Job overview
West and North London ICB is seeking an exceptional, forward-thinking leader to join us as our Director of People and Corporate Affairs.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role at the heart of a newly merged organisation, driving the next stage of our development. We are looking for a highly dynamic, resilient and fast-paced individual who can bring energy, innovation and strategic clarity to help shape our future as a high-performing Integrated Care Board.
If you thrive in complex environments, can lead at scale, and are passionate about creating outstanding organisational cultures and people strategies, this could be the role for you.
About the role
Reporting to the Chief People Officer and working closely with the Executive Management Team and the Board, you will provide strategic leadership across the end-to-end employee and organisational experience - People, Culture, Corporate Governance, Risk, Legal Services and Corporate Operations.
You will be instrumental in ensuring the organisation has a highly capable, flexible and engaged workforce, supporting delivery of our strategic priorities and enabling WNL ICB to become a leading strategic commissioner.
We are seeking a senior leader who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and can balance strategic oversight with grip and control through hands-on leadership,to lead critical people and corporate affairs services to shape how we work, lead and grow as an organisation
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities
- Provide senior leadership for:
- People Services (including employee relations, occupational health and workforce intelligence etc)
- Leadership, talent management and organisational development
- Learning and development including WNL Academy
- Culture, inclusion and staff engagement
- Corporate governance, risk and legal services
- Corporate operations and projects
- Lead the People Team to become a progressive, high performing team offering expert advice to the organisation
- Previous experience of leading corporate governance, risk and the management and oversight of legal services including transforming organisational ways of working through streamlining processes and reducing bureaucracy.
- Lead organisational-wide programmes of work, including the response to Transforming People Services
- Drive a high-performance, inclusive and values-led culture across the organisation
- Oversee governance frameworks ensuring compliance while streamlining processes and reducing bureaucracy
- Lead any required organisational-wide change programmes and the associated HR elements, particularly in relation to structural change and/or organisational design changes.
- Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, Board members and partners across the NHS and wider system
- Demonstrate leadership as a dynamic, agile leader who can help take a newly merged organisation from integration into its next phase of maturity, performance and impact.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full Job Description see JD
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to:
- Shape the future of a complex, high-profile NHS organisation
- Lead at scale across a broad and influential portfolio
- Drive meaningful cultural transformation and workforce innovation
- Work with passionate colleagues committed to improving outcomes for our population
Please note that priority will be given to WNL ICB employees who are affected by change.
- Full-time role with hybrid working (minimum 2 days in the office)
- Based in Marylebone, with travel across West and North London boroughs with some regional and national travel
- Participation in senior on-call rota required
____________________
For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Sarah Morgan, Chief People Officer, sarahlouise.morgan@nhs.net or Darshna Pankhania on Darshna.Pankhania@nhs.net
Closing date: 23.59 Sunday 23 August 2026
Date of Interview: Wednesday 2 September 2026
West and North London ICB is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We strive to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we strongly encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups
We recognise that a healthy work-life balance is essential to the wellbeing and productivity of our staff.
We aim to consider all flexible working requests in a fair and open way, balancing the needs of our organisation with those of our employees. By fostering a flexible working culture, we strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to delivering high-quality services for our communities.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Working within an HR environment at a senior level and within a large complex organisation
Desirable
- Up-to-date understanding of best practice in relation to ICB roles and requirements
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (written, oral, presentation, facilitation), networking and negotiation skills with a track record in consistently delivering performance targets and writing complex business cases, policies and change.
Effort factors
Essential
- Actively engage during senior level meetings with internal and external parties, including representing when deputising for the Executive Director. This will require the ability to act and respond appropriately to a wide range of issues and can influence senior leaders in highly complex and potentially challenging situations whilst always maintaining a professional manner.
Skills, & Abilitie
Essential
- Highly effective leadership, people and project management skills.
Desirable
- Highly effective leadership, people and project management skills.
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Commitment to the values and principles of system working agreed across WNL
Education/ Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- FCIPD or higher qualified/accredited
Desirable
- Extensive understanding of the healthcare and political landscape.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Director of People and Corporate Affairs with West and North London ICB in London, England. It is listed as a Band 9 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £121,528 - £138,529 Per annum inclusive of HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Aug 2026.
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