Head of HR Services, HR Systems and Workforce Information
Job summary
Head of HR Services, HR Systems and Workforce Information
Department Human Resources
Band 8a £57,528 - £64,750 Per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
This is a senior leadership role at the heart of how we support our MKUH workforce. The postholder will lead HR Systems and HR Services (including our first line HR Service and Systems Desks), driving transformation with a strong focus on digitalisation and improving access to high quality first line support for staff and managers. The role will also provide leadership for payroll liaison, temporary staffing and Workforce Information functions, ensuring services are efficient, responsive and centred around the needs of our people.
We are looking for a values-led leader with significant senior experience in an NHS HR/People Services environment, with a strong track record of leading HR systems, HR transactional services and workforce information at scale. The successful candidate will bring credible expertise in ESR, e-rostering and workforce systems optimisation and integration, alongside the ability to deliver complex transformation programmes that improve quality, productivity and user experience through digitalisation and continuous improvement.
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview 19 August 2026
Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
'94% of staff within this team, who participated in the 2025/26 NHS Staff Survey, reported a strong team culture and positive working relationships, reflecting a supportive, collaborative environment where colleagues feel respected, valued and able to work together effectively.' ''NHS Staff Survey 2025/26''
The post holder will effectively manage the delivery of the HR Systems, HR Services and Workforce Information teams. They will lead on HR transformation projects/programmes, ensuring the successful delivery of benefits and efficiencies within the specified constraints of time and cost. They will work on the continual development of HR Systems and Services.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.
Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Managing HR Systems
Lead the implementation and development of HR Systems to ensure maximum benefits are derived from systems and robust service provision is provided trust wide. This will include improvements to systems; improving optimisation and usage to improve data quality and decision making, which is pivotal to the delivery of the Trust People strategy and NHS People plan priorities. This will be achieved by:
Acting as the e-Rostering & ESR expert user.
Ensure the Trust is developing efficiencies through the use of technology, reviewing and assessing system usage/functionality, existing and new modules.
Identifying risks and actions as required and review service provision as necessary to facilitate full use of system functionality.
HR Services (Helpdesk)
Lead the HR Services team to provide a helpdesk service to staff which includes first-line support on general HR queries with a focus on efficiency, quality and timely delivery of services, as well as a payroll liaison service and temporary staff booking service. This includes working closely with the outsourced payroll provider to provide a timely, accurate and efficient payroll process that meets the needs of the organisation and employees including:
Monitoring the service provided by the Organisations external payroll provider to ensure that it meets requirements.
Reviewing payroll performance reports and staff over/underpayments.
Workforce information
To lead the Information Team, ensuring real time information is available and full interoperability between systems is provided. Report, analyse, present and interpret workforce information to enable local, regional and national reports and to support the efficient workforce planning process. This includes managing Freedom of Information (FOI) for the Workforce Directorate. Be expert users of ESR and monitor system usage to ensure best practice is being adhered to.
Automation and Improvement
Working with IT colleagues to identify improved ways of working through automation and innovation of approach and supporting the system roll out.
Managing People
Ensures excellent standards of staff management across all staff groups, ensuring staff appraisals and performance development plans are completed and implemented for all staff and that their mandatory training requirements are fulfilled as a priority.
Demonstrating Personal Qualities
Ensures own professional and personal development demonstrating self-awareness and willingness to continually learn and develop.
Acts with integrity and treats others with respect at all times.
Acts as a role model to demonstrate the Trusts values and behaviours at all times.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
- Educated to Masters degree level or equivalent.
- PRINCE2 or similar project management qualification.
- E-Rostering training qualification or equivalent on the job experience.
- ESR training qualification or equivalent on the job experience.
- Management qualification or equivalent on the job experience
- Level 7 CIPD qualification or equivalent
Experience
- Extensive experience of implementing ESR & e-Rostering systems.
- Extensive experience of managing HR teams in a healthcare environment.
- Experience of workforce/roster planning.
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries.
- Experience of delivering projects within a healthcare setting environment.
- Experience and knowledge of the NHS
Skills
- In depth knowledge of e-rostering & ESR systems.
- Ability to problem solve and articulate findings in report format
- Able to establish collaborative working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to discuss and explain technical issues to non-technical staff.
- Able to monitor and appraise individual and organisational performance.
- Knowledge and understanding of Information Governance.
Communication
- Ability to engage and influence at a senior level
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
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
HR Services (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh