Head of People Solutions and Experience - HR Services

This post is open to current employees of NHS Scotland Only

About The Organisation

In June 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care introduced two key frameworks: the Population Health Framework and the Service Renewal Framework (SRF). The SRF sets out an ambitious vision to drive innovation and enable more integrated delivery across Scotland’s health and care services. As part of this transformation, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) will come together to form a new organisation: Public Services Delivery Scotland in April 2026. The new organisation will play a pivotal role in supporting the renewal and long-term sustainability of health and care services across Scotland. To learn more about the new organisation, please read the public consultation paper, NHS Delivery

The Post

Are you a dynamic HR leader passionate about shaping an outstanding workplace culture and delivering excellent HR services? We’re seeking a Head of People Solutions and Experience to lead our HR Case Management, Recruitment, and HR Assist teams to support the organisation at an exciting time as it transitions into Public Services Delivery Scotland and as well as continuing to provide services to Public Health Scotland.

• Leadership & Influence: Lead our HR case management, recruitment (including Executive Recruitment), and front-line HR Assist service.

Performance Management: Use data and insight to drive proactive improvements, ensure KPI’s are met and ensure a consistently positive employee experience.

Strategic Role: Play a key part in shaping HR strategy and service improvement as a member of the Senior Management Team. Deputise for the HR Director and build collaborative relationships across our organisation.

Case Advisory: Lead a coaching-led, insight-driven case management service that empowers managers to handle people issues confidently and compassionately.

Recruitment: Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle, ensuring a seamless experience for candidates and hiring managers, and take the lead on executive-level appointments.

HR Assist: Enhance our first point-of-contact HR service, ensuring responsive, expert advice and a customer-focused approach for all staff.

What We’re Looking For

You should have extensive senior HR management experience, ideally gained within a large, multi disciplinary HR function and preferably within the public sector and a deep and broad understanding of HR services, HR management theory, and the practical application of policy, governance and people centred processes.

This should all be underpinned by a relevant degree and/or professional HR qualification, with additional training or experience to master’s level (or equivalent). Chartered CIPD membership (Chartered MCIPD) is an essential criterion, with Fellow CIPD (FCIPD) status desirable.

Additionally, you should have considerable experience leading teams and services and a proven ability to build strong, productive relationships with service users and stakeholder in an environment where engagement, responsiveness and tailored solutions are key.

If you want to make a difference, come and join our team

Location & Working Pattern

We operate a hybrid working model; however, you will have a base in either Edinburgh or Glasgow, with occasional travel to other sites required.

The working pattern is Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week. However, part time / flexible working will be considered (please note we are moving to a 36-hour working week from 1 April 2026).

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with us.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits - HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long-term commitment to staff health and well-being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader

, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on nss.wfrs@nhs.scot

Further Information

For an informal discussion on the post, please make an appointment to speak to Serena Barnatt, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, you can do this by contacting Dianne Weatherston at dianne.weatherston@nhs.scot

Closing date for completed applications: 17 March 2026

Team Fit Exercise: Via Teams, 31 March 2026 (date maybe subject to change)

Interviews: In person at Bothwell St, Glasgow on 20 April 2026

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).

We are an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies