Head of Staff Experience

NHS; Wickford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Wickford is seeking a Head of Staff Experience to enhance employee engagement and cultivate an inclusive culture. This pivotal role involves driving the Trust’s people strategy and developing initiatives that ensure staff wellbeing and inclusion. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills, experience in organisational development, and a Master’s degree or equivalent. Excellent pension and flexible working options offered.

Benefits

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays

Pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts with Blue Light Card

£8,000 relocation package

Interest-free season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Experience leading organisational development and culture change.
• Proven ability to create psychologically safe environments.
• Track record in writing complex reports and business cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead the staff experience agenda focusing on engagement and inclusion.
• Drive the Staff Survey to improve wellbeing and staff experience.
• Co-design and deliver programs that embed psychological safety.
• Ensure staff experience functions are efficient and aligned.
• Support the implementation of inclusive culture across the Trust.

Skills

Leadership in organisational culture

Strong communication skills

Experience in driving improvements

Influencing at all levels

Expertise in diversity and inclusion

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job summary

At Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), we know that our people are our greatest asset. We're on a mission to create a workplace where every colleague feels valued, supported, and empowered. We need an inspirational leader to help us make that vision a reality.

We are seeking a Head of Staff Experience to join our dynamic People and Culture directorate. Working alongside the Associate Director of Organisational Development and partnering with the Head of Organisational Development, you'll play a pivotal role in driving forward our people strategy and shaping outstanding cultures across EPUT.

Main duties of the job

What you'll do

• Lead the staff experience agenda, from engagement to inclusion, wellbeing to recognition.
• Drive the Staff Survey so we can better understand staff and shape actions that impact wellbeing and experience at EPUT.
• Influence and inspire senior partners, staff networks, external system partners, and frontline colleagues.
• Co‑design and deliver programmes that embed psychological safety, belonging, and values‑driven culture.
• Champion our values of caring, learning, and empowering in every initiative you lead.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the implementation of staff experience strategies aligned with the Trust’s People Strategy, NHS People Promise, and system‑wide workforce objectives.
• Ensure staff experience, wellbeing, engagement, and diversity and inclusion functions are fit for purpose, efficient, and fully aligned with other HR services such as leadership and development, education and operations.
• Develop and nurture a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in HR service delivery.
• Support the Associate Director of OD and Culture and senior HR team to embed organisational values into day‑to‑day working and all people functions.
• Plan and implement key interventions that embed an inclusive, compassionate and collaborative culture across the Trust and support the transition to integrated care models.
• Develop and promote enabling workforce policies and service standards that meet operational needs and progress the Trust’s strategic aims, supporting belonging, staff voice, and meaningful recognition.
• Work with change programme teams to ensure people and staff experience are central to all change programmes, from design through to implementation, shaped using feedback and lived experience.
• Develop and promote positive partnership working with staff and trade unions and actively involve them in strategic and operational issues.
• Provide direction and support to ensure audits (internal or external) are organised as required and all recommendations are implemented.
• Deputise for the Director for OD and Culture as required.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to direct reports and their teams as designated.
• Manage contracts with outsourced providers linked to wellbeing, engagement, diversity and inclusion, and occupational health.
• Lead on relevant aspects of the Trust People Strategy.
• Develop partnership working with the Integrated Care System and other regional partners to create shared service models, gaining economies of scale from effective collaboration.

Who we're looking for

• A seasoned and caring professional in organisational culture, staff experience, and diversity.
• A strong communicator with the ability to influence and inspire at every level of the organisation.
• A proven track record of driving improvements that benefit both staff and patients, creating a felt shift for the workforce.
• A motivational leader with expertise in diversity and inclusion beyond statutory reporting, delivering real impact.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff’s hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8 000 relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications – Essential

• Educated to Master’s degree or equivalent experience.

Education / Qualifications – Desirable

• CIPD Graduate membership or equivalent.
• Coaching qualification.
• General Management qualification.
• Project Management qualification.

Skills / Experience – Essential

• Experience in leading organisational development, culture change or talent management programmes.
• Experience creating psychologically safe environments where staff feel heard and valued.
• Experience of writing complex reports and business cases.

Skills / Experience – Desirable

• Experience leading staff engagement, listening or advocacy mechanisms that support culture and inclusion.
• Experience delivering digital workforce solutions and values‑based development initiatives.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re still reading, it’s because you know this role matters. Apply now via TRAC or reach out for a conversation about how you can help us transform staff experience at EPUT.

Miscellaneous

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly 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.

Employer details

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Wickford

SS11 7XX

Employer website

https://eput.nhs.uk/