Head of EDI and People Promise in Norfolk, Norwich

Job summaryAn excellent opportunity has arisen to join the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group as our Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and People Promise. This senior leadership role will lead the development and delivery of a Group-wide vision for workforce inclusion, equality and staff experience across our three hospital sites, supporting a workforce of approximately 18,000 colleagues.Reporting to the Director of Culture, Inclusion and Learning, you will provide essential strategic leadership for EDI and People Promise priorities, ensuring national NHS requirements and statutory obligations are translated into meaningful improvements for colleagues. You'll lead the Group's approach to workforce equality standards, staff experience, staff networks and inclusion programmes, while providing professional leadership to Site Inclusion Partners across the Group.This is a unique and really exciting opportunity for an experienced and influential EDI leader who is passionate about creating an inclusive culture, addressing inequalities and improving employee experience. You'll work closely with senior leaders, staff networks, community partners and Board-level committees to drive measurable change and help create a workplace where every colleague can thrive. Flexible and agile working arrangements are supported, with travel across all three hospital sites required.Main duties of the jobAs Head of EDI and People Promise, you will lead the development and implementation of the Group's workforce EDI strategy, ensuring compliance with the Equality Act, Public Sector Equality Duty and national NHS workforce equality standards. You will oversee key programmes including WRES, WDES, gender pay reporting and anti-racism initiatives, using workforce data and insights to identify priorities and drive improvement.You will lead the Group's People Promise agenda, coordinating staff experience initiatives, staff survey governance, listening frameworks and action planning to improve colleague engagement and wellbeing. Working collaboratively with staff networks, trade union representatives and external partners, you will ensure diverse voices influence organisational decision-making and shape future priorities.The role also includes providing leadership and direction to Site Inclusion Partners, ensuring local delivery aligns to Group objectives while responding to the needs of individual hospital sites. You will provide assurance to senior leaders and Board committees on equality, inclusion and workforce experience outcomes, helping build organisational capability in inclusive leadership and equality practice.About usAs Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and People Promise, you'll join NWUHG at a defining moment. Bringing together three established hospitals -- JPUH, NNUH and QEH -- into a single Group, we're building a unified approach to leadership and care while preserving what makes each site distinct.The Group is undergoing significant structural change, with a new senior leadership team taking shape. As Head of EDI and People Promise, you'll help shape that change directly -- influencing how the Group works now and for years to come.Operating across three sites brings a scale and complexity few roles offer: three patient populations, three cultures, one shared purpose to build. It's a genuine opportunity to develop as a leader in a large, complex, multi-site organisation, working alongside colleagues equally invested in getting it right.Focusing on people supports national priorities--ensuring the workforce is skilled, adaptable, and ready for future models of care--and strengthens NWUHG's overall performance by improving quality, resilience, and sustainability.DetailsDate posted06 August 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8bSalary 66,582 to 77,368 a year Per Anum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number234-26-GROUP-HEDI&PPJob locationsNorfolk and Waveney University Hospitals GroupThe Centrum, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNR4 7UGUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilities Lead and deliver the Group workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and improvement programme. Provide strategic oversight of People Promise delivery, staff experience initiatives and workforce inclusion priorities. Ensure compliance with statutory equality requirements and national NHS workforce equality standards. Lead workforce equality reporting, including WRES, WDES, gender pay gap and related improvement actions. Analyse workforce data to identify inequalities, inform decision-making and drive measurable improvement. Develop and support staff networks and inclusion forums to strengthen colleague engagement and influence. Provide professional leadership, supervision and direction to Site Inclusion Partners across the Group. Build effective partnerships with senior leaders, staff representatives, community organisations and external stakeholders. Deliver assurance, performance reporting and expert advice to Boards, committees and senior leadership teams. Support the development of an inclusive culture aligned to the Group's PRIDE values and commitment to creating a positive experience for all colleagues.Please note this position is advertised as a Band 8b subject to job evaluation confirmation Job description Job responsibilities Lead and deliver the Group workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and improvement programme. Provide strategic oversight of People Promise delivery, staff experience initiatives and workforce inclusion priorities. Ensure compliance with statutory equality requirements and national NHS workforce equality standards. Lead workforce equality reporting, including WRES, WDES, gender pay gap and related improvement actions. Analyse workforce data to identify inequalities, inform decision-making and drive measurable improvement. Develop and support staff networks and inclusion forums to strengthen colleague engagement and influence. Provide professional leadership, supervision and direction to Site Inclusion Partners across the Group. Build effective partnerships with senior leaders, staff representatives, community organisations and external stakeholders. Deliver assurance, performance reporting and expert advice to Boards, committees and senior leadership teams. Support the development of an inclusive culture aligned to the Group's PRIDE values and commitment to creating a positive experience for all colleagues.Please note this position is advertised as a Band 8b subject to job evaluation confirmationPerson Specification Qualifications EssentialDegree level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.Chartered Member of the CIPD, or equivalent demonstrable professional standing. Experience EssentialProven experience of delivering statutory EDI report including, gender pay gap and equality action planning with measurable outcomes.Significant experience of leading workforce EDI strategy and statutory equality programmes in a large, complex organisation.DesirableNHS experience, including system-wide EDI governance and corporate strategy; People Promise implementation. Skills EssentialExpert knowledge of the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty and workforce equality standards.Well-developed influencing, engagement and facilitation skills across diverse audiences. Personal Attributes EssentialCourageous, compassionate and credible inclusion leadership consistent with the Group's valuesCommitment to equality, diversity and inclusion as a personal and professional priority. Person Specification Qualifications EssentialDegree level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience.Chartered Member of the CIPD, or equivalent demonstrable professional standing. Experience EssentialProven experience of delivering statutory EDI report including, gender pay gap and equality action planning with measurable outcomes.Significant experience of leading workforce EDI strategy and statutory equality programmes in a large, complex organisation.DesirableNHS experience, including system-wide EDI governance and corporate strategy; People Promise implementation. Skills EssentialExpert knowledge of the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty and workforce equality standards.Well-developed influencing, engagement and facilitation skills across diverse audiences. Personal Attributes EssentialCourageous, compassionate and credible inclusion leadership consistent with the Group's valuesCommitment to equality, diversity and inclusion as a personal and professional priority.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer nameNorfolk and Norwich University HospitalAddressNorfolk and Waveney University Hospitals GroupThe Centrum, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNR4 7UGUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameNorfolk and Norwich University HospitalAddressNorfolk and Waveney University Hospitals GroupThe Centrum, Norwich Research ParkNorwichNR4 7UGUnited KingdomEmployer's website