Deputy Chief People Officer

BusDevCoach.com; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare social enterprise in England seeks a Deputy Chief People Officer for an 18-month fixed term contract. This senior leadership role involves operationalizing the People Strategy and enhancing service delivery across a complex organization. The ideal candidate will have extensive senior leadership experience, a Level 7 qualification in HR or Employment Law, and a strong track record of effecting transformational change. The role offers annual salary of £80,000 with additional benefits.

Benefits

Annual salary of £80,000

Access to NHS Pension Scheme

Additional annual leave based on length of service

Free 24/7 independent counselling service

Ongoing leadership development opportunities

Access to Blue Light Card

Membership to reward and discount platform

Qualifications

• Strong track record of delivering measurable improvements in complex organizations.
• Confident people leader comfortable operating at sub-board level.
• Experience in healthcare, public sector or charity environments.

Responsibilities

• Deputising for the Chief People Officer and operationalising the People Strategy.
• Leading the People Team including Recruitment & Onboarding.
• Driving People transformation initiatives from design to delivery.

Skills

Chartered CIPD status

Extensive senior leadership experience

Strong influencing skills

Deep expertise in employment law

Emotional intelligence

Pragmatic leadership style

Education

Level 7 qualification in HR or Employment Law

Job description

Deputy Chief People Officer (18-month Fixed Term Contract)

Overview

Were looking for an influential, pragmatic and delivery-focused Deputy Chief People Officer to join IC24s People Team on an 18-month fixed term contract. This is a senior leadership role with real scope to shape, stabilise and transform how People services are delivered across a large, complex Healthcare social enterprise.

Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, you will play a pivotal role in operationalising IC24s People Strategy and driving measurable improvements across the entire colleague journey – from attraction and recruitment through to engagement, development and retention. With a strong hands‑on focus, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of People services while supporting significant workforce, cultural and organisational change.

This role is offered with a strong operational emphasis (approximately 70% delivery / 30% strategic), working closely with the executive team, senior leaders, clinicians and People leads to professionalise, stabilise and continuously improve the People function. Success will be measured through tangible outcomes including improved engagement, reduced turnover, strengthened leadership capability and enhanced People service effectiveness.

The preferred location is Ashford, with two days per week onsite, and flexibility around remaining working arrangements.

What Youll Be Doing

• Deputising for the Chief People Officer and operationalising the People Strategy
• Day to day leadership of the People Team, including Recruitment & Onboarding, Business Partnering and People Operations
• Driving defined People transformation initiatives from design through to delivery
• Acting as a trusted advisor to executives, senior leaders and clinicians, with confidence to challenge constructively
• Providing expert leadership on complex employment relations and employment law matters
• Representing the People function at executive and board level
• Ensuring robust People governance, compliance and risk management
• Embedding a compassionate, inclusive and values‑led culture across IC24

About You

You are a confident People leader with a strong track record of delivering measurable improvement in complex organisations. You bring both strategic insight and hands‑on delivery capability, with the emotional intelligence and pragmatism needed to operate effectively at sub‑board level.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has

• Chartered CIPD status and Level 7 (or equivalent) qualification in HR or Employment Law
• Extensive senior leadership experience within People / Workforce functions (ideally sub‑board level)
• Proven success leading People transformation and delivering quantifiable performance outcomes
• Deep, practical expertise in employment law and employee relations
• Strong influencing skills, emotional intelligence and a pragmatic, grounded leadership style
• Experience gained within healthcare, public sector or charity environments, or a strong commercial background with demonstrable experience transferring best practice into regulated or mission‑led organisations

Why IC24

We’re a major not‑for‑profit Social Enterprise delivering innovative, high‑quality primary care services across the South and East of England. Every penny we make is reinvested into our services, our people and the communities we serve.

At IC24, Youll Find

• A senior leadership role with genuine influence and scope to make a lasting impact
• A values‑driven organisation committed to social value, inclusion and sustainability
• The opportunity to shape the People agenda at a critical point of organisational development
• A collaborative executive team that values challenge, trust and openness
• A strong sense of purpose, supporting frontline healthcare services and patient outcomes

Additional Information

Location: Ashford (preferred), with 2 days per week onsite (Flexibility to Travel Required)

Contract: 18-month Fixed Term Contract

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Benefits

• Annual salary of £80,000 per annum
• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme
• Additional annual leave above statutory minimum based on length of service
• Free 24/7 independent counselling service
• Ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities
• Access to Blue Light Card and NHS discount schemes
• Membership to our reward and discount platform

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re an experienced People leader with the confidence, credibility and drive to lead meaningful transformation, we’d love to hear from you.

We celebrate brave ideas and brave people.

Visit careers.ic24.org.uk to apply.

Equal Opportunities

We have a duty to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of those who use our services and our employees. This means we take every step we can to protect from harm, abuse and damage.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and actively encourage applications from ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodiverse individuals and other under‑represented groups. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong.

If you need any workplace adjustments during the application or interview process, or have accessibility requirements, please contact the recruitment team.