Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Director to lead our People Services and Organisational Development (POD) team at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board; the largest NHS Health Board in Wales and the largest employer in North Wales, with a turnover of 2.1bn.



You will share collective responsibility with all other Executive Directors for all aspects of the Health Board's performance. This includes strategic direction, leadership, corporate policy-making and the development and delivery of the Board's objectives.



Committed to delivering outstanding healthcare, we are on a journey of continuous improvement and innovation. As the Executive Director of POD, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our workforce of 21,000 staff and driving positive cultural change across the organisation.



We are driving our ambition to become an outstanding, patient-led Health Board where dedicated staff provide high quality care, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.



Acting as ambassador of the Health Board nationally, you will contribute to broader health and organisational agenda of NHS Wales and the Welsh Government.



Key responsibilities include;

Strategic Leadership:

Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive People Strategy aligned with the health board's goals and objectives, ensuring it serves the needs of clinical and non-clinical divisions across the organisation and works in partnership with staff and staff representatives.

Organisational Development:

Drive initiatives to enhance organisational effectiveness, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and promote employee engagement. Develop leadership capacity and capability at every level within the organisation to support enhanced performance and deliver an engaged, motivated, flexible workforce.

Talent Management:

Develop innovative recruitment strategies to attract top talent, ensuring the health board has the right people in key positions. Establish robust succession planning processes to identify and develop future leaders from within the organisation.

Employee Wellbeing:

Champion employee wellbeing initiatives, ensuring a supportive and healthy work environment for all staff.

Collaboration and Partnerships:

Collaborate with key stakeholders, including unions, staff representatives, and external partners, to build consensus and support for organisational improvements. Engage with the local community to build trust and demonstrate the health board's commitment to positive change.



Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is the largest health organisation in Wales, providing a comprehensive range of primary, community, mental health, and acute hospital services for a population of around 700,000 people across North Wales. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities through high-quality, compassionate care.



We are an integrated health system which strives to excellent compassionate care delivered in partnership with the public and other statutory and third sector organisations. We have a strong relationship with both Universities in North Wales and work in collaboration on supporting the medical school, pharmacy school, nursing and other clinical courses as well as operating in a research-rich learning culture.



North Wales is a fantastic place to live, learn and work. The coastal areas are more densely populated, gradually becoming more rural towards the west and inland. The Welsh language is an important part of our culture.



North Wales is best known for its vast areas of natural beauty, notably the Eryri National Park, home to the highest mountain in Wales, as well as spectacular lakes, perfect for those who love to get outdoors. Boasting 250 miles of coastline, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy all year round. Much of the Wales Coast Path can be cycled as well as walked, as it shares a route with the National Cycle Network.



Candidates are encouraged to refer to the attached and Person Specification for further information.



If you are ready to make a significant impact on the future of our workforce in North Wales and possess the skills and experience required for this role, we invite you to apply.



Informal conversations are also encouraged. Please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson Will McAlpine, Niamh Blair or Emma Pickup on Will.McAlpine@gatenbysanderson.com or 07554 050236.