Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to lead our EDI agenda. You will report to the Deputy Director of People and provide strategic leadership, expert advice, and assurance to the Board and senior leaders, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and meaningful change is delivered.

This role shapes an inclusive culture, leads key programmes, and collaborates with staff networks, trade unions, and system partners to

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or demonstrable evidence of working at a level equivalent to a master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Health Care registered Professional Qualification.
• Experience leading equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead EDI programmes across the Trust and provide strategic leadership.
• Engage with staff networks, trade unions and system partners to deliver change.
• Present to the Trust Board and external bodies with clear, impactful content.
• Interpret equality legislation and deliver measurable improvements in inclusion.

Skills

Leadership experience

EDI expertise

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Health Care registered Professional Qualification

Job description

Main area Equality Diversity Inclusion Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours

• Part time
• Flexible working

19 hours per week (Working days to be agreed with line manager on appointment.) Job ref 376-CP-0766

Employer Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Tickhill Road Hospital Site Town Doncaster Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 26/11/2026

Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Band 8a

Job overview

Are you a passionate and influential leader with the drive to create a truly inclusive workplace and reduce inequalities for staff, patients and communities?

We are looking for an experienced Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion to lead our EDI agenda across the Trust. Reporting to the Deputy Director of People, you will provide strategic leadership, expert advice and assurance to the Trust Board, Executive Team and senior leaders, ensuring we meet our statutory responsibilities and deliver meaningful change.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and embed an inclusive culture, lead delivery of key programmes including the Equality Delivery System, Workforce Race Equality Standard and Workforce Disability Equality Standard, and work collaboratively with staff networks, trade unions, community groups and system partners.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking someone with significant experience of leading EDI programmes, influencing at senior level, interpreting equality legislation and delivering measurable improvements in inclusion, workforce experience and organisational culture. You will be an excellent communicator, able to engage diverse audiences, challenge constructively and inspire positive change.

Applicants should hold a master's degree or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience working within EDI.

If you are ready to make a lasting impact and help us create a more inclusive organisation for everyone, we would love to hear from you.

Working for our organisation

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.

We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.

We are dedicated to the development of our our people and hold a learning half day every month for our colleagues.

We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:

To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:

We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:

The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or demonstrable evidence of working at a level equivalent to that expected from a master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Health Care registered Professional Qualification.

Experience

• Demonstrable expertise and experience of effectively conveying and discussing complex and sensitive messages to staff related to equality diversity and inclusion and engagement leading to positive impact.
• Demonstrable expertise and experience of communicating effectively at all levels within and outside of the Trust both informally and formally (including presentation to Trust Board and outside bodies).
• Demonstrable expertise and experience of developing and managing a diverse range of relationships.
• Demonstrable expertise and experience of negotiating, persuading and influencing at a senior level with heads of service and Trust Leads, senior clinicians and other groups.
• Able to lead and facilitate a conversation between members of staff and their managers and be sensitive and responsive to emotional situations
• Be an approachable, trusted, non-judgmental individual who is comfortable talking with front line staff from all disciplines/levels and can build rapport which demonstrates compassion and understanding.
• Demonstrate expertise and experience of speaking at internal and external events.
• Demonstrable paper writing abilities for varying audiences to convey complex content and assurance in relevant areas.
• Knowledge of the Freedom to Speak Up agenda in the NHS.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and expertise in the field of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda and how the in the NHS
• Ability to interpret equality and human rights legislation and national policy.
• Knowledge of the Freedom to Speak Up agenda in the NHS
• Able to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively to gain agreement to relevant plans and to implement plans.
• Excellent presentation skills – presents concepts and ideas clearly engaging the audience.
• Ability to implement practical solutions to make a difference.
• Experience and skill understanding of mediation and managing confidential matters including records of cases.
• Have expertise to work with a range of stakeholders, especially those responsible for patient safety and patient and staff experience, to ensure that lessons are learned, themes identified and necessary changes are made.
• Evidence of successful experience of implementing legislative requirements within equality and human rights within an organisation.
• Able to work under pressure and with an unpredictable work pattern with a range of potential outcomes with trust wide remit
• Ability to establish clear standards of performance and work. Able to take initiative and show clear leadership, expertise and drive.
• High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement and flexibility in approach and attitude.
• Able to demonstrate and role model a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
• Ability to support staff in completing Due Regard analysis undertakes.
• Act as role model and always display and promote a high level of professionalism.
• Able to balance vision and pragmatism, make and commit to own decisions.
• Be responsive and resilient.

Skills

• Proven success in developing and delivering new initiatives.
• Good understanding of current national NHS policies and their impact on health services.
• Ability to develop and implement policy and strategy
• Have a good understanding of how to raise concerns and the barriers that can exist for those who speak up.
• Can set boundaries, be concise, synthesise and present information and write reports for the Chief Executive and Board

**Eligibility for sponsorship - please read before submitting your application**

Please note, not all vacancies or applications are eligible for sponsorship.

*****Before applying, you can make a self-assessment of potential eligibility for sponsorship here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

**Please note, there have been some changes made to Home Office guidance including changes to salary thresholds for sponsorship applications and eligibility for dependent visas from 9 April 2025 and from 22 July 2025**

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high number of applications.

Name Rachel Shiels Job title Deputy Director of People Email address [e-mail] Additional information

For an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Shiels, Deputy Director of People via [e-mail] .