Executive Chief People OfficerNHS
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Director to join our Executive Leadership Team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to lead and develop our people, culture and workforce agenda.
The Executive Chief People Officer will have a remit in relation to being strategic leader for a range of innovative people, workforce and organisational development strategies which will support our improvement and culture journey.
As the strategic lead, the Executive Chief People Officer is accountable for all matters relating to people, culture and workforce for the Trust
Main duties of the job
The Executive Chief People Officer will have a wide ranging portfolio across a range of People and Culture functions with the opportunity to lead the development and implementation of the Trust's new People and Culture Strategy which needs to be underpinned with a programme of transformation which reflects the opportunities for improvement that the Trust has embarked on.
Working with the wider executive team and external stakeholders, you will focus on building a culture of providing safe and effective high quality care for our patients and staff at County Durham and Darlington.
The postholder will play a leading role in working with senior leaders and partners in transforming the Trusts approach to care, ensuring that our people are at the heart of our new clinical strategy that we have started to develop.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact: Steve Russell, CEO, CDDFT. [email protected]
Closing date: Thursday 3rd September 2026 (0900 hours)
Interview date: Wednesday 16th September 2026
Job description
Working closely with colleagues in the Executive Team, you will lead our people, culture and workforce agenda, focusing on the 10 year plans ambition and leading the development of our strategy with a focus on integration, improving the wellbeing of our population and providing excellent hospital and community services for our patients. As an experienced senior leader you will be responsible for ensuring that the Trust has the right people, culture and workforce strategies and services in place to ensure that patient care is delivered to the highest possible standards across the organisation. You are expected to represent the organisation externally and play a leadership role for the Trust with stakeholders and partners.
The ideal candidate will be a successful experienced people professional with significant operational and transformation experience within a complex public sector organisation and system experience would be an advantage.
As a key leader in our organisation, you will have a track record in matrix working, leading successful teams and services. You will play a vital role in delivering our ambitious agenda, supporting the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive in developing the organisations future strategy to ensure that the Trust can provide high quality services which are fit for the future for the population of Durham and Darlington.
This role is part of the Executive Leadership Team reporting directly to the Chief Executive.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
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