Job overview

Public Health Wales welcomes applications from compassionate and visionary leaders who share our deep commitment to fairness, inclusion, and wellbeing. We are currently seeking an experienced Deputy Director of People and Organisational Development to join our senior leadership team and play a central role in delivering both our People Strategy and Long-Term Organisational Strategy.

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to shape organisational culture, promote inclusive leadership, and strengthen workforce capability across our national public health organisation. Acting as Deputy to the Director of People & OD, you will provide strategic oversight of all People and OD functions and represent the Directorate in senior internal and external forums, including with Welsh Government and national workforce groups.

We are proud to offer a supportive, inclusive, and values-led working environment. We actively encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diverse communities we serve. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are supported wherever possible.

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Director of People and Organisational Development, you will play a critical role in leading and shaping the delivery of our people agenda. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide strategic leadership across all People and OD functions, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and the Integrated Medium-Term Plan (IMTP).
• Act as a senior advisor to executive and operational leaders on organisational development, workforce transformation, change management, and people policy.
• Lead the implementation of the People Strategy, focusing on workforce planning, leadership development, Welsh language integration, and digital readiness.
• Champion a values-led, inclusive culture that promotes psychological safety, staff wellbeing, and meaningful engagement.
• Embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across employment practices, policies, and decision-making.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and continuous improvement across People and OD services, including complex employee relations.
• Drive innovation in HR systems and workforce analytics to support high-quality, evidence-based decisions.
• Build effective partnerships with trade unions, staff networks, and external stakeholders to foster collaboration.

• Provide inspirational leadership to a multidisciplinary People & OD team, promoting accountability, teamwork, and professional growth.

Working for our organisation

We are Public Health Wales – the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is ‘working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives. With our partners, we aim to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations. 

Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales.  Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. 

Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion.  We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/