Workforce Development Manager

We are looking for an exceptional Workforce Development Manager to join the senior leadership team within our Primary Care Dental Services across Somerset and Dorset. This is a genuinely unusual and influential role. It isn't a traditional HR position and it isn't a role focused simply on workforce processes. Instead, you will work alongside clinical, operational and professional colleagues to strengthen our workforce, develop our people and help create the conditions in which individuals, teams and services can thrive. There is real breadth to the opportunity. You might be developing a longer-term workforce plan, coaching a manager through a complex situation, exploring what our workforce information is telling us, shaping a recruitment or retention initiative, supporting trainees and apprentices, or leading an improvement project. Sometimes several of those things will need your attention at once. Please note - we welcome informal discussions or visits for this post. Please get in touch! Interviews will be held in person on Thursday 17th December 2026.Main duties, tasks & skills required As our Workforce Development Manager, you will be a key member of the Senior Management Team and will help influence both the strategic direction and operational delivery of our service. Our teams provide specialist dental care to some of the most vulnerable and clinically complex patients across Somerset and Dorset, working across dental clinics, hospitals, domiciliary and residential settings and alongside a wide range of clinical, operational and external partners. Our people are fundamental to the quality of the services we provide. This role is about helping us think ahead: understanding the workforce we have, anticipating what we will need in the future and developing practical ways of attracting, retaining, supporting and developing great people. You don't need to come from dentistry- this is important. You don't need to be a dental professional to be successful in this role. We are looking for someone who combines clear thinking with a genuine commitment to people. Someone curious enough to ask good questions, thoughtful enough to listen properly and confident enough to make a decision when one is needed., The variety is part of what makes this role special. Your portfolio will evolve as the needs of our people and services change, but at different times you can expect to lead and influence work across:

• Workforce planning and the development of a sustainable future workforce;
• Recruitment, retention, induction and talent-pipeline initiatives;
• Apprenticeships, traineeships and development pathways;
• Workforce-related quality improvement and service transformation;
• Management capability, colleague wellbeing, attendance and engagement;
• Workforce intelligence and turning information into meaningful action;
• Positive, inclusive and psychologically safe team cultures;
• Partnerships across health, education, commissioning and workforce organisations; and
• Helping colleagues and services prepare for and successfully adopt new ways of working.
  
  Are you a clear thinker who genuinely cares about people and believes that great workforce development should make a visible difference?
Do you enjoy variety, autonomy and the opportunity to turn ideas into practical action?, You'll need to be comfortable with autonomy and accountability. This is a senior role and we will trust you to use your judgement, organise your own priorities and take ownership of your work. You should be able to look beyond the immediate task, understand the wider context and work out what needs to happen next, including when the answer isn't immediately obvious.,
• Degree or equivalent level of knowledge in service or business related field
• Essential Management or HR relevant qualification or equivalent knowledge in service or business related field
• Full IT literacy with relevant experience or qualifications, Experience of managing and administering service wide processes/databases, identifying challenges and proactively monitoring compliance in order to progress workstreams
• Experience of working with senior staff and in managing confidential HR policies and procedures
• Relevant experience of working at a senior secretarial level or equivalent in a large service
• Demonstrated experience of workforce planning design and delivery
• Demonstrated experience of managing training and development of others in practice
• Demonstrated experience of complex data interpretation to highlight controls such as solutions or mitigating actions
• Evidence of self-development and/or training in administration and/or office practices including update training of software applications., Relevant experience of working within the NHS
  
  At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer, Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.


• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.