Executive Director of People & Culture

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 19 October 2026

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Executive Director of People and Culture

Location:

West Park Hospital, Darlington Salary:
Attractive VSM

As Executive Director of People and Culture, you will be a voting Executive Director, Trust Board member and the Trust's most senior people professional. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead the strategic people, workforce and organisational development agenda, ensuring our people strategy, culture and workforce plans enable delivery of our organisational ambitions. Working closely with Board colleagues, operational leaders and system partners, you will provide expert advice, assurance and constructive challenge on workforce performance, organisational development, leadership, inclusion, colleague experience and workforce sustainability.

This is an opportunity to shape the future culture and capability of a large and complex NHS organisation at a pivotal stage in its development.

We are seeking an experienced and credible people leader with significant experience operating at, or close to, Board level within a large and complex organisation. You will bring a broad track record of leading HR, workforce and organisational development services, alongside a strong understanding of NHS governance, regulation and the financial context in which NHS organisations operate. You will have experience of driving workforce transformation, organisational change and cultural improvement, with the ability to influence and build trust at the most senior levels.

Above all, you will be a compassionate, inclusive and values-driven leader who is passionate about creating an outstanding place to work and supporting colleagues to deliver exceptional care for our communities.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability and autism services to more than 2 million people across County Durham, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire and York. Our dedicated staff operate from more than 90 sites, working in partnership with patients, carers, communities and system partners to deliver high-quality care.

Whilst we have made significant progress in improving our services, we remain rated 'Requires Improvement' by the CQC. With a new Chair and Chief Executive, a refreshed Board, and a renewed focus on transparency, learning and improvement, we are committed to building a stronger, safer and more compassionate organisation. Guided by Our Journey to Change and our values of Respect, Compassion and Responsibility, we are determined to create an environment where colleagues can thrive and provide the very best care for those who rely on our services.

We want our Board to be as inclusive and diverse as possible, and we are keen to attract candidates who can bring diverse perspectives. We warmly welcome expressions of interest from the widest possible range of backgrounds, particularly those who are under-represented at board level in the NHS.

• Master's degree level education or equivalent knowledge, training and experience.
• Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD)
• Evidence of significant continuing professional development

• Extensive senior people, workforce or organisational development leadership and management experience within a large, complex organisation
• Significant experience operating at or close to Board, Executive Director or equivalent senior leadership and management level
• Track record of designing and delivering effective people strategies, workforce transformation, organisational redesign and organisation-wide cultural change with measurable impact on organisational performance, colleague experience and outcomes
• Experience of providing clear, evidence-based advice and assurance to Boards and Board committees on workforce performance, risks, controls and improvement
• Experience of using workforce analytics, benchmarking and qualitative insight to influence strategic decisions, anticipate risk and drive improvement
• Experience of leading and managing high-performing multidisciplinary People and Culture functions, including HR and organisational development
• Experience of effective partnership working with trade unions, system, professional bodies, regulators and other stakeholders
• Experience of leading…