At West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we are proud to be an anchor organisation, deeply rooted in the communities of West Herts and the surrounding areas. With over 5,000 dedicated staff and serving more than 650,000 patients annually, we prioritise patient care above all else. Our commitment to excellence drives us to explore innovative ways of working and deliver exceptional care to those we serve. Our core values, encapsulated in " Commitment, Care, Quality," guide our actions and interactions. These values delineate our approach to collaborating with patients, their families, friends, and partners, outlining the standards they can anticipate from all members of our team, including volunteers and contractors.

The Opportunity

As Chief People Officer, you will join our dynamic Board during a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will provide inspirational leadership to our workforce functions, ensuring alignment with our new five-year strategy and refreshed vision and values launching in April 2024. You will lead efforts to embed our values across all teams, driving a culture of empowerment, compassion, professionalism, and inclusivity.

In this critical Board leadership role, you will lead the People and Organisational Development directorate, cultivating a culture of excellence and innovation. Your responsibilities will also entail spearheading initiatives aimed at boosting staff engagement, retention, and morale. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with clinical leaders to develop strategies to address workforce requirements in preparation for our digitally enabled future. Additionally, you will champion our teaching hospital status, nurturing partnerships with educational institutions and enhancing our reputation as a leading teaching organisation. Your involvement will be instrumental in the New Hospital Programme, ensuring our workforce is well-prepared for the construction of the new Watford General Hospital starting in 2026.

The Person

We are seeking an exceptional, talented and high potential leader with a track record of success at Board or sub-board level from an NHS or related public sector organisation of similar scale and complexity. You will be either an established or aspirant Chief People Officer with demonstrated achievements in organisational effectiveness, culture change, and people strategies. A highly experienced HR practitioner you will possess well developed leadership skills with a strategic mindset and be committed to driving organisational development and showcase the knowledge, passion and energy to guide our Trust through the next phase in our development.

If you are a visionary leader with a drive to achieve excellence, we want to hear from you. We offer a supportive environment, a collaborative team, and the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our patients and staff. Please contact our retained advisors at Alumni Global for a confidential discussion, Rabiya Ali, Principal Researcher via rabiya.ali@alumniglobal.com or +44 754 574 11 53