About this role
Job summary
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
About us
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit:Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description Job responsibilities
What you will be responsible for:
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 NHSs 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 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.
Important note on completion of reference section of Application Form
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education Essential
Educated to Masters level (Level 7) or equivalent Evidence of postgraduate study showing the acquisition of specialist knowledge in the area of people and OD Chartered Member of the CIPD or above
Desirable
OD, Coaching or Leadership qualification. Programme/Project Management qualification (e.g. Prince2/MSP).
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Extensive senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation (ideally NHS). Significant experience operating at Board or Executive level, providing strategic workforce and OD leadership. Proven track record of leading multi-disciplinary People & OD teams and senior managers. Demonstrable experience leading organisational development, culture transformation, leadership development and workforce change at scale. Experience delivering workforce redesign, financial workforce efficiency programmes and workforce elements of Trust-wide cost reduction programmes. Strong understanding of national NHS workforce policy, NHS People Plan priorities, regulatory workforce requirements, and employment law. Experience managing large budgets and complex workforce risks. Evidence of effective partnership working across regional/national bodies, regulators, or system-level collaboratives.
Desirable
Experience representing an organisation at national NHS workforce forums Experience in ICS/ICB workforce collaboration or system-level workforce planning Experience leading shared service models or cross-organisational workforce transformation.
Skills & Abilities Essential
Highly developed strategic leadership skills with the ability to influence, challenge and engage Executives and senior clinicians Outstanding communication skills, with ability to present highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to large and diverse audiences. Strong analytical capability, able to interpret complex workforce data and produce insight-driven recommendations Demonstrable ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results at pace in high-pressure environments Expertise in organisational design, change management and culture transformation. Ability to manage sensitive ER issues, workforce risk and organisational change with sound judgement and professionalism. Strong programme and project management skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, persuasion and resilience. Ability to work autonomously while providing visible, collaborative leadership. High level of digital literacy (Microsoft Office, workforce systems, analytics platforms).
Desirable
Experience using advanced workforce analytics tools or modelling platforms. Coaching, facilitation or mediation skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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).
Employer details Employer name The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Trustwide
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3HD
Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)