Working Full time - 37.5 hours per week
We are looking for an experienced and proactive HR professional to play a key role in supporting our organisation through a broad and varied portfolio of workforce priorities. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can combine strong technical HR expertise with a collaborative, practical and people-focused approach. The Trust is a fast paced and busy environment and there will be significant opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of workforce matters in the HR field.
Working closely with key stakeholders across the organisation, you will provide senior HR advice and guidance across the full range of employment matters, including employee relations, recruitment and retention, attendance management, organisational change, workforce planning, terms and conditions of employment, and the interpretation and application of policies and procedures.
You will also provide effective leadership to your HR sub-team, creating an environment where colleagues feel empowered, engaged and supported to deliver a high-quality service. Previous line management experience is essential, along with the ability to motivate others, manage priorities and contribute positively to continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will bring substantial senior-level HR experience gained within a large, complex organisation, ideally within a highly unionised environment. You will be confident operating at pace, able to establish immediate credibility with colleagues at all levels, and skilled in building strong, trusted relationships.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are vital, as is the ability to think creatively and pragmatically to deliver effective HR solutions. If you are a resilient, proactive and compassionate HR leader who is passionate about making a meaningful contribution, we would welcome your application.
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
