Chief People Officer

Trades Workforce Solutions; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS organization in Greater Manchester seeks a Chief People Officer to lead the People & Culture agenda for a thriving workforce of 7,000. This strategic role requires a visionary leader committed to transforming organisational culture and enhancing colleague wellbeing. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in complex environments, ideally within the NHS or public sector, and be passionate about fostering a fair and inclusive workplace. Interested applicants should send their CV and cover letter to the provided email by December 15th, 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior People/OD leadership role within the NHS or public sector.
• Proven ability to develop and drive culture and leadership agendas.
• Skilled in workforce planning, modernisation, and organisational development.

Responsibilities

• Shape the People & Culture agenda for a 7,000-strong workforce.
• Provide strategic leadership in workforce planning and development.
• Drive culture change and employee experience initiatives.

Skills

People/OD leadership

Organisational development

Cultural transformation

Workforce redesign

Colleague wellbeing

Leadership development

Collaboration

Job description

Chief People Officer

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL)
Attractive Executive Salary + Benefits

Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester | Hybrid with cross-site presence

A rare opportunity to shape the future of a high-performing NHS organisation.

Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) is seeking an outstanding, people-centred and strategic Chief People Officer to join our Board at a pivotal moment for the organisation, the health system and the borough we proudly serve.

Why join WWL?

WWL is a major teaching Trust with a strong reputation for quality, partnership and innovation. We care for a population of over 329,000, operate from five hospital and community sites, and hold a CQC rating of Good. Our Wrightington Hospital site is internationally recognised for orthopaedic excellence.

But it’s our culture that truly defines us.

We are known for:

• Low turnover and high colleague engagement
• A genuine sense of belonging and purpose
• A collaborative, values-driven Executive Team
• Strong system partnerships across Greater Manchester
• A deep commitment to education, improvement and research
• Our role as an anchor institution, with 70% of colleagues living locally

We are now entering an exciting new chapter, driven by a £4.8m transformation programme with local authority and ICB partners, reshaping urgent and emergency care and accelerating our journey toward integrated, community-focused delivery.

About the role

As Chief People Officer, you will be a visible and influential Board-level leader — shaping the People & Culture agenda for a 7,000-strong workforce and driving the culture, leadership and capability needed for the next decade.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across:

• People & Culture strategy
• Workforce planning & modernisation
• Leadership & talent development
• System working and transformation
• Organisational development & culture change
• Colleague wellbeing and experience
• Education, learning & development
• Digital people services
• Inclusion, belonging and fairness
• Employee relations and partnership working

This is a role for an inspiring, collaborative leader who can balance strategic transformation with operational grip, building trust, capability and confidence across the organisation.

What we’re looking for

You will be:

• An experienced senior People/OD leader in a complex organisation (NHS or public sector desirable)
• A visible, inclusive and values-led leader with strong personal credibility
• Skilled at organisational development, cultural transformation and workforce redesign
• Passionate about colleague experience, wellbeing and leadership development
• Collaborative, politically astute and confident influencing at Board and system level
• Committed to fairness, inclusion and positive organisational culture
• Energised by challenge and motivated by public service

If you are driven by impact, partnership and purpose — and want to shape the future workforce of an organisation with a truly meaningful community legacy — we would delighted to hear from you.

Apply now

Applications are via CV and cover letter.

Email your application to: [e-mail]

For an informal conversation, contact Jonathan Phillips on 07817 988490

Further information and full candidate pack: www.wwlopportunities.co.uk

Closing date for applications: Monday December 15th 2025