At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape the People and Culture strategy in a dynamic NHS environment.
- Company: Join East London NHS Foundation Trust, known for its commitment to improvement and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a collaborative and innovative organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare by empowering staff and enhancing community services.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in HR, strong leadership skills, and a passion for people development.
The predicted salary is between 103102 - 117560 £ per year.
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:
- Play a pivotal role in translating our organisational strategy into a compelling and inclusive People agenda.
- Provide expert strategic advice to leaders, while leading and developing high-performing People and Culture operational teams.
- Drive transformation and continuous improvement across areas such as People strategy and workforce transformation, workforce planning and productivity, and People analytics and evidence-based decision making.
- Champion a culture in which our people feel valued, heard and empowered to make a difference.
About you:
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.
- A commitment to improving the experience of our staff and the communities we serve.
About us:
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.
Details:
- Date posted: 14 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8d
- Salary: 103,102 to 117,560 a year per annum Inc HCA
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 363-CP8229598
- Job locations: Robert Dolan House, 9 Alie Street, London, E1 8DE, United Kingdom
Application closing date: 14 September 2026 (noon)
Shortlisting: 15 September 2026
Stakeholder sessions and interviews: 25 September 2026
Person Specification:
Education / 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.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship:
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Registration:
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
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