Strategic Workforce Planning Lead
Job summary
Are you passionate about using data and insight to shape workforce strategy? Do you see the power of long-term planning in building a sustainable and future-ready NHS?
This is an exciting opportunity to become our Strategic Workforce Planning Lead at Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW). This influential role sits within our People & OD team and is central to shaping how we anticipate, plan, and respond to workforce needs across NHS Wales.
You'll lead the design and delivery of workforce planning strategies that support our long-term organisational priorities and People Strategy. Collaborating across directorates, with national partners and strategic forums, your work will ensure we are ready for the future of healthcare and digital delivery.
Bring your strategic insight, data mindset, and planning expertise to a role that makes a real difference - both now and for years to come.
Main duties of the job
What You'll Be Doing
You'll lead the development of our rolling workforce plan aligned to the Integrated Medium Term Plan (IMTP), using data, scenario modelling, and labour market analysis to shape the future of DHCW's workforce.
You'll collaborate with Finance, Performance, and Digital teams to design sustainable and innovative workforce models that account for critical skills, evolving technology, and service delivery needs. You'll align plans to national agendas, such as the All-Wales Workforce Strategy, and build leadership capability in long-term workforce thinking.
You'll also support the development of career pathways, contributing to how we attract, grow, and retain talent across DHCW, bringing real impact to our people strategy. Through close collaboration with HEIW, internal partners, and external stakeholders, your influence will stretch across NHS Wales.
About us
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is an expert national body and part of NHS Wales. We work in partnership with NHS Wales colleagues and other key stakeholders to provide national digital and data services which support the delivery of health and social care in Wales. Modern health and care services depend on good digital tools, data and information. DHCW runs or works with more than 100 services and delivers major national digital transformation programmes to support this. In addition, DHCW provides expert advice in relation to cyber security and information governance. We give frontline staff the digital tools which help them provide safer and more efficient care. We are also giving patients and the public digital tools to better manage their own health and wellbeing, empowering people to live healthier lives. We put people at the heart of what we do, working to the highest standards to deliver quality and make digital a force for good in health and care.
Working for DHCW offers lots of employee benefits, including flexible working, a competitive salary, 28 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays and opportunities for career development. We are committed to recognising and celebrating our staff as the most valuable part of our organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac
What Were Looking For
Were looking for a leader who shares our values of collaboration, compassion, innovation, excellence, and inclusivity, and can bring them to life through their work.
A strategic thinker and problem solver, with proven experience in leading workforce planning in complex organisations.
Strong analytical skills, a confident understanding of workforce data, and the ability to translate insight into action.
Forecasting and resource allocations skills and the ability to align workforce planning with budgetary and financial constraints.
Comfortable leading cross-functional work, advising senior leaders, and engaging with national forums.
Strongunderstanding of the value of inclusive, data-driven planning, bringing deep knowledge of horizon scanning, labour markets, and scenario modelling.
Experience of the NHS or health sector is desirable, along with qualifications in workforce planning or strategic HR. Above all, youre someone who believes workforce strategy is key to sustainable, people-centred transformation.
Successful candidates will be requested to prepare a 10-minute presentation that explores the following:
How will you support the embedding of a Workforce Planning Mindset in DHCW
Interviews for the role will take place on Tuesday the 7th October 2025.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
- Masters in an associated professional field (or equivalent qualification / experience).
- Demonstrable evidence of strategic workforce planning and scenario planning methodology
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Experience
- Extensive experience of working in Workforce Planning or an equivalent role
- Experience of building effective cross-functional working relationships to drive the organisational agenda.
Skills and Attributes
- Excellent analytical and verbal reasoning skills and effective decision-making skills
- Effective influencing, negotiating and consultation skills and ability to influence and persuade at all levels.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
Employer name
Digital Health and Care Wales
Address
Hybrid working
Location to be confirmed at interview
CF11 9AD
Employer's website
https://nwis.nhs.wales/
- Company
- Digital Health and Care Wales
- Location
- Location to be confirmed at interview, United Kingdom CF11 9AD
Hybrid / WFH Options - Employment Type
- Permanent
- Salary
- £48527.00 - £55532.00 a year
- Posted
- Company
- Digital Health and Care Wales
- Location
- Location to be confirmed at interview, United Kingdom CF11 9AD
Hybrid / WFH Options - Employment Type
- Permanent
- Salary
- £48527.00 - £55532.00 a year
- Posted