The Deputy Director of Culture, Leadership and Organisational Development (OD) is a pivotal member of the People Directorate and plays a key role in developing and supporting the delivery of the Trust's People ambition, enabling the Trust to recruit, retain and develop the best workforce to deliver its goals and objectives.
The post-holder will play a vital role in developing and implementing Organisational Development (OD) and leadership strategies, alongside cultural change initiatives. OD interventions will support and enable continuous cultural transformation, build leadership capability and support successful and sustainable large-scale complex change, internally and system-wide where appropriate.
The role holder will proactively work closely and in partnership with Chief Officers, leaders and managers across the organisation, designing and delivering fit for purpose and evidence led interventions, which will have a significant impact on individual and organisational performance and to the patient and staff experience.
The post ‑ holder will provide strategic leadership for staff engagement and experience across the organisation, acting as the responsible lead for all matters that influence employee satisfaction, belonging and retention. They will ensure that insights from staff voice, EDI, health & wellbeing, culture initiatives and leadership practice are translated into meaningful improvements that strengthen our ability to attract, retain and develop our people.
This role leads the development and delivery of the Trust’s culture change and organisational development (OD) strategy, ensuring alignment with strategic aims, values and financial constraints. Working with senior leaders, national bodies and partners, the post‑holder drives an integrated approach to leadership, service improvement, innovation and continuous quality improvement (CQI), embedding evidence‑based practice and measurable outcomes across the organisation.
The role is central to shaping a compassionate, high‑performing and patient‑centred culture. It involves designing and delivering OD programmes, supporting transformation, and enabling leaders and teams to adopt sustainable improvement practices. Close collaboration with divisions, People Directorate colleagues and improvement partners ensures cultural and behavioural change is effectively embedded.
A key responsibility is leading staff engagement, including the national staff survey, translating complex data into actionable insights and driving improvements in experience, wellbeing, retention and inclusion. The post‑holder champions initiatives that strengthen belonging and address workforce challenges in a sensitive organisational context.
The role also oversees leadership development, appraisal systems and capability building, ensuring leaders are equipped to deliver change. It includes responsibility for health and wellbeing services and EDI strategy.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) provides mental health, learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental services to people living in the South East of England. We are proud to provide care and services for children, young people, adults of working age and older at our Trust.
Thank you for showing an interest in joining us at SPFT. You will be part of a diverse, exciting directorate which spans many specialities offering you the opportunity to develop new skills, experience and understanding of the corporate services we deliver to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes and support the people we serve in our communities. Our Trust Values are integral in driving quality improvement for our patients.
We foster a supportive, warm and friendly atmosphere where staff wellbeing is paramount. We support staff development and offer opportunities to work flexibly, with 2 on-site days per week being mandatory.
Please refer to the full job description and person specification attached.
Please note that there will be an opportunity for informal calls with the Chief People Officer for shortlisted candidates on Thursday 06 August 2026
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