Workforce Lead

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Workforce Lead to join our leadership team. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference by supporting the people who deliver high-quality patient care every day. You will lead workforce management, staff wellbeing, recruitment, learning and development, and organisational change, helping to create a positive, engaged, and high-performing workforce. If you enjoy building strong teams, driving improvement, and working in a varied role within Primary Care, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide hands on leadership across workforce planning, HR processes, staff development, attendance management, recruitment, and organisational change. You will support managers and staff on employment matters, oversee workforce systems and reporting, coordinate training and appraisal programmes, and promote staff wellbeing initiatives. The role also includes supporting clinical governance requirements, maintaining workforce compliance, and working closely with practice leaders to ensure the organisation has the right workforce in place to meet patient and service needs.

About us

Great North Medical Group is a forward-thinking and supportive GP practice committed to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care. We believe that investing in our people is key to providing outstanding services to our communities. Our team culture is collaborative, inclusive, and focused on continuous improvement, with a strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, learning, and professional development. We offer the opportunity to work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals in a friendly environment where your ideas, expertise, and contribution will be valued and supported as we continue to develop and grow our services.

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Coordinate and manage all recruitment activities, including advertising vacancies, application processing, shortlisting support, and interview arrangements.
• Organise and participate in recruitment interviews.
• Ensure all pre-employment checks are completed in line with NHS and practice requirements.
• Manage new starter induction programmes.
• Coordinate new staff set-up, including IT access, accounts, equipment, and mandatory documentation.
• Arrange and maintain NHS Smartcards and access permissions.

Human Resources Management

• Maintain accurate staff employment records and contracted hours.
• Provide advice and support on HR matters, policies, and procedures.
• Manage staff grievances and support formal HR processes where required.
• Coordinate and facilitate staff meetings and workforce communications.
• Monitor workforce welfare and staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Support the Practice Manager with workforce planning and staffing requirements.

Workforce Planning and Performance

• Oversee annual leave management for all staff groups.
• Administer appraisal processes and support managers in conducting annual performance reviews.
• Ensure accountability and effective performance management processes are maintained.
• Coordinate workforce data collection and reporting requirements.
• Complete and submit the Monthly Workforce Census and other NHS workforce returns.

Learning and Development

• Coordinate mandatory and role-specific staff training.
• Organise and monitor target sessions and continual professional development opportunities.
• Deliver or support IT training for practice staff.
• Maintain staff training records and ensure compliance with statutory and mandatory training requirements.

Clinical Governance and Compliance

• Support the management and review of Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Patient Specific Directions (PSDs).
• Oversee the Infection Prevention and Control Lead and coordinate infection control activities within the practice.
• Ensure workforce compliance with relevant NHS standards, policies, and regulations.

Workforce Systems

• Manage and maintain the workforce tool.
• Process and record annual leave, study leave, and workforce information.
• Produce relevant workforce reports as required.

Attendance and Wellbeing

• Monitor sickness absence reporting and ensure appropriate documentation and procedures are followed.
• Support return-to-work processes and attendance management.
• Promote staff wellbeing and a positive working culture.

Primary Care Network (PCN) Workforce

• Provide support and guidance to PCN staff in line with practice policies and procedures, escalating any concerns, performance issues, wellbeing matters, or governance concerns through the appropriate management channels.

Change Management

• Lead and support organisational change initiatives.
• Assist with the implementation of new processes, systems, and workforce developments.
• Promote staff engagement during periods of change.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 3 qualification or above, or equivalent HR qualification/experience.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working within Primary Care or the NHS.
• Proven HR administration and workforce management skills.
• Knowledge of recruitment, selection and onboarding processes.
• Supporting appraisal cycles, performance reviews and staff development initiatives.
• Workforce planning, attendance management and employee wellbeing support.
• Maintaining accurate workforce records and producing workforce reports.

Desirable

• Understanding of change management and organisational development principles.
• Proficiency in using NHS workforce systems, including workforce tool.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Understanding of NHS employment practices and workforce procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to support and advise managers and staff on HR policies and procedures.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritise a varied workload effectively.
• Commitment to staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and workforce management systems

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS workforce reporting requirements, including workforce census returns.
• Knowledge of learning and development processes and compliance training requirements.
• Experience supporting organisational change and service improvement initiatives.