Workforce Development Manager

Job summary

Primary Care Dental Service. Workforce Development Manager

Band 7 | Primary Care Dental Services, Somerset and Dorset | Hybrid working

A unique opportunity to shape people, culture and services

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?

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 of the job

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.

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.

About us

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:

• 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.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce , and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

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.

Details

Date posted

13 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

49,387 to 56,515 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-6270

Job locations

Community Dental Bridgwater

2-4 Taunton Road

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 3LS

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 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

Essential

• 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.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of working within the NHS

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Access to vehicle for travelling within and outside the Trust boundaries

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 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

Essential

• 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.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of working within the NHS

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Access to vehicle for travelling within and outside the Trust boundaries

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Community Dental Bridgwater

2-4 Taunton Road

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 3LS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Community Dental Bridgwater

2-4 Taunton Road

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 3LS

United Kingdom

Employer's website