Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time, 12-month fixed term contract

Salary
£82,000 per annum

About the Role
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation committed to making final decisions on complaints unresolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. Operating from Manchester and Westminster, we employ over 600 people who work collaboratively to ensure public services put people first and improve where they fall short.

This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to shape how we influence change across public services. You will lead the strategy, policy, and stakeholder engagement teams, ensuring plans are clear, evidence-based, and focused on improving public services. Working closely with senior leaders, including the Executive Team and Board, you will provide advice on key issues and help set organisational direction.

You will build and maintain strong relationships with government, NHS, and other organisations to ensure our work has real influence and supports meaningful change. Leading and developing high-performing teams, you will provide clear direction and support to deliver impactful outcomes using insight from complaints to shape policy and improve services for the public.

Interviews for this role will be held in person on 4 and 6 August 2026.

Experience
- Significant experience in a senior strategy, policy, research, or stakeholder engagement role, ideally within the public or health sector
- Proven track record of developing and implementing strategy and policy to deliver organisational objectives
- In-depth understanding of strategy development, policy analysis, research methodologies, and stakeholder engagement methods
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging and building relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior government officials and public sector leaders
- Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams

About you
- Strategic thinker with the ability to provide clear advice and direction
- Skilled at building and maintaining influential relationships
- Committed to diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing in the workplace
- Resilient and adaptable, able to work collaboratively in a complex environment
- We welcome applicants with lived experience of complaining about any public body

Qualifications
- No specific qualifications are mandated, but relevant senior leadership experience and expertise in strategy, policy, or stakeholder engagement are essential