Chief People Officer

Seymour John Ltd; Wigan; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS organisation is seeking a Chief People Officer to shape its People & Culture agenda for a workforce of 7,000. The ideal candidate will lead cultural transformation, workforce planning, and development, ensuring a positive colleague experience. This pivotal role requires a collaborative and strategic leader who is passionate about public service. Competitive executive salary and hybrid working arrangements included.

Benefits

Attractive executive salary

Benefits package

Qualifications

• Experienced senior People/OD leader in a complex organisation, preferably NHS or public sector.
• Skilled at cultural transformation and workforce redesign.
• Visible, inclusive leader with strong personal credibility.

Responsibilities

• Shape the People & Culture agenda for a 7,000-strong workforce.
• Drive culture, leadership, and capability for the next decade.
• Lead organisational development and culture change initiatives.

Skills

Organisational development

Cultural transformation

Workforce redesign

Leadership development

Inclusivity

Stakeholder influencing

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 be delighted to hear from you.

Apply now

Applications are via CV and cover letter.

For an informal conversation, contact Jonathan Phillips.

Closing date for applications: Monday December 15th 2025