Deputy Director of People

Are you a transformative Organisational Development (OD) and Communications leader ready to drive impactful change across a large, complex NHS Trust?

In this newly created role, we are seeking an exceptional Deputy Director of People (OD & Communications) to play a fundamental role in strategically leading organisational development and communication initiatives that empower a highly engaged, skilled, and well-informed NHS workforce, ultimately enhancing the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care delivered directly to patients.

This is a pivotal leadership role, deputising for the Chief People Officer and directly managing both our OD and Communications teams. You'll drive our Organisational Development, inclusion, and engagement agenda, helping us build a truly exceptional workplace, creating a comprehensive and planned approach to staff engagement that resonates across our three counties, 7000+ staff, and £700m+ turnover and be instrumental in shaping our people agenda, ensuring we attract, develop, and retain a skilled, compassionate workforce.

This is a critical opportunity to ensure our internal and external messaging is cohesive, compelling, and reaches every corner of our diverse workforce, across all staffing groups.

Main duties of the job

This is more than a management role; it’s about strategic influence and innovation. You will:

• Lead a strategic audit of our current internal and external communications, assessing "fit for purpose" and setting new priorities.
• Maximise the use of all of our communication channels both internally and externally and work to ensure we have an employer brand that stands out from the crowd and speaks to our staff and patients and external stakeholders.
• Develop a dynamic staff engagement and experience framework, leveraging multiple platforms to build commitment and drive retention.
• Collaborate closely with Learning & Development to develop and embed our culture and behaviour framework, fostering leadership development.
• Oversee vital OD functions including Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Health & Wellbeing, and Occupational Health, ensuring a holistic staff experience bringing well honed analytical skills to bear.
• Deputise for the Chief People Officer, representing the People function at Board and Executive level, with internal and external partners.

This role is based at our Littlemore Mental Health Centre in Oxford and travel will be required to various sites across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”

Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be a proven strategic HR leader with exceptional gravitas and a strong background in both Organisational Development and Communications. Your ability to lead by example, build strong relationships, and maintain a keen eye on delivery across a wide geographical area is paramount. You thrive in a dynamic, stable environment and are passionate about enhancing the staff experience.

If you are ready to apply your OD expertise and communications acumen to make a profound difference to thousands of NHS professionals, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to lead, innovate, and contribute to the heart of our organisation's success.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven Strategic OD Leadership: Extensive experience in developing and implementing Organisational Development strategies, including culture change and employee experience within large, complex organisations.

Desirable criteria

• Multi-Trust/Board Engagement: Experience working effectively across multiple NHS Trusts or Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), influencing diverse stakeholder groups at executive and board levels.
• Large-Scale Digital Engagement Transformation: Proven success in leading the development and implementation of modern digital internal communication platforms (e.g., new intranets) and innovative staff engagement technologies across a dispersed workforce.
• NHS Culture & People Strategy Expertise: In-depth understanding and experience of current NHS people priorities, workforce challenges, and the national agenda for staff wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Board-Level Influence & Engagement: Proven ability to operate at Board and Executive level, providing expert advice, influencing strategic decisions, and effectively representing the people agenda with gravitas.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Expert Internal & External Communications Management: Demonstrable track record of leading comprehensive internal and external communications strategies, with a specific focus on driving staff engagement and employer branding.