Job vacancy: Director of People – City and Weston, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol

Job summary

Main area: Human Resources
Grade: VSM
Contract: 12 months (fixed-term or secondment)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 387-TS5852-LC

Employer: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Trust Headquarters
Town: Bristol
Salary: VSM
Closing: 10/08/2026 23:59

Director of People – City and Weston

VSM

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1^st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see a full description of the role and main responsibilities in the attached job description document.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria

Educated to Master’s degree in organisational development or strategic HRM or equivalent level management qualification or equivalent senior practical experience
Evidence of management leadership/training and continuous professional development.
Fellow of CIPD or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential criteria

Significant senior management experience in an NHS Acute Trust operating at Board level with comparable scope, responsibilities, budget and resources
Experience of leading a merger or integration, or equivalent, similar in size and significance.
Experience of successfully developing and delivering people and OD strategies.
Experience of increasing staff engagement and motivation to improve performance.

Desirable criteria

Experience working on national programmes or contributing to national policy development.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria

Knowledge and understanding of Employment Legislation, best HR practices and workforce planning
Knowledge and understanding of key NHS issues, including at a national level and has ability to establish local policy drivers
Expert knowledge in organisational design and development practises
Commercially astute and able to develop commercial strategic options

Desirable criteria

Understanding of service improvement and redesign techniques

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

· As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

· BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.