Group Chief People, Culture and Improvement Officer

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust & Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Wolverhampton / Walsall

  • Location Wolverhampton / Walsall
  • Sector Health
  • Client The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust & Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration Competitive
  • Reference GSe124882
  • Closing Date 9am Monday 8th September 2025

Be the Catalyst for Culture. Lead People Strategy at Scale.

Are you a visionary leader with the ambition to shape the future of healthcare through people, culture, and transformation? As our current Chief People Officer prepares for retirement, we are seeking an exceptional successor to lead this critical portfolio across two of the most forward-thinking NHS Trusts in the Midlands.

Together, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust serve a population of over 800,000 people and employ more than 12,000 substantive staff. With a combined turnover of over £1.5 billion, the Group is one of the largest and most integrated healthcare partnerships in the region. This is a rare opportunity to lead at scale, influence across systems, and make a lasting impact on the lives of patients and staff alike.

You will be joining us at a pivotal moment. Our Group model is maturing, and we are delivering against a bold and ambitious strategy that aligns closely with the national NHS Long Term Plan. This strategy is focused on three transformative shifts: moving care closer to home and into communities; embracing digital innovation to free up staff and empower patients; and shifting from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. These priorities are not just national ambitions—they are embedded in our local vision for a healthier, more equitable future.

At the heart of this transformation is our people.  We know that culture is not a by-produce of strategy -it is the strategy.  That’s why this role is so critical.  As Group People, Culture and Improvement Officer, you will be at the heart of this, as the driving force behind creating a culture where every colleague feels valued, heard, and inspired.  You will lead the development and delivery of a progressive, system-aligned people focussed strategy that supports our long-term goals and reflects the values of compassion, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

You will work closely with the Group Chief Executive and Board to shape and embed a culture of engagement, trust, and psychological safety - where leaders lead with authenticity, teams thrive, and improvement is everyone’s business. You will shape how we attract, develop, and retain talent, how we support wellbeing and belonging, and how we create the conditions for people to do their best work every day.

This is a role for a strategic, values-led leader with a proven track record of delivering cultural and workforce transformation in complex, high-performing organisations. You will bring deep expertise in organisational development, leadership, and engagement, along with the credibility and confidence to influence at the highest levels. You will be passionate about people and relentless in your commitment to building inclusive, supportive environments where everyone can thrive.

More than a leadership role—this is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of healthcare through people. If you are ready to lead with purpose, drive meaningful change, and make a difference at scale, we would love to hear from you.

 

For a confidential conversation, please contact our Executive Search partners at GatenbySanderson:

 

Laura Cubillo-Aparicio, Researcher

E:  Laura.Cubillo-Aparicio@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 75867 06878

 

Melanie West, Senior Consultant

E: melanie.west@gatenbysanderson.com 

T: +44 (0) 7384 464 187

 

Melanie Shearer, Partner

E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548

 

 

 

 

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