Chief People Officer

Job overview

Make a Difference at the Heart of Community Healthcare

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the largest provider of community health services across Sussex, delivering excellent care at the heart of the community and supporting adults, children and families through diverse clinical and therapeutic teams. As our organisation moves into an important new phase shaped by national workforce ambitions and the growing role of community‑based, preventative care, we are seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer to help shape our future and strengthen the experience of the nearly 6,000 colleagues who bring our purpose to life every day.

This is a pivotal executive leadership role within a stable, values‑driven Board. As our Chief People Officer, you will provide strategic leadership across our People, Organisational Development, Workforce, Equality & Inclusion, and Communications & Engagement portfolios. You will bring clarity, compassion and vision to the way SCFT attracts, develops and supports a skilled, flexible and motivated workforce, ensuring we are ready to deliver new models of care, expanded community services and the transformation underway across the Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care System. Your leadership will be central to modernising our People function, strengthening wellbeing, improving inclusion and belonging, and building organisational capability for the decade ahead.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a credible, influential and experienced senior People leader who has operated at, or directly below, Board level in a large and complex organisation. You will offer deep expertise in strategic HR, organisational development and workforce transformation, combined with the emotional intelligence, resilience and integrity to lead with both courage and compassion. You will be committed to improving colleague experience, addressing inequality, strengthening psychological safety and fostering a culture in which people feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the culture and workforce of a major community health provider during a period of significant system change, growth and development. If you are motivated by purpose, partnership and the chance to make a meaningful difference for our colleagues and communities, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information and to apply please visit GatenbySandersonhttps://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe131796