Executive Chief People Officer

Overview

Job title:

Executive Chief People Officer / Executive Director, People, Culture and Workforce

We are looking for an experienced Executive Director to join our Executive Leadership Team at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust to lead and develop our people, culture and workforce agenda. The Executive Chief People Officer will be a strategic leader for a range of innovative people, workforce and organisational development strategies which will support our improvement and culture journey.

As the strategic people lead, the Executive Chief People Officer is accountable for all matters relating to people, culture and workforce for the Trust, with a portfolio including:

• Workforce, OD and Culture
• Organisational Development / Leadership Capability and Cultural Change
• Workforce Planning Systems and Process
• Recruitment and Retention Strategy, Transactional HR Processes and Payroll
• Service Improvement, Employee Relations
• Occupational Health and Wellbeing, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Staff engagement, staff survey, Freedom to Speak Up, and oversight of the Trust's Programme Management Office (including CIP PMO) are also part of the remit. The role will lead the implementation of the Trust's people, culture, and workforce strategies through a transformation programme aligned with the Trust's development plan.

Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 2 March 2026.

This role is part of the Executive Leadership Team and reports directly to the Chief Executive. You will be responsible for ensuring the Trust has the right people, culture and workforce strategies and services in place to ensure patient care is delivered to the highest possible standards. The post holder will provide professional leadership to people, culture and workforce teams and support a broad executive portfolio.

You will work with the Executive Team to develop and deliver a workforce strategy for both medical and non-medical colleagues to support the longer-term sustainability of the organisation through its people. You will also ensure robust arrangements for all aspects of people, culture and workforce matters, including strategic oversight of the workforce strategies for the Trust.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust provides high quality, personalised acute, elective, specialist and community care for a population of over 320,000 across multiple locations. The Trust aspires to be representative of the communities it serves and actively seeks applications from diverse backgrounds. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter via the Trac system outlining how you meet the role specification and essential criteria.

Date posted: 20 January 2026

Pay scheme:
Very Senior Manager (VSM)

Salary:
Depending on experience

Contract:

Permanent

Working pattern:
Full-time

Reference number: 262-A-

Job locations:
Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, CA2 7HY

Please see the attached job description and person specification for the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a DBS check will be carried out. Costs may be met by the successful candidate through salary deduction.

Certificate of Sponsorship:
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK will be considered. Guidance is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website. Applicants should check eligibility prior to applying.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration where applicable. See NHS Careers for details.

Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant applicants who meet essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. Relocation assistance may be available for eligible posts. Please ensure you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information. Applications may close earlier than the stated closing date if sufficient responses are received. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email to log into Trac to select an interview time.

• Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MSc or MA) or other relevant postgraduate qualification or an equivalent demonstrable portfolio of experience
• Chartered Fellow of the CIPD
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development

• Board level experience
• At least 3 years' senior management experience in an NHS trust, operating at or near Board level
• Expert knowledge of transformation and strategy within the NHS, including the 10-year plan
• Experience of leading organisational change, benefits realisation, and workforce strategies
• Experience of improving services and patient/staff experience through engagement
• Experience of delivering high productivity and efficiency and leading on organisational strategies
• Understanding of NHS policy, governance, legal requirements and…