Deputy Director of People and Organisational Development

Job overview

We are on an ambitious journey of significant People and organisational transformation, redesigning how we deliver workforce and OD services across our Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to join us as a Deputy Director of People & OD, playing a key leadership role in shaping a modern, high-performing People function.

Reporting to the Director of People & OD, you will provide strategic leadership across one of two major People portfolios, leading high-performing teams and delivering impactful, Trust-wide services.

You will act as a trusted adviser to executives, clinical and corporate leaders, supporting complex workforce, culture and organisational change programmes, and deputising for the Director when required.

Interview date 2 July 2026

Main duties of the job

• Lead one of two major People & OD portfolios delivering high-quality, integrated services
• Drive delivery of the People Strategy and workforce transformation programmes
• Provide expert advice to Executive and senior clinical leaders on workforce, culture and organisational change
• Lead the implementation of a newly designed People function, including embedded People & OD Partners within Clinical Boards and Corporate Services
• Oversee complex workforce issues, organisational redesign and People-related risk
• Represent the Trust at regional and national workforce forums

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

At Newcastle Hospitals, we are committed to creating a modern, compassionate and values-led People function that supports excellent patient care.

As part of our transformation, we are:

• Embedding People & OD Partners within services
• Strengthening our focus on leadership, culture and staff experience
• Delivering large-scale workforce transformation and redesign

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful, lasting change in one of the NHS’s largest and most complex organisations.

We are looking for an experienced, resilient and strategic senior leader who can:

• Demonstrate significant senior leadership experience in complex organisations
• Lead large-scale workforce and organisational transformation
• Influence at Executive, Board and system level
• Show resilience, tenacity and sound judgement in complex environments
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering the very best outcomes for patients through our people

Apply now

If you are passionate about leading People transformation and making a real difference, we welcome your application. If you would like a conversation about the role, please reach out to Deb Stuart at email [email protected] who will arrange this for you.

• Provide strategic oversight across Trust-wide People and OD functions, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, national NHS workforce policy, and regulatory expectations.
• Act as principal deputy to the Director of People and OD—making decisions, providing advice, and representing the Directorate when required.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s People Strategy, annual People Plans, and long-term workforce transformation programmes.
• Provide senior leadership to two major operational portfolios, ensuring they deliver safe, effective, and innovative services.
• Act as a senior point of escalation for highly complex and sensitive People and OD issues, including ER, workforce risk, culture concerns and organisational change.
• Oversee People & OD financial planning, workforce efficiency workstreams and major Trust-wide financial reduction programmes affecting employment models, resource allocation or workforce redesign.
• Interpret and apply national strategy, guidance and policy into actionable Trust-wide People and OD frameworks.