Deputy Director of People & Culture

Recruitment Video Message from Tanya Carter (FCIPD) Chief People Officer Deputy Director of People & Culture Band 8d | East London NHS Foundation Trust East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) is seeking an exceptional and values-driven Deputy Director of People & Culture to join our People and Culture leadership team. This is a significant opportunity for an experienced senior People professional to help shape and deliver an ambitious People and Culture strategy across a complex and diverse NHS organisation. Working closely with the Chief People Officer and senior colleagues across the Trust, you will provide strategic leadership across key areas of the People agenda, ensuring that our workforce is supported, empowered and equipped to deliver outstanding care and services to our communities. Main duties of the job As Deputy Director of People & Culture, you will play a pivotal role in translating our organisational strategy into a compelling and inclusive People agenda. You will provide expert strategic advice to leaders, while leading and developing high-performing People and Culture operational teams. The role will include responsibility for driving transformation and continuous improvement across areas such as: People strategy and workforce transformation Workforce planning and productivity People analytics and evidence-based decision making You will champion a culture in which our people feel valued, heard and empowered to make a difference.

We are looking for an inspirational and credible senior People Leader who can operate confidently and deputise for the Chief People Officer and translate strategic priorities into meaningful outcomes for staff and patients. You will bring:

• Senior-level experience within a complex organisation, ideally within the NHS or another large public/healthcare environment.
• A strong track record of leading People and Culture transformation and organisational change.
• Exceptional strategic leadership and influencing skills.
• The credibility, resilience and emotional intelligence to build strong relationships with colleagues at every level.

Most importantly, you will share ELFT’s commitment to improving the experience of our staff and the communities we serve., * Degree or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience.

• Postgraduate qualification in HR, organisational development, workforce, leadership or related discipline, or equivalent senior professional experience.
• Chartered Member or Fellow member of CIPD or equivalent professional standing.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Masters level qualification or equivalent;

Experience Essential

• Significant senior People / HR leadership experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of coordinating delivery across multiple senior portfolios or functions.
• Experience of workforce planning, organisational change, staff experience, employee relations, and People strategy delivery.
• Experience of advising senior leaders on complex people matters.
• Experience of working with staff side / trade union colleagues.
• Experience of coordinating assurance, governance, risk or performance reporting.
• Experience of budget management and financial stewardship.

Desirable

• Experience within the NHS or a similarly complex public sector environment.
• Experience of annual planning, cost improvement / financial viability workstreams or operating model change.
• Experience of workforce systems transformation or data quality improvement.

Knowledge Essential

• Strong knowledge of strategic and operational People practice.
• Understanding of workforce planning, employee relations, recruitment, organisational development, learning, and staff experience.
• Ability to coordinate complex programmes across multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse and present workforce, financial and performance information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence senior colleagues without relying solely on formal authority.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities and sensitive issues.
• Ability to identify risks, dependencies and decisions requiring escalation.
• Strong commitment to equality, inclusion, staff experience and continuous improvement.

Person Specification educaEducation / Qualification / Training Essential

• Degree or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience.
• Postgraduate qualification in HR, organisational development, workforce, leadership or related discipline, or equivalent senior professional experience.
• Chartered Member or Fellow member of CIPD or equivalent professional standing.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Masters level qualification or equivalent;

Experience Essential

• Significant senior People / HR leadership experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of coordinating delivery across multiple senior portfolios or functions.
• Experience of workforce planning, organisational change, staff experience, employee relations, and People strategy delivery.
• Experience of advising senior leaders on complex people matters.
• Experience of working with staff side / trade union colleagues.
• Experience of coordinating assurance, governance, risk or performance reporting.
• Experience of budget management and financial stewardship.

Desirable

• Experience within the NHS or a similarly complex public sector environment.
• Experience of annual planning, cost improvement / financial viability workstreams or operating model change.
• Experience of workforce systems transformation or data quality improvement.

Knowledge Essential

• Strong knowledge of strategic and operational People practice.
• Understanding of workforce planning, employee relations, recruitment, organisational development, learning, and staff experience.
• Ability to coordinate complex programmes across multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse and present workforce, financial and performance information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence senior colleagues without relying solely on formal authority.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities and sensitive issues.
• Ability to identify risks, dependencies and decisions requiring escalation.
• Strong commitment to equality, inclusion, staff experience and continuous improvement.

Why ELFT? ELFT is an ambitious and innovative NHS Foundation Trust with a strong reputation for improvement, inclusion and collaborative working. This is an exciting time to join ELFT as we continue to strengthen our culture, develop our workforce and deliver sustainable improvements across the Trust. If you are an effective People leader who is passionate about creating a great workplace we would be delighted to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of People and Culture at ELFT.