Job overview

We are looking to recruit an inspirational leader, who has a passion for excellence and a demonstrable background in organisational development within complex organisations. Our current Chief People Officer (CPO) will be retiring in December and we're now looking for someone who can work as part of the board and executive teams across the group structure and through the two Trusts, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (WHT) in the next step in our journey to outstanding. The group has a turnover of over £1.5bn and as such we are looking for a leader already working at board level who understands the importance of forging effective partnerships with our people and system partners to drive the change we need.

As a member of the two Trust Boards and Group Executive you will have responsibility with the Chief Executive (CEO) to lead on ensuring we have a workforce who are engaged, have the skills to enable the Group to build and deliver a comprehensive set of clinical services in line with the 10-year NHS plan.

The role will focus on how we deliver our group strategy, from board to every colleagues. You will establish an approach to engaging everyone in how they contribute to the strategic objectives, embedding a culture of improvement which is patient centred, empowers staff, promotes personal accountability, is fair and collaborative and delivers continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job

You will provide strategic and operational leadership on all People matters to the executives and wider board, the Group Chief People Officer will lead the implementation of the People Strategy and delivery of the NHS People Plan and NHS People Promise.

As a Corporate and Executive Director of the RWT/WHT Group Board the post holder is expected to contribute fully to the development of trust strategy and policy and to delivery of statutory and corporate responsibilities.

Ensure there is a clear workforce plan to deliver on the Group strategy and 10-Year NHS Plan, supporting the delivery of clinically and financially viable services.

To understand and drive organisation-wide strategy and change that supports our values, delivers our objectives and strategic goals and impacts value and reputation.

To provide visible, credible, and effective leadership to drive OD and add organisational business value through staff engagement, culture and values through the effective utilisation of OD techniques.

Customer focused and able to provide innovative advice and support to the Group Chief Executive, Trust Board, Committees of the Board and senior leaders on all matters relating to OD, Learning and Development and HR across the Group.

Working for our organisation

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. 

A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.