Go back Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Chief People Officer
The closing date is 19 April 2026
**Interviews will be held on 18th and/or 19th May**
This is an opportunity to join Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), as we strengthen partnerships with neighbouring providers, expand our children's public health services, implement a new electronic patient record system, and deliver a major capital programme. This role will be key in driving our strategy, ensuring high-quality care, and creating the environment for our people to thrive.
We are seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer who shares our values, our commitment to outstanding patient experience and our ambition to continually improve as a healthcare provider. As a key member of the Executive Team and Board of Directors, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across our hospital-based and community services. You will play a central role in shaping the Trust's future direction, ensuring we deliver safe, effective and compassionate care throughout our services.
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is motivated by the chance to make a meaningful impact. HDFT is a place where you can continue to grow your career while contributing to our vision of being an exceptional healthcare provider and a first‑class employer.
Main duties of the job
The Chief People Officer plays a significant leadership role, as an Executive Director and a voting member of the Board of Directors. You will make a very significant contribution to the strategic leadership and direction of the Trust overall, whilst leading and being accountable for the Trust's organisational and cultural development.
As a senior leader and an Executive Director of the Trust, you will inspire confidence through your knowledge and expertise. You will provide senior leadership across human resources, workforce and organisational development, equality, diversity, and inclusion, and offer advice to the Board, the Executive, and the wider organisation.
You will work as part of the Executive team to promote and continually improve the quality, safety, experience of patients and ensuring good use of resources by optimising productivity and reducing waste. You will be part of our team of Executive Directors who demonstrate highly visible collective leadership and will embrace our values and lead by example to support the development of a positive culture across the Trust.
About us
HDFT is an integrated provider of acute, community, and children and young people's public health services. We serve a core population of approximately 316,000 across Harrogate, the surrounding district, and parts of Leeds, alongside delivering community services across North Yorkshire (c.621,000 population).
We are also one of the largest providers of children's public health services in England, supporting over 700,000 children and young people across the North of England, working in partnership with multiple local authorities.
Job responsibilities
For more information about Trust and the duties and responsibilities of this role, please see the candidate pack attached.
Qualifications
* Relevant CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent Master's Degree
* Evidence of continued personal and professional development
Experience
* A successful track record of leadership and senior management within an NHS Trust or a complex organisation relevant to an NHS Trust
* Proven track record of partnership working to improve services
* Evidence of improving performance and building and leading successful teams
* Evidence of leading and supporting improvement and successful change
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.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
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