Kerry Smith
Newcastle under Lyme,Staffordshire
Summary
A passionate and compassionate NHS Leader and highly skilled people professional with expertise in strategic policy development, change management, inclusion and belonging, talent management, health and wellbeing and workforce planning. Demonstrates strong critical-thinking, resilience under pressure, and cultural awareness. Adept at policy formulation and leadership development with a deep understanding of UK employment laws. Committed to fostering an inclusive and quality driven culture for all in order to drive organisational transformative HR services and deliver outstanding care for service users.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Interim Chief People Officer
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
, Staffordshire
02.2024 - Current
- Implemented diversity and inclusion programmes to foster a more diverse workforce.
- Created succession plans and promotion paths for staff.
- Facilitated open dialogue sessions between employees and management, leading to increased transparency within the organisation.
- Crafted and managed [Number]+ vacancy advertisements using variety of job portals including Indeed, LinkedIn and Joblift.
- Devised workforce planning strategies to ensure business continuity during periods of change or uncertainty.
- Provided strategic direction for human resources management team.
- Launched health and wellness initiatives contributing towards improved staff wellbeing.
Deputy Chief People Officer
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
10.2021 - 01.2024
- Implemented diversity and inclusion programmes to foster a more diverse workforce.
- Created robust succession plans, guaranteeing business continuity during transitions.
- Oversaw large-scale redundancies/TUPE whilst maintaining high levels of staff morale.
- Advised line managers on correct disciplinary procedures for complex cases to ensure compliant and issue resolution.
- Partnered with senior management to understand strategic objectives and align them with human resources goals thereby creating a unified vision throughout the organisation.
- Provided strategic direction for human resources management team.
- Improved business HR policies by guiding and collaborating with managers.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
- Ensured legal compliance in all HR activities to avoid any potential penalties or lawsuits.
- Developed training programmes to boost team productivity.
- Facilitated conflict resolution sessions leading to harmonious workplace relationships,.
- Oversaw redundancy processes whilst considering employee welfare and legal compliance,.
- Conducted disciplinary hearings, ensuring fair treatment of all employees.
- Developed benefits programme, increasing overall staff satisfaction rate,.
- Devised and implemented successful employee retention strategies, including improved exit interview and onboarding procedures.
Acting Chief People Officer
North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust
07.2022 - 12.2023
Associate Direcotor of Workforce
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare
12.2012 - 10.2021
- Managed and supervised team members, providing mentorship and guidance.
- Optimised resource allocation for maximised productivity.
- Promoted a positive work environment through proactive conflict resolution steps.
- Facilitated staff training programmes, fostering professional growth and skill enhancement.
- Developed organisational HR policies oversight and internal controls.
- Oversaw redundancy procedures whilst maintaining a sensitive approach towards affected employees.
- Monitored evolving regulatory changes and parameters to maintain operational compliance.
- Managed complex disciplinary cases, ensuring fair outcomes for all parties.
- Conducted workforce planning and benchmarking to meet company needs.
- Facilitated new hire on-boarding programme by scheduling training initiatives, resolving issues and processing paperwork.
- Used staff survey findings to implement enhanced working conditions and practices.
- Improved workplace culture through the introduction of flexible working arrangements.
- Developed comprehensive HR policies, promoting a positive work environment.
- Analysed workforce data, identifying trends and areas for improvement in HR practices.
- Provided strategic direction for human resources management team.
Divisional HR Manager
The Shewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, Shropshire
01.2007 - 02.2012
- Used staff survey findings to implement enhanced working conditions and practices.
- Served as liaison between business divisions to facilitate communications.
- Facilitated grievance resolution with professional mediation techniques.
- Advised line managers on correct disciplinary procedures for compliant issue resolution.
- Collaborated with department managers in workforce planning strategies formulation.
- Streamlined HR procedures, resulted in more organised operations.
- Developed company culture with regular staff engagement activities.
- Created succession plans and promotion paths for staff.
- Aligned HR strategies with business goals to drive overall company performance.
Deputy Head of HR
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
01.2010 - 12.2011
- Directed administration and optimisation of financial operations, payroll and accounting processes.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
- Partnered with management team to optimise operations and reduce costs.
- Allocated resources to teams and projects based on need, performance and availability.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of school, guaranteeing smooth and efficient functioning of all departments.
- Managed budget allocations efficiently to ensure optimal resource utilisation.
Senior HR Advisor
South Staffordshire PCT
Rugeley, Staffordshire
07.2007 - 12.2007
- Addressed employee conflicts, following corporate procedures for timely resolution.
- Maintained strict confidentiality whilst handling sensitive personnel data and records.
- Monitored company HR data and trends to assess productivity against [Type] strategy and goals.
- Reviewed and renewed company policies, ensuring strict legal compliance across all business activities.
- Advised line managers on correct disciplinary procedures for compliant issue resolution.
- Assisted in employment relations case work such as [Task] and [Task], seeking positive [Type] outcomes.
HR specialist
The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
Chester, Cheshire
04.2004 - 07.2007
- Collaborated with department heads on workforce planning efforts.
- Facilitated HR workshops to increase staff awareness of best practices.
- Coordinated internal training events for skill development.
- Implemented improved staff development initiatives for maximised employee retention.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of HR legislation for continued regulatory compliance.
- Rolled out HR policies, ensuring legal compliance.
- Provided guidance on employment law to minimise risk.
Programme Co-ordinator
Signpost to Succes - Connexions Careers
Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
03.2003 - 04.2004
- Coordinated educational and career-focused events to engage with potential clients and promote services.
- Delivered effective group and one-to-one advice and guidance sessions to job seekers.
- Designed targeted programmes addressing specific employability areas like networking or negotiation skills.
- Assessed individual needs for personalised job search strategies.
- Organised and conducted mock interviews to help clients prepare for real-world opportunities.
- Managed caseloads of clients whilst maintaining high-quality service standards.
- Guided clients through diverse career transitions and assisted with finding professional development opportunities to improve skillsets.
- Ran small group sessions and large presentations to deliver on aspects of career guidance and education.
- Helped clients to identify and capitalise upon core skills and attributes to showcase value as candidate.
- Facilitated effective CV writing and interview techniques workshops.
HR Advisor
Training for Advancement
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
05.2001 - 03.2003
- Reduced staff turnover through improved performance development programmes.
- Oversaw onboarding process of [Number] [Job title]s from offer of employment to induction.
- Designed industry-leading employee engagement and recognition programmes.
- Coordinated training and development opportunities to elevate [Type] standards and [Type] performance in team of [Number].
- Created and issued contracts of employment for [Number] staff members since [Year].
- Advised line managers on correct disciplinary procedures for compliant issue resolution.
- Improved business HR policies by guiding and collaborating with managers.
- Educated line managers on policy and process changes for implementation.
Education
Level 7 Executive Coaching -
CMI
MA - Strategic Human Resource Management
Staffordshire University
Stoke-on-Trent 09.2009 - 04.2010
CIPD - Level 7 - Professional Management
Staffrodshire University
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire 09.2004 - 04.2006
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Business Studies (specialised in HRM)
Staffordshire University
Stoke-on-Trent 09.1999 - 04.2002
GNVQ Advanced - Business Studies
Stoke on Trent College
Stoke on Trent 09.1997 - 04.1999
GCSEs - Full range of subjects
Sir Thomas Boughey High School
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire 09.1990 - 04.1995
Skills
- Critical-thinking
- Resilience under pressure
- Cultural awareness
- Policy development
- Emotional intelligence
- Talent management and workforce planning
- Change management
- Policy formulation
- Leadership development
- UK employment laws
- Ethical leadership
Certification
- CIPD Fellow
- Graduate NHS Aspiring HR Directors programme
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Interim Chief People Officer
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
02.2024 - Current
Acting Chief People Officer
North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust
07.2022 - 12.2023
Deputy Chief People Officer
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
10.2021 - 01.2024
Associate Direcotor of Workforce
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare
12.2012 - 10.2021
Deputy Head of HR
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
01.2010 - 12.2011
MA - Strategic Human Resource Management
Staffordshire University
09.2009 - 04.2010
Senior HR Advisor
South Staffordshire PCT
07.2007 - 12.2007
Divisional HR Manager
The Shewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
01.2007 - 02.2012
CIPD - Level 7 - Professional Management
Staffrodshire University
09.2004 - 04.2006
HR specialist
The Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
04.2004 - 07.2007
Programme Co-ordinator
Signpost to Succes - Connexions Careers
03.2003 - 04.2004
HR Advisor
Training for Advancement
05.2001 - 03.2003
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Business Studies (specialised in HRM)
Staffordshire University
09.1999 - 04.2002
GNVQ Advanced - Business Studies
Stoke on Trent College
09.1997 - 04.1999
GCSEs - Full range of subjects
Sir Thomas Boughey High School
09.1990 - 04.1995
Level 7 Executive Coaching -
CMI
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