Head of Talent

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

With effect from 01 April 2026, NHS Scotland is reducing its full time working week from 37 to 36 hours per week, there will be no change in full time pay.

NHS Tayside’s People & Culture Directorate are recruiting to Head of Talent Acquisition. This is an exciting role that will involve leading the delivery of an effective Recruitment, Medical Staffing, Staff Bank and Employability service for NHS Tayside offering the unique opportunity to not only shape the experience of all our staff and potential applicants, but to also support managers to enhance and reshape services delivered to the population of Tayside.

The People & Culture Directorate provides a comprehensive range of services to approximately 14,000 employees, covering locations across Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross.

As the Head of Talent, you will provide strong leadership to large diverse teams supporting and encouraging workforce transformation initiatives which promote clinical and service excellence. You will ensure the organisation is supported by a highly capable and professional HR team, bringing a drive for results and success. With a particular focus on Talent Acquisition, Employability and Attraction strategy, you will lead the development and application of effective and dynamic strategies, which are positive, proactive and focused on the delivery of the Board’s strategic and operational priorities.

You will act as a senior source of expert HR advice providing professional knowledge across this portfolio, supporting leaders across NHS Tayside, up to and including Board Executives.

You will provide excellent leadership, working in partnership with senior managers, partnership representatives and recognised trade unions to lead the delivery of an All-Staff Bank, Employability, Recruitment and Attraction Service and Medical Staffing function, working with service managers to enhance and deliver upon their workforce plans, which meets national and local drivers and legislation.

You will work collaboratively with all our HR functions so that best HR practice can be identified, implemented and reviewed and hold responsibility for this large diverse HR portfolio, ensuring high quality governance for NHS Tayside.

We are seeking a leader with a strong track record of delivering impactful People and Culture outcomes in complex, high volume and multi‑professional environments. You will bring senior HR leadership experience within the NHS or a similarly complex organisation.

We welcome applications from leaders across sectors who can bring fresh thinking and experience in influencing and implementing strategic plans. You will be an HR professional who leads by example in fostering genuine partnership working and cultivates strong, trust‑based relationships with staff-side colleagues and service users.

You will contribute active leadership at both regional and national levels and you will naturally lead by fostering a culture where equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are truly lived values.

To arrange informal discussion please contact:
Kevin Colcough, Deputy Director of People & Culture on kevin.colclough1t

Short-listed applicants will be contacted by email. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder.

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