Chief People Officer

The Open University is one of the UK’s most distinctive and socially important institutions. Founded to be open to people, places, methods and ideas, the OU has transformed lives through learning for more than 50 years and remains a global leader in flexible, supported open and distance education.

At a moment of strategic renewal, the University is seeking to appoint its next Chief People Officer. This is a senior executive appointment and a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive (VCE), reporting to the University Secretary. The role will provide strategic leadership for the OU’s people, culture and organisational capability, ensuring the University has the workforce, leadership, systems, culture and ways of working needed for its next phase.

People Services has already supported the University through significant organisational change, savings delivery and important work on data, culture, wellbeing and systems. The next Chief People Officer will build from this platform, shaping an integrated People Plan and leading work across workforce planning, organisational design, leadership capability, culture, employee and industrial relations and People Services transformation, while contributing fully as a member of VCE.

About You

We are looking for an experienced people leader with the credibility to operate at executive level in a large, complex and values-led organisation. You will bring a strong record of leading people, culture, workforce or organisational capability strategy at scale, with evidence of delivering change, influencing across complex stakeholder environments and providing confident advice and constructive challenge at executive level.

We are interested in candidates from a wide range of sectors who have operated at scale in complex, highly accountable environments. This may include higher education but could equally include other organisations facing significant market change, financial pressure, workforce transformation, regulatory scrutiny or shifting customer, service user or stakeholder expectations. What matters most is strategic judgement, values-led leadership and a strong record of shaping people, culture and organisational capability in ways that deliver lasting institutional impact.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the people and culture agenda of an institution that matters profoundly to students, colleagues, partners and communities across the UK and beyond.

Please do not apply via the 'Apply now' buttons on this page. Applications must be submitted via our recruitment partners at Anderson Quigley.

The closing date for applications is noon, Monday 3 August 2026

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement.

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.

Looking for Associate Lecturer (AL) roles?

Please use our AL home page to find AL vacancies.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.