act as a trusted advisor, providing high‑quality, customer‑focused HR expertise to support service delivery, workforce planning and organisational change.
In this key role, you will lead on the development and implementation of effective workforce strategies, partnering with managers to anticipate workforce needs, identify risks and design solutions that improve capacity, capability and staff experience. You will use workforce data and insights to inform decision‑making, support efficiency and strengthen planning across divisions.
You will take a proactive lead in employee relations, supporting managers with complex casework and ensuring best‑practice, fair and consistent approaches aligned with policy and legislation. You will also champion staff engagement, equality, diversity and wellbeing, helping to create a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
The role involves line management of HR Advisors, supporting their development and ensuring a high‑quality, responsive HR service.
This is a dynamic and influential position requiring strong professional credibility, excellent relationship‑building skills and the ability to lead and shape workforce initiatives in a fast‑paced operational environment.
Interview Date: 10th April 2026
Main duties of the job
The HR Business Partner leads divisional workforce planning, developing strategies that support service delivery, future workforce needs and organisational priorities. The role analyses workforce data to inform decision‑making, drive productivity and support workforce modernisation and major change programmes. The postholder provides expert, customer‑focused HR advice, supporting organisational change, service redesign and building strong relationships with senior leaders, clinical teams and Staff Side partners.
They manage complex employee relations issues, guiding managers through investigations, hearings and appeals, ensuring fair, consistent application of HR policies. The role champions positive behaviours, inclusion, wellbeing and equality, promoting effective staff engagement and undertaking equality impact assessments where required.
The HRBP strengthens leadership and management capability by working with Learning & Development, supporting coaching, leadership development and designing HR training for managers. They also contribute to medical workforce planning. The post includes line management of HR Advisors, overseeing casework, coaching team members and ensuring high‑quality service delivery.
The HRBP contributes to HR strategy, policy development and governance, monitoring compliance with employment standards, contractual requirements and workforce regulations, and escalating risks where necessary.
Working for our organisation
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
Our services:
- Acute Care – Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
- Primary Care – Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
- Community Services – Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
- Specialist Regional Services – We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
- Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) plays a key leadership role in supporting divisional teams to deliver high‑quality, patient‑focused services through effective workforce planning, employee relations, organisational development and cultural improvement. The postholder will provide expert HR advice, lead workforce modernisation programmes, and support managers in delivering the Trust’s strategic and operational objectives.
The HRBP will work proactively with senior leaders, clinical directors, operational managers, Staff Side representatives and wider HR colleagues to ensure a cohesive, customer‑focused and responsive HR service. They will use workforce intelligence, policy expertise and strong partnering skills to influence decision‑making and drive improvements in workforce capacity, capability and staff experience.
The role includes leading change initiatives, managing complex employee relations issues, promoting a positive and inclusive culture, and developing people‑management capability across divisional teams. The HRBP will also line‑manage HR Advisors, ensuring high‑quality case management and supporting their professional development.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and implement divisional workforce plans aligned to organisational and national priorities.
- Analyse workforce data, metrics and productivity information to inform decision‑making and support improvements.
- Anticipate workforce implications of external and internal changes and develop effective solutions.
- Lead workforce modernisation initiatives and contribute to service redesign and efficiency programmes.
- Work with finance and planning colleagues to align workforce and business planning.
HR Business Partnering & Organisational Change
- Provide expert, customer‑focused HR advice to divisional leaders on people management and workforce issues.
- Lead or support organisational change programmes, including consultation, implementation and workforce transition.
- Build strong strategic relationships with senior managers, clinical leaders and other stakeholders.
- Act as a trusted advisor, influencing workforce‑related decisions and promoting best practice.
Employee Relations
- Advise on and support the management of complex and sensitive employee relations cases.
- Participate in investigations, hearings, appeals and Employment Tribunal processes where required.
- Ensure fair, consistent and legally compliant application of HR policies and procedures.
- Manage casework via the divisional ER tracker, ensuring timely progression and risk escalation.
Culture, Engagement & Workforce Experience
- Promote a positive, inclusive and values‑based culture across divisions.
- Build effective relationships with Staff Side and lead or support consultations and negotiations.
- Support managers to create healthy, supportive and engaging working environments.
- Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, completing EIAs when required.
- Work with Learning & Development to strengthen leadership and management capability.
- Contribute to a coaching culture and support initiatives that improve people‑management skills.
- Design and deliver HR‑related training and development programmes for managers.
- Support the development of the medical workforce agenda with relevant colleagues.
- Line‑manage HR Advisors, ensuring appropriate supervision, development and appraisal.
- Allocate and oversee casework, providing professional coaching and guidance.
- Support the development of HR administrative and advisory teams.
HR Policy, Governance & Compliance
- Contribute to the development, review and implementation of HR policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, NHS standards, and Trust governance requirements (e.g., employment checks, ETWD, fixed‑term contracts).
- Escalate risks and complex issues to senior HR leadership appropriately.
Professional Standards & General Duties
- Build effective relationships across the Trust and contribute to a seamless HR service.
- Maintain confidentiality, comply with GDPR and follow information‑governance policies.
- Comply with health and safety, safeguarding and infection‑prevention standards.
- Participate in mandatory training, performance reviews and continuing professional development.
Person specification
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level / or equivalent relevant work experience
- Graduate Member of CIPD
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Employment Law Qualification
- Chartered Member of CIPD (MCIPD)
- Project Management Qualification
Knowledge and Experience
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to persuade and influence managers and to challenge constructively
- Ability to apply consulting approach and skilled in partnering with managers to achieve business objects
- Demonstrate an understanding of the external strategic environment
- Demonstrate effective coaching skills
- Ability to act as a change agent
- Ability to interpret terms and conditions of employment
- Sound knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence good working relationships with people at all levels
- Competent user of Information Technology
- Ability to build and establish effective working relationships with managers, unions and colleagues
- Experience of working and negotiating with Trade Unions
- Experience of restructurings/organisational change
- Experience of analysing workforce information
- Experience of building people management, competence and capability
- Ability to judge complex situations and apply appropriate solutions
- Experience of union environment and managing employee relations
- Understanding of the current NHS agenda and challenges
- Ability to plan and deliver HR training solutions
- Knowledge of NHS terms and conditions of employment
- Workforce planning and development skills
Other
- Flexible approach
- Achievement focused – ability to set targets and get things done
- Open and honest
- Treats colleagues with dignity and respect
- Shows commitment and resilience
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward‑thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact Recruitment@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision‑making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.
eVisa Update
For successful candidates on selected work and study visa routes, who have completed and paid for their applications will no longer receive a visa vignette in passport as evidence of their permission to enter the UK. Instead, you will be issued with an eVisa only, which is accessed by creating a UKVI account.
Before travelling to the UK, we advise applicants to:
- Understand how to generate an eVisa share code
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 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.
Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.
If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
- All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
- There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
- Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Working for Team MWL
Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
The Trust is a non‑smoking environment across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website.
You will be expected to undertake the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.
Additional Information
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which can be found here. An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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