People Systems Manager

The Systems Manager is a key leadership role within the People Directorate's Data Quality and Systems team, responsible for the management, development and optimisation of ESR and other workforce systems that support people processes across the Trust. The role plays a critical part in ensuring workforce information is accurate, reliable and effectively used to support operational decision-making, workforce planning and establishment control.

The post holder will lead on ESR management, data quality improvement, systems optimisation and workforce data governance, ensuring systems and processes are efficient, compliant and aligned to organisational priorities. They will work closely with colleagues across People Services, Finance, Digital Services and operational teams to deliver improvements that enhance service delivery and strengthen workforce information.

We are looking for an experienced systems professional with strong ESR and workforce systems knowledge, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to translate complex technical issues into practical solutions. The successful candidate will be highly organised, customer-focused and skilled at building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of workforce systems and data management, supporting digital transformation, data quality improvement and the delivery of digitally enabled people services.

Main duties of the job

The Systems Manager will lead the management, development and optimisation of ESR and other People Directorate systems, ensuring workforce and establishment data is accurate, reliable and supports effective decision-making across the Trust. The post holder will act as the Trust's ESR subject matter expert, providing specialist advice, leading system improvements and ensuring workforce systems, interfaces and reporting processes are maintained effectively.

The role will lead improvements in data quality, data governance and system usage, working with stakeholders to identify issues, implement solutions and ensure workforce information supports reporting, workforce planning and establishment control. The post holder will also develop and improve processes, guidance and training to promote best practice and maximise system benefits.

Working closely with Finance, Recruitment, Digital Services and operational teams, the Systems Manager will support establishment control, workforce planning and digital transformation initiatives while ensuring services are delivered within agreed standards and timescales.

We are seeking an experienced leader with strong ESR and workforce systems knowledge, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to build effective relationships, improve processes and deliver high-quality customer-focused services

Person specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• Degree-level qualification in Information Management, Business Information, IT, HR Systems or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Prince2 or equivalent project management qualification, or significant project delivery experience

Desirable

• Master's degree in Information Management, Business Studies, IT or related discipline
• Professional qualification relating to systems, data management or project management

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience administering ESR, including work structures, user access, auditing, interfaces and self-service functionality
• Experience managing workforce systems and datasets within a large complex organisation
• Experience leading data quality improvement programmes and implementing process improvements

Desirable

• Experience of systems such as Trac, Allocate, CRM platforms or equivalent workforce systems
• Experience delivering digital transformation or system implementation projects
• Experience of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), automation technologies or AI-enabled solutions

Technical Skills

Essential

• Strong understanding of data quality principles, data governance and information management
• Experience of managing system integrations and interfaces between workforce systems
• Ability to identify system improvement opportunities and translate them into practical solutions

Communication & Leadership

Essential

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical information to non-technical audiences
• Strong customer focus and commitment to service improvement

Desirable

• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience working across HR, Finance, Digital and operational teams
• Experience delivering training, workshops and presentations to large groups

About the employer

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.

Our six strategic ambitions are deliveringhigh-quality patient care; creating a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

We have also agreed four new organisational values - Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative - and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.