Job Summary
We are seeking to appoint a permanent Chief People Officer to join an ambitious, values-driven and well-established board of directors who want to make a difference and deliver our aim of providing outstanding physical, mental and social care in a modern health and social care system.
The successful candidate will bring capability and enthusiasm to support our ambitious vision within the context of significant change, transformation and opportunity both within the organisation, the region and the wider NHS. They must demonstrate experience of working in or with large, complex organisations, engage positively and collaboratively at all levels, possess strong relationship‑management and influencing skills, make autonomous decisions, deliver quality and excellence, and embrace the values of the Trust.
They must have an excellent track record of success at director or senior level and experience of partnership working across complex systems. We seek an exceptional, inspirational leader committed to high‑quality care, continuous improvement and enhancing the Trust’s reputation.
Responsibilities
As an executive director, you will make a significant contribution to the strategic leadership and direction of the Trust overall, providing strong professional leadership to the Trust’s People Services. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will:
* Provide strategic leadership across all aspects of our People and Organisational Development agenda.
* Drive workforce transformation and delivery, ensuring the Trust is future‑ready and our people are supported to deliver exceptional care.
* Act as a role model for the Trust’s vision and values, designing, developing and implementing the People Strategy and strategic workforce plans that support the Trust’s purpose, direction and objectives.
* Advise the Trust Board and Chief Executive on complex national and local employment matters, policy decisions, strategies and targets, ensuring statutory compliance.
* Ensure effective training, education structures and processes to support safe, compassionate and modern services.
* Support an open, engaging and inclusive culture that encourages clinical excellence, facilitates multidisciplinary care and promotes partnership working.
* Act as a partner within each place and integrated care system the Trust operates.
Key Result Areas
* Executive Director Responsibilities – Provide strategic leadership at Board level, ensuring governance, financial sustainability and delivery of organisational objectives while maintaining accountability for workforce, OD and EDI matters.
* Strategic HR – Develop and implement a transformative People Strategy that strengthens employee experience, workforce innovation, employer reputation and compliance with national standards.
* Workforce Planning – Provide strategic oversight of comprehensive workforce planning, ensuring future‑focused models, strong talent pipelines and alignment with strategic and financial plans.
* Talent Management and Succession Planning – Ensure robust talent management, succession planning and senior leadership development programmes.
* Education and Learning – Oversight of teaching, learning and development agenda to build leadership capability, deliver high‑quality training and strengthen partnerships.
* Human Resource Management – Professional leadership for HR, OD and EDI functions, ensuring inclusive, evidence‑based policies and processes that support our values and behaviours.
* Organisational Development – Strategic oversight of OD plans to enable a compassionate, inclusive and improvement‑focused culture.
* Modern and Effective People Services – Ensure high‑quality, digitally enabled People Services that use data and modern systems to drive performance, workforce insights and employee experience.
* Employee Health and Wellbeing – Strategic oversight of a comprehensive wellbeing agenda that promotes compassionate leadership, psychological safety and data‑informed actions to enhance health, wellbeing and attendance.
Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential)
* Masters degree or further postgraduate professional qualification (or equivalent gained through experience) in a related subject.
* Evidence of continuous and proactive professional, leadership and personal development.
* Chartered Fellow CIPD.
Personal Attributes (Essential)
* Acts as a role model for NHS and Trust values.
* Compassionate leader.
* Acts with integrity, honesty and self‑awareness.
* Visible and approachable.
* Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.
* Able to travel to Trust sites as required.
Special Knowledge / Skills (Essential)
* Able to lead transformational change and organisational development.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills – articulate vision clearly, explain complex information and influence stakeholders across multiple channels.
* Establish effective, collaborative partnership relationships with stakeholders.
* Make sound judgments in the face of competing priorities and complex scenarios.
* Robust analytical skills, assimilating and using complex data for data‑driven decisions.
* Inspire, motivate and lead others at all levels.
* Work effectively as part of a unified executive team and a unitary Board.
* Maintain professional credibility with peers and stakeholders.
Desirable
* In‑depth knowledge of the NHS Long Term Plan, oversight and regulatory frameworks, the NHS People Promise and key national people issues.
* Understanding of different environments in which the Trust operates – assess opportunities for innovation, revenue generation, partnership and enhanced care.
Experience (Essential)
* Previous, successful senior people and organisational development leadership experience at or just below Board level in a highly complex organisation.
* Substantial senior leadership experience in a complex healthcare, public service or other public‑facing, regulated organisation.
* Proven experience of leading service development or change management in a complex organisation.
* Experience in the development and delivery of transformational OD interventions.
* Proven track record of building, leading and managing high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary teams.
* Substantial experience of effective budget management across multiple services.
* Proven experience of working in partnership internally and with external partners and stakeholders.
* Proven experience of promoting and delivering equality, diversity and inclusion.
Experience (Desirable)
* Experience of successful system leadership or leadership across multiple or multi‑site organisations.
* Experience of working with partners to develop or lead shared service models.
Additional Information
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content is strongly discouraged; we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
At the time of advertising, this role meets the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups; we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
We may close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Employer Details
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Fieldhead Hospital
Ouchthorpe Lane
Wakefield
WF13SP
Employer website
Job Details
Date posted: 16 February 2026
Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9378-QA01442
Job locations: Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, WF13SP
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