Job summary
Are you passionate about people and enabling them to provide outstanding care? Do you want to work for a forward-thinking, dynamic acute and community services provider? Are you excited by the opportunity to reshape the workforce alongside partners and redefine how healthcare is delivered?
If so, we are recruiting our next Chief People Officer -- a pivotal role on our Executive Team and Trust Board -- at one of the most exciting times in our history.
We are seeking an outstanding and talented leader to hold overall responsibility for the Trust's People function, driving transformation to make Frimley Health the best, most inclusive place to work in the NHS. You will inspire colleagues, build strong partnerships, and lead innovation to ensure our workforce is ready for the future.
We value leaders who are bold, compassionate and innovative -- and who can bring fresh perspectives from any sector.
This is a hybrid role, combining on-site presence with home working. As the Trust operates across multiple locations, regular travel between sites will be required.
Main duties of the job
As our Chief People Officer, you will:
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Lead the Trust's People function from recruitment through to colleague development, retention, and wellbeing.
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Shape and deliver an ambitious People Strategy aligned to our FHFT 2030 vision.
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Oversee strategic workforce planning, ensuring the right people, skills, and culture are in place to meet current and future needs.
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Drive equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the organisation.
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Build strong partnerships internally and externally to develop innovative workforce solutions.
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Lead workforce transformation to support the New Hospital Programme and other major change initiatives.
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Champion digital innovation across People Services -- using technology to improve efficiency, insight, and colleague experience while ensuring personal connection and human support remain at the heart of our approach.
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Inspire and empower leaders to role model our values and create a positive working culture.
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Ensure the delivery of high-quality people services to all colleagues.
About us
FHFT is one of the largest NHS providers in England, with:
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£1.1bn turnover with 12,000 WTE colleagues
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CQC "Good" rating
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Strong Staff Survey results
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Wide range of learning and development opportunities
We have a strong track record of achievement and innovation, underpinned by our values:
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Committed to excellence - in everything we do
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Working together - across teams and with partners
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Facing the future - with innovation and ambition
We have a bold vision for the future, set out in our FHFT 2030 strategy, aligned with the Government's three strategic shifts and the NHS Long Term Plan.
We are also in wave 1 of the New Hospital Programme, designing and building a brand new £1.8bn Frimley Park Hospital, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform healthcare for our communities.
Why join us?
You will be joining Trust with a strong reputation for excellence, innovation and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity to shape the workforce strategy for one of the most ambitious NHS trusts in the country, at a time of significant transformation.
As Chief People Officer, you will have:
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The platform to influence and shape healthcare delivery for our communities for decades to come.
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The chance to lead workforce planning for the New Hospital Programme.
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A values-driven culture where inclusion, teamwork and forward thinking are at the heart of everything we do.
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The support of a committed and collaborative Board and Executive Team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Chief People Officer is responsible for providing strategic leadership for all aspects of the Trusts People Services function, ensuring we are an employer of choice and delivering workforce strategies that enable excellent patient care.
Strategic Leadership
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Provide expert advice to the Board and Executive Team on all people matters.
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Lead the development and delivery of the Trusts People Strategy in alignment with organisational goals.
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Champion a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Workforce Transformation & Innovation
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Oversee workforce planning to ensure capacity and capability for future services.
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Lead workforce change programmes, including those linked to the New Hospital Programme.
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Champion digital innovation across People Services using technology to improve efficiency, insight, and colleague experience while ensuring personal connection and human support remain at the heart of our approach.
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Embed modern, evidence-based approaches into workforce models and processes.
Inclusion, Wellbeing & Engagement
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Ensure the Trust is an inclusive employer with a strong focus on colleague wellbeing.
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Promote and deliver on the NHS People Promise.
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Use staff survey results and colleague feedback to drive improvement.
Leadership & Governance
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Build strong partnerships with trade unions, professional bodies, and external stakeholders.
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Ensure compliance with employment law, NHS policy, and regulatory requirements.
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Lead, develop and motivate the People Services team.
Full job description, person specification and additional details are attached to this advert, or via our Candidate Pack
Recruitment Timeline
Closing Date: 7th September 2025
Shortlisting Date: 11th September 2025
Selection Day: 7th October 2025
The selection day will be face to face at Greenwood Offices, Heatherwood Hospital site and includes a panel interview, presentation and focus groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Chief People Officer is responsible for providing strategic leadership for all aspects of the Trusts People Services function, ensuring we are an employer of choice and delivering workforce strategies that enable excellent patient care.
Strategic Leadership
-
Provide expert advice to the Board and Executive Team on all people matters.
-
Lead the development and delivery of the Trusts People Strategy in alignment with organisational goals.
-
Champion a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Workforce Transformation & Innovation
-
Oversee workforce planning to ensure capacity and capability for future services.
-
Lead workforce change programmes, including those linked to the New Hospital Programme.
-
Champion digital innovation across People Services using technology to improve efficiency, insight, and colleague experience while ensuring personal connection and human support remain at the heart of our approach.
-
Embed modern, evidence-based approaches into workforce models and processes.
Inclusion, Wellbeing & Engagement
-
Ensure the Trust is an inclusive employer with a strong focus on colleague wellbeing.
-
Promote and deliver on the NHS People Promise.
-
Use staff survey results and colleague feedback to drive improvement.
Leadership & Governance
-
Build strong partnerships with trade unions, professional bodies, and external stakeholders.
-
Ensure compliance with employment law, NHS policy, and regulatory requirements.
-
Lead, develop and motivate the People Services team.
Full job description, person specification and additional details are attached to this advert, or via our Candidate Pack
Recruitment Timeline
Closing Date: 7th September 2025
Shortlisting Date: 11th September 2025
Selection Day: 7th October 2025
The selection day will be face to face at Greenwood Offices, Heatherwood Hospital site and includes a panel interview, presentation and focus groups.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD
- Degree or equivalent experience and knowledge
- Evidence of recent management and leadership development
- Evidence of continued professional development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable track record of leading human resources and organisational development functions within a senior role
- Demonstrable experience of leading on and implementing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at both strategic and operational levels
- Experience of workforce planning and modelling methodologies
- Demonstrable record of developing high-performing teams
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of human resources practices
- Strategic thinker, with highly developed interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills
- Understanding of the financial challenges facing the NHS
- Politically astute, with the ability to exercise judgement around complex and reputationally sensitive issues
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, challenge and inspire others
- Clear commitment to promoting and maintaining honesty, openness, integrity and the highest of professional standards
- Empowering and compassionate leadership style
- Clear commitment to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion run through all that you do
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD
- Degree or equivalent experience and knowledge
- Evidence of recent management and leadership development
- Evidence of continued professional development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable track record of leading human resources and organisational development functions within a senior role
- Demonstrable experience of leading on and implementing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at both strategic and operational levels
- Experience of workforce planning and modelling methodologies
- Demonstrable record of developing high-performing teams
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of human resources practices
- Strategic thinker, with highly developed interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills
- Understanding of the financial challenges facing the NHS
- Politically astute, with the ability to exercise judgement around complex and reputationally sensitive issues
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, challenge and inspire others
- Clear commitment to promoting and maintaining honesty, openness, integrity and the highest of professional standards
- Empowering and compassionate leadership style
- Clear commitment to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion run through all that you do
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
