Chief People Officer

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS Trust in Leeds is seeking a Chief People Officer to lead its Workforce and Organisational Development strategy. The successful candidate will drive initiatives that promote inclusion and staff engagement while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. This pivotal role requires significant experience in HR leadership and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Extensive learning and development opportunities

Supportive, inclusive working environment

Qualifications

• Current Executive and Board level experience.
• Significant Director/Board level HR and OD experience in an NHS or other large, complex organisation.
• Proven experience in leading and developing a Workforce function aligned with business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the Trust’s Workforce and Organisational Development strategy.
• Influence and engage staff at all levels.
• Advise the Chief Executive and Trust Board on workforce strategies.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Excellent interpersonal skills

Passion for inclusion

Resilience

Change management

Education

CIPD qualification

CIPD Fellow membership

Job description

Job summary

Are you a visionary HR leader ready to make an impact at one of the country's largest and most ambitious NHS Trusts?

We are seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer (CPO) to join our Executive Team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. This is a pivotal role where you will lead and shape the Trusts Workforce and Organisational Development (OD) strategy as we aspire to be the best place to work while delivering outstanding patient care.

This is not just another HR job - it’s a system-shaping, culture-defining and future-building opportunity. As CPO you will provide visible, credible and inspirational leadership, driving excellence across the full range of people services from workforce planning, recruitment and retention, to learning, development and cultural transformation.

You will influence and engage staff at all levels, embedding our values, promoting inclusion and belonging and ensure that the Trust is a great place for colleagues to grow and thrive. You will foster a culture that is patient-centred, empowering, fair, accountable, collaborative and committed to continuous improvement.

You’ll also play a key role in shaping workforce strategies, advising the Chief Executive, Trust Board and senior leaders on complex workforce and OD, and confidently represent the Trust across system-wide workforce initiatives, partnerships and NHS programmes.

Main duties of the job

You will be an accomplished leader with a strategic mindset and a proven track record in workforce strategy, organisational development, staff engagement and cultural transformation. You will have extensive experience leading complex HR and OD functions, within the NHS or a comparable large-scale complex organisation, with demonstrable success in delivering tangible improvements in staff engagement and organisational effectiveness.

Job responsibilities

• A current CIPD qualification with executive/board-level HR and OD experience in a complex organisation.
• A strategic mindset with a proven track record in workforce strategy, organisational development, change management and staff engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills.
• A passion for inclusion, belonging and staff wellbeing.
• Resilient and highly motivated with the ability to inspire across disciplines.
• Experience as a system leader, contributing to workforce strategy across multi-sector partnerships.

Person Specification

Experience Essential

• Current Executive and Board level experience.
• Significant Director/Board level HR and OD experience in an NHS or other large, complex organisation.
• A recognised HR leader with influence and personal credibility that extends across the health or equivalent, large sector.
• Proven experience in leading and developing a Workforce function aligned with business needs and corporate objectives.
• Significant experience of delivering change through partnership working.
• Experience of developing and implementing transformative, organisation-wide cultural change.
• Experience of operating as a system leader alongside multi-sector partners.
• A proven track record in Strategic Workforce and with demonstrable experience of leading teams across all the People functional disciplines.
• Experience of successfully designing and delivering tangible improvements in staff engagement.
• Strong experience in organisational design and organisational development.
• Strong track record in change management and improving organisational effectiveness.

Qualifications Essential

• Current CIPD qualification and membership are essential. CIPD Fellow membership is desirable.

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 https://www.immigration.gov.uk.

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.

About us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering excellence in patient care, specialist services, research, education and innovation. We aim to be a centre of excellence and the best place to work, supporting our staff to achieve their career goals while delivering outstanding care to our patients.

We offer a generous pension scheme, extensive learning and development opportunities and a supportive, inclusive working environment.

We’re committed to recruiting exceptional people to deliver outstanding services across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and helping every colleague reach their full potential. We’re looking for a compassionate, inclusive, and collaborative leader who shares our values and can build strong partnerships. We warmly invite applications from people from a variety of backgrounds and sectors and are especially keen to hear from individuals from a minority ethnic background. We’re dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and has a true sense of belonging, as we work together to deliver the best in healthcare to the people of Leeds and beyond.

Employer details

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Website: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/

Contact

For an informal discussion about the role and organisation please contact:

Brendan Brown, Chief Executive

PA: Marie Pearson [e-mail] | 0113 206 4326

Kate Sims, Interim Chief People Officer

PA: Tracey Riach [e-mail] | 0113 206 6239

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV and covering letter of no more than 2-3 pages via NHS jobs.

If you need any further support with the application process, please contact Recruitment Manager: [e-mail]

Shortlisted candidates will need to be available to attend stakeholder events and an interview on the 11and12 December.

Job details

Date posted: 05 November 2025

Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary: Depending on experience Competitive Spot Salary

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: C9298-TEX-0087

Job locations: St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF