HR Business Partner

Contract Type: Permanent Full Time Position

Closing date: Wednesday 25th of September 2024

The post holder is responsible for the delivery and implementation of a range of Generalist HR services within the Hospital and the provision of advice and guidance on HR issues in order to support the Hospital in the achievement of its business objectives.

Working with the HR Management Team under the governance of the Head of HR, the post holder will provide guidance to Heads of Departments on the broad HR policy direction and governance on people related matters with a focus on change management, leadership and development support.

Provide HR support and guidance to Heads of Department and staff in the delivery of the organisational strategy in line with the Hospitals HR Strategy.

The post holder will actively contribute to the delivery of patient services. S/he will play a key role in supporting the HR Department towards the achievement of the service’s objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise and support the Heads of Department to allow them to discharge their role as effective leaders and decision makers.
• Liaise and support members of the Hospital Management Team as appropriate in relation to the delivery of HR services.
• Lead and facilitate organisational change and development initiatives which are aligned to the corporate objectives.
• Influence and drive business thinking and develop HR approaches that support operational business objectives, organisational design and resource plans.
• Ensure the provision of a consistent professional service across all directorates, underpinned by sound knowledge and principles of good practice.
• Lead and operationally manage key HR functions from a corporate and development perspective.

Business Planning and Performance Management:

• Assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of appropriate systems to facilitate effective HR planning and decision-making.
• Lead in the collating, analysing and interpreting HR performance management data, (e.g. staffing numbers, absences, staffing profiles etc.), as required to assist Heads of Department in achieving their service objectives, corporate milestones and supporting managerial decision making.
• Contribute effectively to the workforce planning process within the specified Departments, ensuring the hospital is equipped to meet changing service needs through challenging professional boundaries and traditional ways of working.
• Monitor resource trends within assigned Heads of Departments, advising on recruitment and retention practice and encouraging the effective utilisation of staffing resources through the proactive use of workforce information.
• Co-ordinate the directorate/department inputs to a fully integrated hospital wide Workforce Plan.
• Co-ordinate the local implementation of Key HR Performance Indicators and proactively work on the delivery of the KPI Action Plans.

Supporting the Effective Management of People:

• Under the general direction of the Head of HR, act as the local lead HR contact working in partnership with the Hospital Management Team, contributing to the achievement of service and corporate objectives.
• Act as the focal point for the provision of HR advice and support to assigned directorates / departments.
• Provide advice and support to the areas in the interpretation and application of terms and conditions of employment and HR policies and procedures.
• Advise managers on best practice with the recruitment process, assist colleagues with appointments, including interview processes as appropriate ensuring a consistency of approach.
• Assist in the development and/or review of job descriptions and person specifications to meet service needs.
• Provide advice and support to proactively manage sickness absence and other agreed HR metrics and to promote flexible and innovative working practices.
• Play an active role on employee relation issues arising and proactively participate in their resolution.

Information Management and HR Technology:

• Under the governance and direction of the Group HR Technology Executive, lead on the development and maintenance of an integrated HR/Payroll system, ensuring that the HR MIS is utilised effectively for Management Reporting and decision making.
• Participate fully in the development and implementation of Employee and Manager Self Service as part of the HR MIS.
• Assist in the design and implementation of enhanced internal and external communication and participation arrangements and processes maximising the use of Management Information.
• Take responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of information systems in the HR Department using effective audit trails.
• Work closely with the Group HR Technology Executive in relation to management reporting for Departments.

Contributing to Organisational Improvement and Well-being:

• Work with Heads of Departments to ensure they fulfil responsibilities with regard to improving the quality of working life for staff, dignity in the workplace and supporting healthy working initiatives.
• Assist in the implementation of the Wellness Strategy and proactively work on initiatives to support the hospital in achieving the KeepWell Mark Accreditation.
• Work in close cooperation with the other members of the HR Team in the design, development and/or implementation of HR quality initiatives.
• Assist in the development and implementation of an integrated HR Policy and Procedures.
• Monitor, evaluate and where appropriate audit compliance with hospital and departmental policies.

Quality and HR Best Practices:

• Keep up-to-date of “best practice” in Human Resources Management and introduce innovations as appropriate.
• Promote and maintain a safe working environment for staff, in compliance with Health & Safety requirements and best practice.
• Regularly audit the activities of the function and initiate changes and improvements designed to strengthen controls and systems.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of HR policies, procedures and practices.
• Actively participate in the hospital accreditation, HIQA and quality improvement process as required.
• As part of the HR team, contribute where required to strategic and operational HR projects and initiatives.

Employee Relations:

• Assist the Head of HR and other managers in managing employee or industrial relations issues.
• Attend as required meetings with local and national staff representatives regarding Industrial Relations/Employee Relations issues.
• Promote and foster positive Industrial Relations/Employee Relations.
• Manage and co-ordinate operational IR/ER issues, which arise e.g. Discipline & Grievance handling and provide relevant advice and support to staff as required.

Training and Education:

• Ensure staff within the hospital are in compliance with mandatory training requirements.
• Ensure all staff within the hospital have met and signed off on their annual continuous professional development plans.
• Keep abreast of changes in employment legislation and current HR issues together with actively enhancing your professional development.
• Be responsible for people management and support the use of management tools and initiatives such as Team Based Performance Management, Key Performance Indicators, Continuous Professional Development, Legal Framework and Learning Needs analysis.

Person Specification:

Factors

Qualifications:

Degree or higher qualification in HR.

Minimum 5 years experience in HR with the last 2 working in a senior HR Business Partner or equivalent senior role in a HR environment.

2 years demonstrated IR and ER experience backed up with excellent education/knowledge of employment law.

CIPD Membership.

Experience in a Healthcare setting an advantage.

Continuous Professional Development in Employment Law an advantage.

Experience:

HR Related Experience.

Use of MS Packages. Proficiency in MS Excel.

Data Analysis and reports.

Experience of HR Management in a healthcare / public sector setting.

Working with HR / Payroll Management Information Systems.

Skills:

Understanding of employment law, legislation and HR “best practice”.

Knowledge of the organisation structure and good working knowledge of HRMIS systems.

Demonstrates ability to manage multiple demands and competing priorities in a proactive and flexible manner.

Demonstrates experience of using appropriate systems to manage and co-ordinate workload.

Excellent planning and co-ordinating skills.

Demonstrates proven performance in providing excellence in customer care on a continuous basis.

Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Demonstrates empathy and understanding with service users in delivering a quality service.

Pays close and accurate attention to detail in personal work.

Demonstrates experience in problem solving and decision-making.

Demonstrates diplomacy and tact when influencing others.

Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.

Ability to work as part of a team or on their own initiative.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Confident and assertive.

Presentation Skills.

Excellent IT skills with intermediate proficiency in MS Office applications.

Experience of HRMIS Workday would be an advantage.

The Bon Secours Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

As Ireland’s largest independent hospital group, Bon Secours Health System CLG (Registered Charity No.20027841) is renowned for the quality of its service provision coupled with a rich tradition in healthcare. Bon Secours Health System CLG is a not for profit organisation with its mission centred on providing compassionate, world class medical treatment to all those it serves. With 3,000 staff, 450 leading consultants, Bon Secours treats in excess of 280,000 patients annually in its 5 modern acute hospitals in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Tralee and Dublin as well as a Care Village in Cork. It is one of the largest providers of private healthcare in Ireland. Bon Secours Health System is internationally accredited by the Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards for Hospital (JCI), the leading organisation in the international accreditation of hospitals for quality and patient safety.