Chief People Officer(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
is seeking an exceptional senior leader to join its Executive Board as Chief People Officer (CPO), leading the organisation’s workforce, culture, and organisational development strategy during a period of major transformation and innovation in children’s healthcare.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the world’s most renowned paediatric hospitals at a time of rapid scientific, technological, and service delivery change.

About the Organisation

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust has been delivering world-class specialist care for nearly 175 years and is internationally recognised for its excellence in treating children with complex and rare conditions.

The Trust is currently undergoing a significant period of evolution, including:

• Development of a new Children’s Cancer Centre (opening 2029)
  Expansion of genomics-driven medicine across care pathways
  Integration of artificial intelligence into clinical planning and delivery
  Strengthening partnerships with research, charity, and external healthcare organisations
  Continued transformation toward more community-based care models

These developments sit alongside financial pressures and system-wide healthcare challenges requiring innovative leadership and workforce transformation.

Role Overview

The Chief People Officer will play a central role in shaping the people strategy of the organisation, ensuring that Great Ormond Street Hospital attracts, develops, and retains the highest quality workforce to deliver outstanding patient care.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Team, the postholder will lead the development of a modern, inclusive, and high-performing organisational culture that supports innovation, accountability, and collaboration.

The role requires strong leadership in complex systems, influencing across organisational boundaries, and guiding large-scale transformation in workforce design and organisational development.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief People Officer will:

• Lead the overall Human Resources and Organisational Development strategy
  Shape workforce planning and future operating models across the Trust
  Drive cultural transformation and leadership development initiatives
  Strengthen employee engagement, wellbeing, and organisational effectiveness
  Support executive-level decision-making and governance
  Build and sustain effective partnerships across NHS, academic, and charity sectors
  Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and staff experience at all levels
  Oversee change management across large-scale organisational transformation programmes

A key expectation of the role is the ability to lead through influence, collaboration, and shared accountability rather than direct control.

Candidate Profile

The Trust is seeking an experienced senior leader who can demonstrate:

• Proven executive-level leadership in HR, OD, or workforce strategy within large complex organisations
  Experience operating within multi-layered, regulated systems such as healthcare or public sector environments
  Strong capability in leading organisational transformation and workforce redesign
  High-level communication skills, with confidence operating in high-profile and scrutinised environments
  Ability to build trust, enable distributed leadership, and influence across senior stakeholders
  Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and organisational integrity
  Experience working with boards, executive teams, and external partners

Organisational Values

The Trust operates under core values that guide all staff and leadership:

• Always welcoming
  Always helpful
  Always expert
  Always one team

Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong alignment with these values and evidence of inclusive leadership practice.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and is recognised as a Disability Confident Employer and Stonewall Diversity Champion.

The organisation actively supports staff networks including:

• LGBTQ+ communities
  Disabled staff and long-term health conditions network
  Women’s network
  BAME and ally networks

Applications are strongly encouraged from underrepresented groups.

Application Process

Candidates are required to submit:

• A detailed CV
  A covering letter outlining suitability and leadership experience
  Current salary details
  Contact details for three referees

Applications should be submitted via the executive recruitment platform provided in the candidate brief.

Right to Work & Safeguarding Requirements

This role is subject to enhanced safeguarding checks due to contact with vulnerable children and young people.

Helpful official resources include:

• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
  Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
  NHS Careers
  UK Government – Working in the UK
  NHS England Leadership & Workforce Strategy

Employer Information

Employer

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Location

• Great Ormond Street Hospital
  London, WC1N 3JH
  United Kingdom