Chief People Officer

NHS; Crewe; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An exceptional opportunity for a Chief People Officer at NHS to lead the People agenda across the Trust. This role involves shaping the future services for a population of 300,000, driving organizational change, and empowering staff to excel. The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to patient and population health.

Qualifications

• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience required.
• Chartered CIPD Member status essential.
• Experience in strategy development, leadership, and organizational change is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People agenda across the Trust and Integrated Care System.
• Shape and deliver strategic objectives to empower staff.
• Build credibility and influence at all organizational levels.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Empowerment

Advocacy

Change Management

Education

Masters level qualification or equivalent experience

Chartered CIPD Member

Job description

Job summary

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious Chief People Officer to play a central leadership role in one of the few Trusts to be in wave one of the national New Hospitals Programme. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future services for a population of circa 300,000 and the way they are delivered.

Main duties of the job

The Chief People Officer is a voting member of the Board of Directors and will play a pivotal role in the Executive team, shaping and delivering the People agenda across the Trust, Cheshire, and the wider geography of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. They will be integral in our transition to becoming a truly listening, involving, and empowering organization, as part of our strategic objective 'Empowering our staff to be the best that they can be.' They will build on the work done over the past twelve months to further develop our values and define their underpinning behaviors.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System. As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Details

• Date posted: 23 May 2025
• Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
• Salary: Depending on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 412-Trust-Executive
• Job locations: Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe, CW1 4QJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

An exceptional leader of people is sought, with drive, vision, a strategic mindset, clarity of purpose, and high levels of integrity. Whether an existing or aspiring CPO, values-driven leadership, a collegiate approach, and genuine commitment to patients and population health are essential. They will have the ability to build credibility with, inspire confidence, and demonstrably influence people at all levels.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential):

• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
• Chartered CIPD Member

Desirable:

• Chartered Fellow CIPD member or working towards this level membership

Experience (Essential):

• Evidence of experience in strategy development and implementation in relation to workforce, succession planning, and talent management
• Successful track record in the leadership of people and teams including line management
• Recent experience of leading major organizational change and development
• Working in partnership with unions to deliver effective outcomes

Skills (Essential):

• High degree of political sensitivity and experience of dealing with complex issues within a demanding stakeholder environment
• Able to lead transformation, change management, and organizational development through OD methodologies and approaches
• Ability to establish rapport with and influence clinicians, managers, staff, staff representatives, and professionals from other trusts
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, empowerment, and advocacy skills

Additional considerations

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers requiring 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.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance here.

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. For more information, see NHS Careers.

Employer details: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe, CW1 4QJ. Website: https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/