Chief People Officer

Integrated Care System; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Chief People Officer to lead the Trust's People function, influencing workforce strategy and culture. You will be responsible for driving inclusion, workforce planning, and collaboration across teams to support healthcare delivery. This hybrid role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of NHS workforce development while ensuring high-quality people services are delivered.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable track record of leading HR and organizational development in senior roles.
• Experience of implementing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of HR practices and methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust's People function from recruitment to colleague development.
• Champion digital innovation in People Services.
• Oversee workforce planning for the New Hospital Programme.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Human resources knowledge

Education

Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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:

Lead the Trust's People function from recruitment through to colleague development, retention, and wellbeing.

Shape and deliver an ambitious People Strategy aligned to our FHFT 2030 vision.

Oversee strategic workforce planning, ensuring the right people, skills, and culture are in place to meet current and future needs.

Drive equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the organisation.

Build strong partnerships internally and externally to develop innovative workforce solutions.

Lead workforce transformation to support the New HospitalProgramme and other major change initiatives.

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.

Inspire and empower leaders to role model our values and create a positive working culture.

Ensure the delivery of high-quality people services to all colleagues.

About us

FHFT is one of the largest NHS providers in England, with:

£1.1bn turnover with 12,000 WTE colleagues

CQC "Good" rating

Strong Staff Survey results

Wide range of learning and development opportunities

We have a strong track record of achievement and innovation, underpinned by our values:

Committed to excellence - in everything we do

Working together - across teams and with partners

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.

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:

The platform to influence and shape healthcare delivery for our communities for decades to come.

The chance to lead workforce planning for the New Hospital Programme.

A values-driven culture where inclusion, teamwork and forward thinking are at the heart of everything we do.

The support of a committed and collaborative Board and Executive Team.

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.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

Depending on experienceAs per Very senior managers (VSM) pay framework