Real living wage employer
Disability confident employer
Investors in People Silver

Chief People Officer

Vacancy Salary £85,453 - £102,956 per annum
Vacancy Location Hybrid with regular attendance in Central London
Type of engagement: Full-Time
Hours per week: 35

This is a Permanent, 35 vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

Your role

At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone severely affected by mental illness deserves a life of dignity, hope, and opportunity. As a leading national charity, we deliver over 90 services across England and campaign for systemic change. We are now seeking a strategic and compassionate Chief People Officer (CPO) to join our Executive Team and shape the future of our workforce and organisational culture.

About the Role

As CPO, you will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of our people agenda. You will oversee functions including learning and organisational development, recruitment and shared services, employee relations, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and involvement and volunteering. Your leadership will foster a high-performance, inclusive, and values-driven culture that empowers staff and enhances engagement across all levels of the organisation.

You will:

  • Develop and implement people strategies that support organisational growth and impact.
  • Champion EDI and embed inclusive practices across all areas of the charity.
  • Lead workforce planning, recruitment, and employee engagement initiatives.
  • Oversee learning and development, performance management, and leadership development.
  • Promote wellbeing, involvement, and co-production with service users and carers.
  • Represent Rethink externally in strategic forums and support our sister charity, Mental Health UK.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Experience

  • Substantial senior leadership experience in people management, organisational development, and EDI within a care, health, or social impact setting.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement people strategies that enhance performance and employee experience.
  • Strong track record of leading EDI initiatives and fostering inclusive cultures.
  • Experience in change management, learning and development, and performance frameworks.
  • Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary teams across HR, EDI, and OD.
  • Membership of CIPD.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your fit for the role based on the person specification to: XT@rethink.org

Key dates:
• Closing date: 5pm, 4 August 2025.
• Interviews will be held in two stages: the first stage with our Executive Team
and second stage with the Chief Executive and representatives from our Board of
Trustees.
• Candidates may be asked to complete psychometric assessments as part of the
recruitment process.
• Interviews will take place weeks commencing 1 and 8 September 2025.

 

For informal enquiries, contact Amy Yeates, Head of Chief Executives’ Office & Corporate Governance: amy.yeates@rethink.org.

Our work to achieve this is guided by seven core values:

  • Commitment
  • Equity
  • Expertise
  • Hope
  • Openness
  • Passion
  • Understanding​

What do we value?

Passion

We are passionate about leading the way to a better quality of life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.

Commitment

We work tirelessly to provide support for everyone severely affected by mental illness.

Openness

We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.

Hope

We offer hope of a better quality of life for all those severely affected by mental illness.

Expertise

We constantly use our expertise to provide practical and personal support for people who are severely affected by mental illness.

Understanding

People who are severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do in our organisation – our membership, our governance and our workforce.

Equity

We believe that in a world where discrimination and disadvantage exist, treating people with equity is critical to ensure justice and fairness for all.

Openness

We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development, and a range of e-learning courses. You will also receive:  

Employer funded pension

Flexible
working

Life
assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Eyecare vouchers

up to £55 towards the cost of new glasses or lenses

Training opportunities

e-learning courses & much more

Annual
leave

25 days rising to 30, plus bank holidays

Rethink
day

1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday

PULSE

Reward, Benefits and Recognition Platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Rethink day

1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday

For the full list, see our website here.

Our colleagues say

“From the very start I was made to feel welcome and respected in my new team. In the short time I have been working with Rethink Mental Illness as a service administrator I have been able to contribute ideas and make meaningful change, and I appreciate that Rethink allows me to direct my own role development and help me build on the skills I want to work on.”

“Working for Rethink Mental Illness is the most rewarding job I could ask for. As a Peer and Volunteer Co-ordinator I get to work with a huge variety of people, with a range of skills and support them to incorporate those skills into their volunteering roles. I am always looking for gaps that need filling and creating new and exciting opportunities that will benefit our service, mental health in the community, but most importantly the people giving up their time to help.”

“I’ve previously worked in a large corporate environment, in the criminal justice sector and other charities. Without a shadow of a doubt, Rethink Mental Illness has been the best employer I’ve ever had. They care about their staff. Its great working with like-minded people and knowing that you are making a real difference to people’s lives.”

“It feels very rewarding to be part of such a meaningful Organisation where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to make a difference”.

Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we, therefore, encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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