Job Description

Thank you for your interest in joining Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. As Chief

Executive, I am proud of the incredible commitment and compassion shown by our teams across Kent and Medway. This is an exciting time for us, as we continue to evolve our culture to meet the opportunities presented by the NHS 10-year plan and continue our journey in becoming a leading mental health trust in the country.



The Chief People Officer will play a vital role in shaping the future of our organisation leading our people strategy, championing inclusion, and

ensuring every colleague feels they belong.



We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to the best possible care for our communities. Your leadership will help us make that ambition real.



Sheila Stenson,

Chief Executive



This is a pivotal time to join Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust. We are growing and changing, taking on children's and young people's services, embedding our new identity and values, and strengthening our culture of care and inclusion. The Chief People Officer will lead our workforce transformation at a time when the NHS is evolving. You'll shape the future of how we attract, develop, and support our people, ensuring every colleague feels valued and every leader is empowered to make a difference.



As Chief People Officer, you will lead the delivery of our People Strategy and play a key role in delivering our vision. You will be responsible for developing our workforce, building an inclusive culture, and embedding compassionate leadership across the organisation. Key responsibilities include:



Leading our workforce strategy and planning for the future. Championing equality, diversity and inclusion at every level. Strengthening leadership capability and talent pipelines. Enhancing staff wellbeing, engagement and belonging. Driving improvement through data, insight and partnership. Ensuring compliance with employment law, NHS policy, and CQC workforce standards. Supporting system-wide collaboration through the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System

Please refer to the full recruitment pack and job description attached.



We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.

Our vision is simple:

We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.



Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.



Please find attached the full recruitment pack and job description.

If you wish to be considered for this role, please provide:

A CV that includes your address and contact details, highlighting and explaining any gaps in your employment history



A supporting statement that highlights your motivation for applying and your understanding of the NHS and the role. You

should outline your personal responsibility and achievement within previous roles and how your experience matches the

person specification



The names, positions, organisations and contact details for three referees. Your referees should be individuals in a line

management capacity, and cover your most recent employer, any regulated health or social care activity or where roles

involved children or vulnerable adults. Your references may be taken prior to the interview and may be shared with the selection

panel



Please email this information, along with your application to kmmh.recruitmentteam@nhs.net



Online applications will not be accepted; all applicants must follow the guidelines above.



Interviews



Virtual Focus Group 12 February 2026



Executive Management Team

People Leadership Team



In-person interview 13 February 2026 held at Farm Villa, Maidstone,