Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Director to join our Executive Leadership Team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to lead and develop our people, culture and workforce agenda.
The Executive Chief People Officer will have a remit in relation to being strategic leader for a range of innovative people, workforce and organisational development strategies which will support our improvement and culture journey.
As the strategic lead, the Executive Chief People Officer is accountable for all matters relating to people, culture and workforce for the Trust
Main duties of the job
The Executive Chief People Officer will have a wide ranging portfolio across a range of People and Culture functions with the opportunity to lead the development and implementation of the Trust's new People and Culture Strategy which needs to be underpinned with a programme of transformation which reflects the opportunities for improvement that the Trust has embarked on.
Working with the wider executive team and external stakeholders, you will focus on building a culture of providing safe and effective high quality care for our patients and staff at County Durham and Darlington.
The postholder will play a leading role in working with senior leaders and partners in transforming the Trusts approach to care, ensuring that our people are at the heart of our new clinical strategy that we have started to develop.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact: Steve Russell, CEO, CDDFT. Steve.russell7@nhs.net
Closing date: Thursday 3rd September 2026 (0900 hours)
Interview date: Wednesday 16th September 2026
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Details
- Date posted: 17 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
- Salary: Depending on experience Very Senior Manager – Attractive Salary
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: C9439-2627-0011
- Job locations: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom, University Hospital Of North Durham, North Road, DURHAM, DH1 5TW, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Working closely with colleagues in the Executive Team, you will lead our people, culture and workforce agenda, focusing on the 10 year plans ambition and leading the development of our strategy with a focus on integration, improving the wellbeing of our population and providing excellent hospital and community services for our patients. As an experienced senior leader you will be responsible for ensuring that the Trust has the right people, culture and workforce strategies and services in place to ensure that patient care is delivered to the highest possible standards across the organisation. You are expected to represent the organisation externally and play a leadership role for the Trust with stakeholders and partners.
The ideal candidate will be a successful experienced people professional with significant operational and transformation experience within a complex public sector organisation and system experience would be an advantage.
As a key leader in our organisation, you will have a track record in matrix working, leading successful teams and services. You will play a vital role in delivering our ambitious agenda, supporting the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive in developing the organisations future strategy to ensure that the Trust can provide high quality services which are fit for the future for the population of Durham and Darlington.
This role is part of the Executive Leadership Team reporting directly to the Chief Executive.
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
- Board-level or near Board-level leadership experience in a complex NHS, health or care environment.
- Successful track record of shaping and delivering people, culture and workforce strategy in a large, multi-site organisation.
- Strong understanding of NHS policy, system reform, integrated care, regulatory frameworks and the productivity and transformation agenda.
- Evidence of delivering complex organisational change with measurable benefits for staff experience, patient care, leadership capability or service performance.
- Experience of leading cultural change, staff engagement, inclusion, wellbeing, employee relations and partnership working at scale.
- Experience of using workforce intelligence, performance indicators and risk insight to inform Board decisions and improve services.
- Experience of working constructively with trade unions, clinical leaders, system partners, regulators and external stakeholders.
- Evidence of strategic innovation, sound judgement and the ability to translate ambition into delivery.
Desirable
- Senior leadership experience in an acute and community provider.
- Experience of delivering transformative and cultural change across organisational boundaries.
- Knowledge of improvement methodologies and benefits realisation.
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent demonstrable portfolio of senior strategic leadership experience equivalent to Masters level.
- Chartered Fellow of the CIPD
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development, including Board-level leadership development.
Desirable
- Postgraduate leadership qualification.
- Formal improvement, organisational development or systems leadership development qualification or certification.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Authentic, inclusive and compassionate leader committed to collective leadership.
- Able to role model NHS Leadership Framework behaviours and build confidence across staff, partners and the public.
- Gravitas, credibility and resilience to operate effectively at Board level.
- Commitment to public service, equality, staff voice and respectful workplace culture.
- Able to travel between sites, participate in the executive on-call rota and meet Fit and Proper Person requirements.
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Strategic thinker with the ability to connect people, culture and workforce to quality, productivity, finance and performance.
- Compelling communicator with excellent presentation, influencing and public speaking skills.
- Politically astute, system-minded and able to build trust across complex stakeholder groups.
- Highly developed leadership capability, emotional intelligence and resilience under pressure.
- Courage to challenge constructively, simplify complexity and follow through on change.
- Able to interpret complex workforce, financial and performance data and convert insight into action.
- Able to lead through ambiguity, balance competing priorities and maintain grip on delivery.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Executive Chief People Officer with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom; University Hospital Of North Durham, United Kingdom. It is listed as a Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is Negotiable. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 03 Sep 2026.
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