Deputy Chief People Officer

Job summary

Deputy Chief People Officer

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Help shape the future of healthcare through exceptional people leadership

At Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, more than 15,000 colleagues deliver outstanding care, drive world-leading research, educate the next generation of healthcare professionals, and improve lives across Oxfordshire and beyond.

We're looking for an exceptional Deputy Chief People Officer to help lead this agenda.

This is more than a senior HR role. It is an opportunity to influence the future of one of the UK's most respected teaching trusts, working alongside an ambitious Executive Team to create an inclusive, high-performing culture where our people can thrive and deliver their very best for patients.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will play a pivotal role in delivering our ambitious People Plan, leading transformation at scale and helping shape the workforce of the future. You will bring together strategic vision and operational excellence, champion inclusion and belonging, and help ensure our people services are innovative, responsive and focused on what matters most.

Main duties of the job

About the role

As Deputy Chief People Officer, you will be a key member of the People Directorate senior leadership team and a trusted partner to executive and clinical leaders across the Trust.

You will be comfortable leading through complexity, bringing clarity in times of uncertainty, and tackling difficult challenges with courage, compassion and integrity.

You will:

• Lead major people transformation and organisational change programmes.
• Drive continuous improvement across people services.
• Champion inclusive leadership, staff experience and organisational culture.
• Strengthen governance, performance and workforce outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships across the Trust, the wider NHS and national networks.
• Deputise for the Chief People Officer and contribute to Board-level leadership and decision making.

About us

Why join Oxford University Hospitals?

OUH is one of the largest and most prestigious NHS teaching trusts in England, combining exceptional patient care with internationally recognised research, education and innovation.

Our values of Compassion, Respect, Learning, Delivery, Improvement and Excellenceunderpin everything we do. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to bring their whole selves to work.

We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates from groups currently underrepresented in senior NHS leadership roles. OUH People Plan 2025-28 - YouTube

OneTeamOneOUH - LIVING OUR VALUES

If you are ready for a role with real influence, meaningful impact and a clear pathway towards Chief People Officer leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help create a workplace where our people, and the patients they serve, can flourish.

Job responsibilities

About you

We're looking for a values-driven leader who combines strategic insight with a genuine passion for people.

You will bring:

• Significant senior HR and workforce leadership experience within the NHS.
• A strong track record of leading transformation and delivering measurable organisational impact and handling ambiguity
• The credibility and influence to work confidently at executive and board level.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and political acuity.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion and creating environments where everyone can belong and succeed.

Most importantly, you will be driven by the belief that great patient care starts with great people leadership.

All applications will be managed by Morgan Law therefore, your application, name, email address and mobile number will be shared with them to support the screening process.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to a master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or relevant field; or equivalent post-graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience in HR leadership roles.

Desirable

• oChartered Member of the CIPD or equivalent professional body

Experience

Essential

• oExtensive experience in HR leadership, including substantial management experience in the NHS at a senior level.
• oExtensive experience of performance management, compliance and risk management.
• oAbility to deliver in a complex organisation within challenging timescales.
• oAbility to think and act strategically and to articulate a clear sense of direction and vision to a wide audience