HR Operations Delivery Manager | NHS England

The Team

This role sits withinSystems, Transactions and Operations (STO)inHuman Resources and Organisational Development. STO delivers efficient, effective and customer‑focused HR, OD, recruitment and workforce services across NHS England, supporting managers, staff and senior leaders across national, regional and corporate directorates.

The service operates a centralised delivery model aligned to agreed policies, KPIs, SLAs and statutory requirements and includes HR Operations, Recruitment Operations, ESR, Workforce Compliance, Establishment Control and People Analytics. The team works in close partnership with HR Business Partnering, Finance, Analytics, Trade Unions and external suppliers.

The Role

We are looking for aBusiness and Operations Delivery Managerto provide strategic and operational leadership across assigned HR, OD, recruitment or workforce operations portfolios. You will lead teams to deliver high‑quality, compliant and customer‑focused services aligned to organisational priorities and People Plan objectives.

You will act as a senior point of escalation for complex, sensitive or high‑risk operational and people matters, oversee delivery of complex programmes and service improvements, and build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation. This is a senior role operating in a complex, fast‑paced and politically sensitive environment.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across assigned HR, recruitment or workforce operations portfolios
• Lead and manage teams, including recruitment, performance management, development and wellbeing
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex, sensitive or high‑risk operational and people issues
• Oversee delivery of HR, recruitment, ESR, workforce compliance or establishment control services as required
• Ensure services meet statutory, regulatory, financial and governance requirements
• Lead complex projects, audits and service improvement initiatives
• Review and improve policies, procedures, guidance and systems to enhance service quality and efficiency
• Use data, insight and professional judgement to inform decision‑making and risk management
• Ensure high‑quality workforce data, reporting and management information
• Monitor budgets, resources and value for money within delegated authority
• Produce reports and briefings for senior leaders and governance forums
• Build effective relationships with senior leaders, HR Business Partners, Trade Unions and external partners
• Represent the service in internal and external forums as required
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality, professionalism and integrity at all times

NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms — enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

In March 2025,the Government announcedthat NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department. 

If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

NHS England leads the NHS in England to deliver high‑quality care for all. We support NHS organisations to deliver better outcomes for patients and communities, achieve best value for taxpayers and drive improvement across the NHS. Our work is underpinned by the NHS Constitution values of respect and dignity, compassion, commitment to quality of care, improving lives, working together for patients and ensuring everyone counts.

What We’re Looking For

The postholder will be educated to degree or postgraduate level, or be able to demonstrate equivalent significant professional experience, supported by clear evidence of continuing professional development. It is highly desirable for the post holder to hold a level 5 CIPD qualification.

They will bring significant experience within HR, OD, recruitment, workforce operations or a related specialist field, with a proven track record of managing teams and delivering complex services or programmes. The role requires experience of operating effectively within complex and politically sensitive environments, applying sound judgement and maintaining professionalism in challenging circumstances.

The postholder will have experience of governance, risk management and assurance, alongside the ability to draft high‑quality reports and briefings for senior leadership, supporting informed decision‑making and organisational oversight. They will demonstrate strong leadership capability, with the confidence and judgement to make decisions, manage ambiguity and provide clear direction to others.

Excellent analytical, planning and organisational skills are essential, enabling the postholder to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes effectively. They will also possess advanced communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and productive relationships across a wide range of senior stakeholders. A strong capability to lead change and drive continuous improvement is fundamental to the role, ensuring services evolve in line with organisational priorities and standards.

Desirable experience includes working within a healthcare or public sector environment, providing an understanding of the governance, accountability and complexity associated with such settings.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

NHS England is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and upholds the NHS values in everything we do. We value difference, promote inclusive working practices and operate with integrity, confidentiality and strong governance to support the delivery of high‑quality health and care services.

The band for this role is subject to full evaluation and is indicative at the time of advert

Please note that this role will be 100% in person working at the NHS England Office in Leeds.

This role will be recruited via an in person assessment centre day which will take place between 0900 and 1700 on the 5thJune 2026 in Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP. There are no alternative dates or locations for this assessment centre.

If you like what you have read and think you have the skills and experience, we need then don't delay, apply today! We get lots of applications for our roles and so we sometimes have to close our posts early. Don't miss out!
Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

You can find further details about the job, in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Please note that the reason for the fixed term of this contract is  short term vacancy.

This advert closes on Thursday 28 May 2026