Job overview
Exceptional care starts with exceptional people. Help us create the culture, leadership and workforce that will shape the future of one of the UK's leading specialist hospitals.
Shape the future of a remarkable organisation
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) is one of the UK's leading specialist hospitals and a recognised centre of excellence for orthopaedic care. Renowned for our clinical outcomes, innovation, and patient-centred approach, we serve communities across Shropshire, the Midlands, Wales and beyond.
At RJAH, our people are our greatest strength. We are proud of the culture we have built—one founded on compassion, professionalism, inclusion and continuous improvement. As we look to the future, we are seeking an exceptional Chief People and Culture Officer to join our Executive Team and help shape the next chapter of our journey.
This is more than a traditional HR leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence organisational strategy, nurture a thriving culture, develop future leaders, and ensure our workforce remains empowered to deliver outstanding care to every patient, every day.
Be Part of Something Extraordinary
This is an exceptional opportunity to influence the future of one of the UK's leading specialist hospitals.
If you are passionate about people, culture and leadership, and want to make a lasting impact on patients, staff and communities, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As Chief People and Culture Officer, you will be a key member of the Trust Board and Executive Team, providing strategic leadership across workforce, organisational development, culture, inclusion, wellbeing and employee experience.
You will play a pivotal role in delivering our organisational ambitions by creating the conditions in which our people can flourish, innovate and achieve their full potential.
Working alongside your colleagues, you will lead the development and delivery of a progressive People and Culture Strategy that supports workforce sustainability, organisational performance and exceptional patient outcomes.
You will:
- Lead and inspire the development of a modern, ambitious and future-focused People and Culture Strategy.
- Champion an inclusive, compassionate and high-performing organisational culture.
- Drive workforce transformation and strategic workforce planning to support future models of care.
- Lead talent management, leadership development and succession planning, ensuring RJAH continues to attract, retain and develop outstanding people.
- Executive Lead for the culture, staff engagement, wellbeing and inclusion.
- Ensure the Trust remains an employer of choice, recognised for excellence in leadership, workforce innovation and staff experience.
- Build strong relationships with staff-side representatives, governors, regulators and system partners.
- Represent RJAH at regional and national levels, influencing wider workforce policy and development across the NHS.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To apply, please submit
- A comprehensive curriculum vitae including employment references covering a full 6 yearsA supporting statement demonstrating how your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the role.
Please DO NOT apply through completion of the application form.
Applications should be sent to: Mary Bardsley, Assistant Trust Secretary [email protected]
We are seeking an inspirational and authentic leader who combines strategic vision with emotional intelligence and a deep commitment to people.
You will bring:
- Experience leading strategic projects, exposure deputising at Board and executive level.
- A demonstrable track record of delivering transformational change and cultural improvement.
- Expertise in workforce strategy, organisational development, leadership development and modern people practice.
- Strong ability to align workforce priorities to organisational objectives.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and compassionate leadership.
- Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the credibility to work effectively with Boards, clinicians, staff and external partners.
- Chartered CIPD status.
Most importantly, you will share our belief that exceptional patient care begins with exceptional people.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans
- Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and engage at all levels.
- Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to interpret workforce data and trends
- Ability to build trusted relationships with staff, unions, clinicians, executives, and external partners.
- Skilled in leading through ambiguity, managing risk, and making sound decisions under pressure
- Ability to drive cultural change and embed inclusive, compassionate leadership behaviours
- Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Desirable
- Ability to represent the organisation at regional and national levels with credibility and authority
- Experience of using digital tools and technology to enhance workforce processes and staff experience
Personal
Essential
- Authentic, values driven, and committed to the NHS mission and public service.
- Emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and able to model compassionate leadership.
- Courageous and resilient, with the ability to challenge constructively and lead with integrity
- Collaborative and inclusive, fostering a culture of belonging and respect
- Innovative, forward thinking, and open to new ideas and approaches
- High levels of personal integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning.
Knowledge
Essential
- Deep understanding of modern HR practice, organisational development, and workforce strategy
- Strong knowledge of employment law, NHS terms and conditions, and regulatory frameworks
- Understanding of the NHS People Plan, NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, and national workforce priorities
- Knowledge of EDI frameworks including WRES, WDES, and the Public Sector Equality Duty
- Understanding of compassionate leadership, psychological safety, and culture change methodologies
- Knowledge of workforce analytics, modelling, and data driven decision making
Desirable
- Understanding of system wide workforce planning across health and social care.
- Knowledge of digital workforce systems, ESR, and emerging workforce technologies.
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience at Board or equivalent level in a large, complex organisation
- Proven track record of leading large scale organisational, cultural, and workforce transformation
- Experience of developing and delivering long term workforce strategies aligned to organisational priorities
- Demonstrable success in improving staff experience, engagement, and organisational culture
- Experience of leading equality, diversity, and inclusion programmes with measurable outcomes
- Strong background in workforce planning, talent management, and leadership development
- Experience of managing complex employee relations, including partnership working with trade unions
- Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and managing significant budgets.
Desirable
- Experience of working within an Integrated Care System (ICS) or multi agency partnership environment.
- Experience of digital workforce transformation or implementing new workforce models.
- Experience of leading workforce elements of major service redesign or clinical transformation programmes
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Chartered CIPD membership (MCIPD/FCIPD) or equivalent senior level HR/OD qualification.
- Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to people, culture, leadership, or organisational development.
- Degree level education or equivalent experience gained in a senior leadership role
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in HR, organisational development, leadership, or business.
- Coaching or leadership development accreditation.
- Experience of working within or alongside the NHS, public sector, or regulated environments
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Chief People and Culture Officer with The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Oswestry, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is Salary is dependant on experience. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
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