Deputy Chief People Officer | Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 16 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £115,120 - £131,578 pa. Inclusive of HCAS (Outer) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 March 2026 |
| Location: | Teddington, TW11 8HU |
| Company: | Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7811568/396-7811568-OA-AC |
Summary
We are recruiting an experienced and values-driven Deputy Chief People Officer to join us at a pivotal moment for our newly merged organisation. The Trust is now entering an exciting phase of transformation — creating a rare opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on our people, culture and organisational direction. Working closely with the Chief People Officer and leaders across the organisation and the system, this senior role will also play a pivotal role in developing and implementing our people strategy for all our people, in line with our ambition to deliver the best care to patients across our communities across integrated pathways both within and outside the hospital, in line with the 10-Year Plan.
This role offers an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious HR professional who aspires to become a future Chief People Officer. You will gain extensive strategic exposure, system-level experience and the chance to shape the workforce and culture of a newly formed, forward-looking organisation.
As a key member of the senior People leadership team, you will:
· Play a lead role in driving forward the development and delivery of our People Strategy, working closely with the Chief People Officer and leaders across the organisation
· Contribute to and shape long-term strategic workforce priorities, ensuring our people agenda supports the Trust’s future direction
· Oversee core workforce functions including HR Business Partnering, Workforce Planning, EDI and Reward
· Lead and manage the Trust’s Employee Relations function, ensuring high-quality, consistent and values-based ER practice as well as best practice policy development and implementation
· Drive innovation and proactive, strategic approaches to employee relations, promoting early intervention, improved culture and reduced escalation and taking innovative and leading edge approaches to improve quality and experience
· Work with the Head of Employee Relations to provide expert guidance on complex and high-risk ER matters, working closely with staff-side colleagues
· Lead major organisational development and cultural change programmes
· Strengthen collaborative working across the South West London Integrated Care System
· Champion an inclusive, compassionate and high-performing workforce
Development and staff wellbeing
Your growth and personal happiness matters to us. After all, we can’t expect the best from you if we don’t invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we’re committed to fostering your professional and personal development within a supportive, empowering environment. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.
What we’re looking for In exchange
We are seeking a highly credible senior HR leader with:
· Significant experience in developing, influencing and delivering People Strategy at organisational level
· Strong and extensive employee relations experience, including innovative and proactive ER approaches
· A proven track record of leading large-scale organisational change
· Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to influence at Executive and Board level
· Up-to-date knowledge of modern HR practice, NHS workforce challenges and UK employment legislation
· A strong commitment to improving staff experience and embedding people-centred cultures
· Ideally, senior-level experience within the NHS, or equivalent experience in a complex and unionised environment
This role offers an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious HR professional who aspires to become a future Chief People Officer. You will gain extensive strategic exposure, system-level experience and the chance to shape the workforce and culture of a newly formed, forward-looking organisation.
If you want to make a genuine difference and help drive the next phase of transformation at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information and also the person specification for this role.
If you want to make a genuine difference and help drive the next phase of transformation at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further details and the recruitment pack please contact Sam Eales at Morgan Law sameales@morgan-law.com or 07785 241 561 / 0207 747 4949.
This advert closes on Sunday 8 Mar 2026