Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and inclusive People Services leader to join our Board. This is a unique opportunity to influence organisation-wide transformation, lead cultural change, workforce modernisation, leadership development, education and research. Role-modelling the DBTH Way and working closely with colleagues and system partners, you will inspire a high-performing, inclusive culture where our people can thrive and deliver exceptional outcomes for our patients. As Chief People Officer and a voting board member, you will lead one of our most critical strategic agendas, shaping and delivering our People Plan and ensuring our workforce is equipped, engaged, and empowered to deliver our ambitions.
In our new Chief People Officer, experienced and inclusive People Services leader operating at or close to Board level and with a strong track record of delivering strategic leadership and organisational development in comparably large, complex, unionised and multi-professional environments. Bringing a track record of embedding cultural change, transformation, and continuous improvement, you will demonstrate credibility in building productive and progressive partnerships across a range of stakeholders. A values-led leader, you will combine strategic vision with operational delivery, bringing authenticity and a commitment to driving meaningful change.
Main duties of the job
The Chief People Officer is a key member of the Trust Board and Executive team at DBTH and is vital to ensuring the success of our operational and strategic plans, sharing corporate responsibility for the strategic direction of the Trust and delivery of the Trust's vision and objectives. The postholder will lead the People & Organisational Development Directorate and the Education & Research Directorate, ensuring these functions are fit for purpose, providing an effective, proactive and efficient service to stakeholders across all aspects of the People agenda. The postholder is also the Executive lead for Freedom to Speak Up at the Trust and for the Guardian of Safe Working role.
The postholder will play an integral leadership role in shaping and delivering the People agenda across DBTH, including leadership and accountability for the strategic People Plan, Research & Innovation Plan and Culture & Leadership Programme. As the most senior lead for the People agenda, the postholder will visibly role-model the Trust values and DBTH Way and drive a values-based culture through a range of strategic initiatives, activities and in all the practices of the People & OD and Education & Research directorates.
As a key member of the Executive Team, they will have the ability to build credibility, inspire confidence and demonstrably influence people at all levels. An exceptional leader of people with drive, vision, a strategic mindset, clarity of purpose, and high levels of integrity.
About us
DBTH is one of Yorkshire's Leading acute trusts, serving a population of more than 440,000. Our services are based over three main hospital sites and several additional services employing over 7,000 colleagues.
At DBTH we have a comprehensive framework of behaviours that guide us in our daily working lives, these form the DBTH Way. We pride ourselves on our commitment to the values of We Care and now the DBTH Way builds upon these foundations, providing further clarity on what it means to embody these values in our everyday interactions.
As an organisation that supports flexible working, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applicants from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including those with disabilities, members of our ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities.
We offer a range of benefits to support our people including:o Extensive range of learning opportunitieso NHS Pension Schemeo Generous holiday entitlement in line with Terms & Conditionso Comprehensive health and wellbeing supporto NHS Car Lease schemes and a range of salary sacrifice schemeo Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping and finance through external providers.
Details
- Date posted: 20 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
- Salary: £100,000 to £200,000 a year VSM Salary dependent on experience
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 272-8124164
- Job locations: Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Thorne Road, Doncaster, DN2 5LT, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
We look forward to exploring how you can contribute to the future success of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals.
Further information can be found in the attached job description and person specification.
If you would like to apply please visit our dedicated recruitment microsite:
https://dbth.gs-attract.com/
In addition, please contact our advisors at GatenbySanderson.
Please do not apply on Trac or NHS Jobs
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of operating at a senior level (Board level or Deputy to Board Director level) within a comparably large, complex and unionised organisation
- Successful track record in the effective leadership of people and diverse teams including line management
- Recent experience of leading major complex organisational change, transformation and workforce development, working in partnership with unions to deliver effective outcomes
- Experience of building and sustaining effective and productive working relationships with a wide range of people at a local and regional level
- Experience in building successful partnership relationships with external stakeholders and experience of collaborative working with other organisations
- Demonstrable evidence of personal development and leadership in promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion, to improvements in outcomes or experience for staff and service users
- Good understanding and experience of leading all aspects of operational human resources management and employee relations
- Evidence of experience in strategy development and implementation in relation to the people and culture agenda
Desirable
- Experience of leading and achieving success in continuous improvement
- Senior leadership experience in a provider NHS Trust
- Experience of working with Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions and Medical and Dental Terms and Conditions
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's level qualification or equivalent experience
- Professional qualification (e.g. Chartered Fellow of the CIPD)
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Other leadership professional training or qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Attributes
Essential
- Ability to establish rapport with colleagues from across the organisation and externally, including from other Trusts and partner organisations
- Strategic thinker with highly developed influencing, negotiation and advocacy skills, with the ability to use these internally and externally impactfully
- Compassionate and inclusive leadership approach, with track record of visible and effective leadership through a coaching approach
- Able to lead change management, cultural change programmes and organisational development, including the application of OD methodologies and approaches
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and across professional groups
- Role model for our Trust values and the DBTH Way
Desirable
- A good understanding of the wider NHS, health and care environment, its infrastructure and associated organisations and government policy
- Knowledge of Agenda for Change, Electronic Staff Record
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Chief People Officer with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Thorne Road, Doncaster, DN2 5LT, United Kingdom, United Kingdom. It is listed as a Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £100000.00 to £200000.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Sep 2026.
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