Job summary
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, values driven and strategic people leader to join our large, ambitious NHS Trust and our newly formed Hospital Group.
Here at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) our 7000 people serve a local population of around 600,000 via our integrated acute, community and primary care services. We are proud to have been recently rated 'Good' by the CQC for well led, providing a strong foundation for our next phase of transformation. We want a future of improved health and life chances for local people and see our role in that as the anchor organisation locally. Our values, ambition, respect and compassion guide everything we do.
We are seeking an exceptional Director of People and OD, reporting to the Group Chief People Officer. You will lead the People and OD agenda for SWB, while contributing to the wider Group workforce strategy across both Sandwell & West Birmingham (SWB) and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (DGFT). This is a SWB based leadership role with the opportunity to work across and help shape our newly formed Group.
Stakeholder panel : 4th June 2026
Interviews : 5th June 2026
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an experienced professional who can bring the energy and credibility needed to take our staff with us through the next phase of transformation, ensuring the Trust is fit for the future.
You will play a central role in shaping a compassionate, inclusive and high performing culture, leading workforce strategy, strengthening leadership capability and improving staff experience. You will drive transformation, champion EDI, embed a Just and Learning Culture, and foster strong partnerships with trade unions and staff networks. You will support continuous improvement, innovation and collaboration with academic and clinical partners, strengthening education, research and development. You will also enhance the use of workforce intelligence, optimise digital systems and ensure data driven decision making underpins strategic workforce planning, productivity and long term sustainability.
This is a high impact role for a forward-thinking leader ready to shape culture, drive change and support our people to deliver outstanding care.
About us
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country - one of the country's most culturally diverse areas. It's a friendly and welcoming place - a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.
We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.
Our values - Ambition, Respect and Compassion - are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.
Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is to "Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population." It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It's what makes us unique.
We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose. When we say we're 'with you all the way' we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Director of People and OD will play a critical role in delivering the Trusts vision, leadership and strategic direction under the Executive oversight of the Group Chief People Officer (CPO), supporting improvements in workforce quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
The postholder will ensure that the Trusts people agenda is fully aligned with Group expectations for standardisation, shared practice and workforce efficiency, contributing to joint programmes of improvement and the delivery of a unified operating model.
hey will lead Trustlevel workforce strategy development and implementation, working collaboratively with the Group CPO and the Director of People and OD at DGFT to maximise opportunities for shared improvement and aligned working.
The Director of People and OD will drive workforce improvements and embed a culture where staff feel supported, empowered and valued. Working closely with Trust leadership teams, they will strengthen people leadership capability through training, development, highquality OD support and the optimisation of digital people systems and processes.
They will provide visible, credible leadership to enhance staff engagement, culture and values, using OD approaches, strong people management practices, leadership development and talent management.
The postholder will work closely with the Director of People & OD (DGFT) to optimise ESR functionality, support e-rostering improvements and enable greater automation of People processes, supporting the wider digital workforce transformation agenda.
The Director of People and OD holds senior leadership responsibility for championing inclusion, fairness and equality, ensuring all staff have the opportunity to grow and succeed. They will contribute to improvements in workforce productivity, digital transformation, talent development and People strategies that underpin highquality patient care.They will lead workforce and education transformation, addressing recruitment and retention challenges and working with the Director of People and OD in DGFT to develop talent across the Group. The postholder will also work with partners across the ICS to identify innovative ways to enhance the experience of staff, patients and the wider population
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Director of People and OD will play a critical role in delivering the Trusts vision, leadership and strategic direction under the Executive oversight of the Group Chief People Officer (CPO), supporting improvements in workforce quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
The postholder will ensure that the Trusts people agenda is fully aligned with Group expectations for standardisation, shared practice and workforce efficiency, contributing to joint programmes of improvement and the delivery of a unified operating model.
hey will lead Trustlevel workforce strategy development and implementation, working collaboratively with the Group CPO and the Director of People and OD at DGFT to maximise opportunities for shared improvement and aligned working.
The Director of People and OD will drive workforce improvements and embed a culture where staff feel supported, empowered and valued. Working closely with Trust leadership teams, they will strengthen people leadership capability through training, development, highquality OD support and the optimisation of digital people systems and processes.
They will provide visible, credible leadership to enhance staff engagement, culture and values, using OD approaches, strong people management practices, leadership development and talent management.
The postholder will work closely with the Director of People & OD (DGFT) to optimise ESR functionality, support e-rostering improvements and enable greater automation of People processes, supporting the wider digital workforce transformation agenda.
The Director of People and OD holds senior leadership responsibility for championing inclusion, fairness and equality, ensuring all staff have the opportunity to grow and succeed. They will contribute to improvements in workforce productivity, digital transformation, talent development and People strategies that underpin highquality patient care.They will lead workforce and education transformation, addressing recruitment and retention challenges and working with the Director of People and OD in DGFT to develop talent across the Group. The postholder will also work with partners across the ICS to identify innovative ways to enhance the experience of staff, patients and the wider population
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level or equivalent experience with appropriate postgraduate qualifications
- Appropriate professional qualification e.g., CIPD Fellowship Evidence of continued professional development
Experience
Essential
- Director or Deputy Director experience within a large and complex public sector organisation
- Experience of working closely and effectively with trade unions
- Experience of working with staff at all levels, including at executive and Board level
- Evidence of leading strategic culture change and transformation programmes in a large and complex organisation
- Evidence of an ability to develop, lead and articulate strategic workforce interventions
Essential Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to think strategically
- Ability to develop strong working relationships and to motivate staff and others
- Ability to draft high quality Executive and Board level papers
Key Compentencies
Essential
- A high degree of self-awareness, and being sensitive to the needs, values and beliefs of others in personal interactions
- A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards, the values of public service and the NHS and the core values and behaviours of the Trust
Management, Supvervision and Coordination Skills
Essential
- Dynamic, passionate, open, participative and supportive leadership style
- Team builder, able to delegate and hold colleagues to account for high standards
- Strategic vision and planning
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the business drivers for effective people delivery, including an understanding of the NHS People Plan
- Knowledge of current and developing thinking in organisation development and change management
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level or equivalent experience with appropriate postgraduate qualifications
- Appropriate professional qualification e.g., CIPD Fellowship Evidence of continued professional development
Experience
Essential
- Director or Deputy Director experience within a large and complex public sector organisation
- Experience of working closely and effectively with trade unions
- Experience of working with staff at all levels, including at executive and Board level
- Evidence of leading strategic culture change and transformation programmes in a large and complex organisation
- Evidence of an ability to develop, lead and articulate strategic workforce interventions
Essential Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to think strategically
- Ability to develop strong working relationships and to motivate staff and others
- Ability to draft high quality Executive and Board level papers
Key Compentencies
Essential
- A high degree of self-awareness, and being sensitive to the needs, values and beliefs of others in personal interactions
- A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards, the values of public service and the NHS and the core values and behaviours of the Trust
Management, Supvervision and Coordination Skills
Essential
- Dynamic, passionate, open, participative and supportive leadership style
- Team builder, able to delegate and hold colleagues to account for high standards
- Strategic vision and planning
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the business drivers for effective people delivery, including an understanding of the NHS People Plan
- Knowledge of current and developing thinking in organisation development and change management
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).
