Chief People Officer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Workforce Transformation and Delivery

Lead delivery of the workforce aspects of the NHS 10-year plan, including exploration and implementation of innovative workforce models that enable and empower left shift (out of hospital, prevention, community care) in partnership with clinical and operational leaders.

Partner with system and regional HR leaders to share best practices and accelerate adoption of new workforce solutions.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Champion a Trust-wide approach to EDI, driving cultural change so University Hospitals Plymouth is an employer where everyone can thrive.

Oversee the design and delivery of EDI programmes with impact, from recruitment practices to career progression pathways.

Support the Trust in meeting and exceeding statutory equalities duties and foster a workplace free from discrimination and disadvantage.

Integrate social value and anchor institution principlesusing the Trusts position to promote local employment, inequalities reduction, apprenticeships, and community impact.

HR Systems, Processes, and Manager Empowerment

Establish and embed consistently high standards of HR systems and processes that support managers to lead, develop, and support their teams.

Drive continued digital innovation in HR, ensuring managers and staff have accessible and effective tools for people management across the employee lifecycle.

Work closely with our CDIO on innovative models for process automation to enable more efficient ways of working.

Leadership Capability Development

Strengthen leadership and management capability at all levels of the Trust through targeted training, development programmes, and interventions.

Develop and deliver succession plans and talent pipelines for critical roles.

Lead the Board and senior leadership team development, creating an environment of high trust, ambition, and accountability.

Digital Transformation and Workforce Analytics

Lead adoption of digital HR technologies (e.g., e-rostering, automation, AI-enabled talent management) to enhance operational efficiency and staff experience.

Champion workforce analytics, using data to drive decisions on recruitment, retention, wellbeing, and productivity.

Organisational Development

Lead, model, and enable the Trusts journey toward inclusion and compassionate culturefrom strategy to delivery.

Design and commission OD programmes and initiatives that drive organisational change, staff wellbeing and engagement, and outstanding patient care.

Adapt reward and recognition frameworks to incentivise and embed Trust values.

Teaching and Learning

Work closely with the CMO and CNO to create an integrated Education and learning function catering for the needs of all sections of the workforce, to go live in 2026/7, ensuring excellence in clinical, managerial, and professional development.

Forge strong partnerships with education providers and system partners to attract, retain, and continually develop the best talent.

Workforce Planning and Performance

Develop and deliver strategic and operational workforce plans, proactively forecasting needs now and for the future.

Oversee recruitment and retention strategies for a diverse, skilled workforce.

Monitor and report workforce performance metrics to Board and managers.

Staff Voice and Co-production

Promote productive partnership working with staff and trades unions.

Lead improvements in staff satisfaction through regular engagement and responsive action.

Amplify direct staff voice, involvement, and co-production in policy, practice, and culture, going beyond consultation to genuine empowerment.

People Leadership

Provide professional leadership, vision, and direction for the Trusts Operational HR Services, Medical Workforce, Employee Relations, EDI, and Organisational Development.

Advise the CEO, Board and senior leaders on sensitive workforce matters.

Set and monitor the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and compliance in all people actions.

Strategic engagement

Provide executive leadership for People workstreams and projects for the One Devon and working collaboratively with system partners across Devon and Cornwall and beyond.

Contribute to and lead elements of the implementation of the system-wide People Plan.

Proactively engage with the South West and national CPO networks to ensure engagement and relevant leaning from best practice.

Executive Director Responsibilities

Contribute fully to the Trusts overall strategy, Board effectiveness, and achievement of strategic and financial objectives including leadership of wider workstreams to support financial sustainability alongside delivery on year-on-year efficiencies within the workforce function.

Maintain Board-level oversight and accountability for all corporate HR, organisational development, and EDI matters.

Participate in the Executive Director on-call Rota.

Maintain eligibility with Fit & Proper Persons Requirements.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent
• Evidence of continuing professional development, with project management/leadership being particularly desirable
• Good knowledge of NHS regulatory frameworks, safety, financial procedures and statutory regulations
• CIPD Fellow

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Track record of successful organisation wide project management, including as Senior Responsible Office (SRO)/Sponsor of significant, formal programmes and projects
• Substantial change management capability with proven and measurable results, based on and promoting positive culture and organisational values
• Highly developed leadership, negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to motivate and engage individuals
• Demonstrable understanding of the structure and framework of the NHS and how the Trust delivers care within this
• Ability to use quantitative and qualitative information to stimulate performance improvement and provide assurance on data integrity
• Ability to think laterally and creatively to develop innovative plans and identify new business opportunities, commercial acumen
• Ability to set out a clear direction, inspire others and assume command
• Ability to grasp critical issues and distil them into clear and manageable priorities, weighing both the costs and benefits
• Understanding of different environments in which the Trust operates - ability to assess opportunities for innovation, revenue generation, partnership and enhanced care

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of formal management development
• Proven previous demonstrable experience leading organisations to drive improvements in leadership, preferably in NHS organisations
• Proven knowledge of the NHS financial regime and probity, and considerable proven experience of budgetary management
• Proven track record of strategic HR, OD and workforce management and delivery at a senior level in a large, complex, service-focused organisation, including staff management, change management, performance management, and service improvement
• Thorough proven knowledge and understanding of the concepts and practices of integrated workforce planning in complex organisations, analysing, synthesising and using complex data as the basis for strategic and tactical decisions, and scenario planning
• Demonstrable experience of consultation, negotiation and influencing different stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of building personal and professional credibility with Board, Management Team, staff, the public and the media
• Demonstrable experience of substantial management responsibility, built on extensive knowledge and understanding of financial, management and clinical issues associated with a large NHS Trust
• Demonstrable experience of designing and implementing consistent HR systems and processes that empower managers

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)