Deputy Chief People Officer / Associate Director of Organisational Development

We are proud of the care we provide and the difference our colleagues make every day. Now, as we strengthen our culture and ways of working, we are creating a new role, Deputy Chief People Officer / Associate Director of Organisational Development, Inclusion and Learning & Development to help shape the next chapter of our Trust's journey.
This is a unique opportunity to join us at a time of real momentum and possibility - contributing to a programme of change that is focused on:
Building a positive, compassionate, inclusive and values-led workplace culture
Supporting our people to thrive, develop and feel proud of the work they do
Embedding compassionate leadership and continuous improvement

Main duties of the job
The Deputy Chief People Officer / Associate Director of Organisational Development deputises for the Chief People Officer across the full range of people, workforce and organisational development responsibilities, representing the function at Board level and in external and system-wide forums. As a senior member of the People Senior Leadership Team, the post holder provides strategic leadership to the Organisational Development, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Learning and Development portfolios, ensuring delivery of the Trust's People Strategy and associated workforce programmes.
The role leads the design and delivery of organisation-wide organisational development, leadership, talent and succession strategies, supporting culture change, staff engagement and inclusion. Acting as a senior advisor to the Executive Team, the post holder influences organisational design, workforce planning and capability development to ensure the Trust has the capacity, capability and values-led culture required to deliver its strategic objectives and high-quality services.

Working for our organisation
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate services to the communities we serve, supported by a values-led, inclusive and people-centred culture. We place strong emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusion, recognising that our strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the contribution of every individual.
Our staff are expected to uphold the Trust's CARE values, demonstrate professional integrity and contribute to a supportive environment where challenge, learning and continuous improvement are encouraged. We are committed to excellent governance, staff development and wellbeing, and to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace where colleagues are supported to deliver their best for patients, service users and communities., The Deputy Chief People Officer / Associate Director of Organisational Development is a senior strategic role within the Trust, providing leadership across organisational development, workforce capability, leadership, talent, inclusion and culture. The post holder supports and deputises for the Chief People Officer, representing the Trust at Board level and in external and system-wide settings, and contributing to strategic decision making on people and workforce matters.
As a member of the People Senior Leadership Team, the role plays a central part in shaping, delivering and assuring the Trust's People Strategy and associated delivery plans. The post holder works closely with executive colleagues and system partners to ensure that organisational design, workforce planning and leadership development enable the delivery of high quality, sustainable services. The role also provides professional leadership across key People Directorate functions, ensuring strong governance, effective performance management and high quality service delivery to divisions.
Main Responsibilities
+ Shape and lead the Trust's organisational development approach, ensuring OD, culture and change activity is aligned to strategic priorities and supports delivery of the Trust's objectives.
+ Lead and oversee major change and transformation programmes, providing expert leadership and acting as a catalyst for organisational improvement.
+ Drive the development of leadership capability across the organisation through leadership, management and team development frameworks, coaching and succession planning.
+ Provide strategic oversight of talent management, workforce capability and future skills development, supporting new roles and new ways of working.
+ Lead the Trust's statutory and mandatory training provision and training needs analysis, ensuring learning activity is effective, efficient and value adding.
+ Champion staff engagement and inclusion, embedding equality, diversity and inclusion across organisational development and workforce practices and promoting co-production.
+ Oversee staff feedback and culture insight, including the Trust's Staff Survey and culture dashboards, using data to support continuous improvement.
+ Provide expert advice on complex organisational, cultural and workforce issues, and lead the development and implementation of OD- and people related policies.
+ Prepare high quality reports and briefings for senior leaders, Trust committees and the Board.
+ Manage delegated budgets within the portfolio, including learning, OD and apprenticeship funding, and support transformation and cost improvement activity.
+ Lead, manage and develop the Organisational Development, EDI and Training and Development teams, providing visible, inclusive and compassionate leadership aligned to the Trust's CARE values.
+ Act as deputy to the Chief People Officer as required and represent the Trust internally and externally.
For more information and an informal chat with Kerry Smith, Chief People Officer, please contact: Anna Tyas, EA.
Interviews are due to take place: 21^st May 2026 (subject change).
Applying and timelines
We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you haven't heard by then, you haven't been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.
Pay and contracts
Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us - your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.
Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.
Standards and checks
· Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you don't have it yet, we'll support you to complete it in post.
· Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record won't automatically prevent employment. We consider the role and individual circumstances.
· We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke free Trust.
Inclusion, equality and adjustments
· We are an equal opportunities employer and offer flexible working.
· We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ+-inclusive Trust.
· We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services, including Black and Asian colleagues, Disabled people (including non-visible disabilities such as neurodiversity and mental health) and LGBTQ+ people.
· Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process.
Our culture and values
Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. You'll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people. If you want to contribute, learn and progress, this is a great time to join us.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and we're hiring people who want to shape what comes next.
Formed on 1 April 2020 through the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, we're now focused on the future with a new Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme.
What we do
· Adult and older adult mental health
· Children and young people's mental health
· Specialist learning disability services
· Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley
Why join now
· We've got real momentum right now. New strategy, clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.
· Our values aren't just posters. People are genuinely compassionate, take responsibility, treat you with respect and help you feel confident and empowered.
· You'll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and chances to learn with coaching and development.
· There's room to grow. Loads of services to explore and real space to try ideas and be heard.
· It's a good place to live. Friendly diverse communities, easy transport, good schools and colleges, shopping, food, lots to do, plenty of green space and a lower cost of living than many other city regions.
What it's like to work here
You'll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share caseload pressures, and celebrate wins. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate. You'll have space to do good work, speak up, and see the difference you make.
Who we are
We're 4,000+ colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you're excited about the role but don't tick every box, please apply. We value potential and transferable experience., An exciting new role at the heart of Culture, Compassion and Change at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is entering a significant and exciting period of transformation - one where culture, compassion and people experience are at the heart of how we deliver our mental health and learning disability services.