Candidate Pack for the
Executive Director of People,
Culture and Governance

Welcome

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. RCS England has been a
cornerstone of professional excellence for over two centuries, representing tens of thousands of surgeons, dental professionals, trainees and students across the UK and
internationally.

This is an exceptional moment to be joining us. With a strong executive team in place and a new strategy being developed for launch in 2026, we are shaping a modern,
progressive College - one that honours its proud heritage while building for the future.

As one of four Executive Directors, this role will sit at the heart of that transformation. It brings together our people, culture, governance, and heritage functions to create a
more unified, connected organisation, one in which every colleague, volunteer, member and visitor feels a genuine sense of belonging and purpose.

You will already be an established executive leader with a proven track record of shaping high-performing cultures, leading complex change and delivering through others.
You will bring confidence in navigating governance and organisational design at scale, with the emotional intelligence and authenticity to inspire trust across a diverse
community. Ideally you could come from a people and culture and governance background and we are open to people from a diverse range of professional backgrounds.
Above all, you will share our belief that people and culture are central to achieving excellence, and you will have the strategic vision to translate that belief into tangible
impact.

The College’s culture is in a strong place, but we know that excellence requires continual attention. This role will be central to that journey, enabling us to build capability,
deepen engagement, and model inclusive leadership in everything we do. It is also a rare opportunity to influence the way a historic institution connects with people today,
from our staff and volunteers to the surgeons and dental professionals we serve.

If you are excited by the opportunity to work at the intersection of heritage and innovation to help define what a truly modern professional body can be then we would be
delighted to hear from you.

Best wishes,

Jackie Weller
Chief Executive

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of SurgeonsAbout us

The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) is a world-leading
professional membership body and registered charity founded to advance the art
and science of surgery. Our purpose today remains firmly focused on improving
patient care and supporting the surgical profession at every stage of its journey.

We represent a diverse community of more than 30,000 members in the UK and
around the world, including surgeons, dental professionals, trainees, students and
the wider surgical care team. Our staff of over 300 colleagues, working alongside
more than 1,100 volunteers, deliver a wide portfolio of education, training,
assessment and support.

Education and training remain central to our role. Each year, we deliver hundreds
of courses to thousands of participants, supported by an extensive faculty of expert
practitioners. Our examinations define the standards of surgical training in the UK,
while our continuing professional development programmes and fellowships equip
surgeons and surgical leaders to thrive throughout their careers.

Alongside training, our charitable purpose extends into research and advocacy. In
2022/23, we raised nearly £5 million for surgical research and learning initiatives,
awarding fellowships that promote innovation in areas such as robotics, clinical
diversity and global health. We also play a significant role in influencing healthcare
policy. Our leadership engages directly with government, the NHS and regulators
to shape the national agenda, and our authoritative voice is regularly cited in the
media, helping to inform public understanding of surgical issues.

To learn more about our organisation, please use the links below.
•  Annual Report
•  Current Strategy
•  Our Commitment to Diversity
•  Our Commitment to Sustainability

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance
The Royal College of Surgeons

Our Vision
We want to see excellent surgical care for everyone.

Our Mission
We will achieve our vision by enabling our members, in all their diversity, to deliver
excellence in everything they do.
Our Values
Collaboration - We embrace our collective responsibilities working collaboratively
and as one college.
•  We work together, using our collective expertise and experience to effect

positive change

•  We are open, honest and transparent, straightforward in our language and

actions, acting with sincerity and delivering on our commitments
•  We take our responsibilities to each other, to patient care and to the

environment seriously and we act with this in mind across our work

Respect - We value every person we come into contact with at the College as an
individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand
and meet their physical and wellbeing needs.
•  We treat everyone we meet with kindness and integrity and we seek to promote

these behaviours in others

•  We actively seek a range of views and experiences across our work, and we

listen to, and make everyone feel, a valued part of the team

Excellence - We aspire to excellence and success. We share learning from our
experiences, apply feedback into practice, and commit to continual improvement.
•  We work hard to be the best at what we do, recognising and celebrating effort
and achievement, and reflecting on our work, so we can learn and improve
•  We value and invest in research, education and training to drive excellence and
put improvements in surgical practice, dentistry and patient care at the heart of
our work

•  We always seek to learn and discover more, valuing knowledge and scientific

evidence, basing our decisions on insights, fact and experience

4

Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of SurgeonsDiversity and Inclusion
At RCS England, we believe we are only as good as the people we hire. We
know that the people we hire come from all walks of life and with that comes
different perspectives. Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging are at the heart of
everything we do.

Our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment is evident through the
active engagement of our employees in the Staff Council, where their voices play
a crucial role in shaping work life for everyone within the College. Additionally,
our staff networks cultivate a strong sense of belonging, while social clubs create
a vibrant community spirit. We actively encourage our team members to openly
share their professional and personal experiences, contributing to the evolution
of our mindset and organisational culture.

We firmly believe that embracing diversity goes beyond a moral obligation; it
serves as a catalyst for both individual and collective growth. Our unwavering
dedication ensures that our profession and the College lead the way in
advancing patient care for future generations. However, we recognise that
achieving this goal demands a collective effort. That is why we are on the lookout
for individuals like you. Your unique talents and diverse experiences, acquired
through both life and work, are invaluable contributions that will enhance and
complement our existing team. Join us on this journey towards a more inclusive
and pioneering future in healthcare.

5

Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance
The Royal College of Surgeons

Organization chart

CEO:
Jackie Weller

Executive Director of People,
Culture and Governance:
Vacant

Executive Director of
Finance:
Sean Fox

Executive Director of
Professional Development
Services:
Stephen Hills

Executive Director of
External Affairs and
Engagement:
Lucy Davies

Areas of responsibility
Areas

§ HR
§ Governance and Compliance
§ Faculty of Dental Surgery
§ Visitor Management
§ Museums
§
Library and Archives
§ Diversity and Inclusion
§ Volunteer Management

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of SurgeonsJob description

Job title:

Executive Director, People, Culture and Governance

Reports to:

Chief Executive

Responsible for:

People and Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Volunteer Management, Governance; Faculty of Dental Surgery, Museums, Library and
Archives, Visitor Management

Role purpose:
As one of four Executive Directors forming the College’s collective corporate leadership alongside the Chief Executive, this role holder works in close partnership with the
President, Officers, Trustees and Council to deliver exceptional experiences across every aspect of the organisation.

This strategically reimagined position unifies People, Culture and Governance functions spanning HR, DEI, volunteer management, governance, FDS, museums, library
and archives, and visitor management under cohesive leadership.

It is an investment in breaking down traditional silos and creating an integrated approach where every interaction matters, whether with employees, volunteers, visitors, or
stakeholders.

The postholder will drive the College’s inclusive agenda through strategic vision and operational excellence, ensuring that anyone engaging with the organisation as a team
member, collaborator, or member of the public encounters a culture that genuinely values their contribution and prioritises their experience.

Accountable for the effective leadership of all directorate staff, the Executive Director will deliver ambitious annual objectives that transform every touchpoint from
recruitment and onboarding to public engagement and governance, embedding a unified people centred culture throughout the College.

Main responsibilities:
Corporate Leadership and Executive Accountabilities
•

Lead college wide strategic projects and foster a unified “One College” culture focused on delivery and growth, inspiring staff to achieve the College’s vision while
building trust with Council and Board Members.

•  Provide strategic leadership to create efficient, value for money services and embed a strong performance culture through effective target setting and robust

management systems.

•  Challenge and support fellow Executive Directors and leaders to develop high performing teams, driving accountability and excellence across the organisation.

7

Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance
The Royal College of Surgeons

•  Engage as an active member of the Executive Director Team, contributing to collective leadership, strategic decision making, and across college governance.
•  Contribute to College wide business planning, budget oversight, and cost improvement initiatives.
•  Share accountability for identifying, mitigating, and monitoring organisational risks, ensuring adherence to governance standards and regulatory requirements.

Directorate Leadership and Strategic Responsibilities
•  Provide strategic direction and leadership for HR, DEI, Volunteer Management, Governance, FDS, Museums, Library and Archives, and Visitor Management, ensuring

•

these functions are aligned to deliver organisational impact, foster an inclusive culture, and enhance stakeholder experience across all touchpoints.
Lead the preparation and management of directorate budgets, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to maximise people development, cultural transformation, and
public engagement while supporting long term sustainability.

•  Drive directorate business planning and implement improvement plans that deliver measurable outcomes in employee engagement, volunteer retention, visitor

•

satisfaction, and governance effectiveness.
Identify, assess, and manage directorate specific risks, implementing mitigation strategies and monitoring controls to ensure compliance with employment law,
safeguarding requirements, data protection, governance standards, and regulatory obligations.

Lead the development of a comprehensive people strategy aligned with organisational priorities.

People and HR Leadership
•
•  Provide strategic leadership for all HR functions.
•
•  Ensure HR services deliver high quality, responsive support that enables managers to lead effectively and staff to perform at their best.
•  Oversee compliance with employment law and best practice HR standards, maintaining policies and procedures that protect both staff and the organisation.

Lead organisational development initiatives that build capability, enhance productivity, and support cultural transformation across all directorates.

Culture & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
•  Drive the College’s inclusive agenda by developing and implementing comprehensive DEI strategies.
•

Lead organisational culture change initiatives that break down silos, enhance cross functional collaboration, and build a connected, high performing workplace that
reflects the College’s values

•  Develop and monitor DEI metrics to ensure progress and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Volunteer Management and Engagement
•  Drive a strategic direction for volunteer engagement by developing and implementing a comprehensive volunteer strategy that aligns with College priorities.
•  Oversee end to end volunteer lifecycle management including attracting high calibre professional volunteers.
•

Lead the establishment of governance structures and support systems for volunteer committees and working groups, while monitoring volunteer satisfaction and
impact to coordinate good practice and continuously enhance volunteer experiences across all College activities.

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of SurgeonsGovernance Leadership
•  Provide strategic leadership for governance functions, ensuring the College maintains the highest standards of corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
•  Ensure the Trustee Board, Council, and committees are provided with high quality governance services including meeting administration, decision making processes,

and records management.

•  Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, company law, and governance best practice standards.
•

Lead governance reviews and improvements, ensuring structures and processes remain fit for purpose.

FDS
•  Represent FDS on strategic planning, ensure corporate governance compliance, represent the Faculty at external meetings, and manage organisational performance

and risk.

•  Manage the Faculty budget, oversee service agreements and funded partnerships.
•  Ensure dental representation is embedded in membership growth initiatives, communications and marketing strategies, publications and awards processes, and

Patient and Lay Group engagement.

Museums, Library and Archives
•  Oversee strategic direction for the College’s heritage assets, ensuring the Museum, Library, and Archives contribute to the College’s mission and public benefit.
•  Support and enable Directors to ensure collections are preserved to professional standards, regulatory compliance is maintained.
•  Support and enable Directors to ensure the development and implementation of strategies for collection development, digitisation, public engagement, and innovative

approaches to showcasing surgical history.

•  Support and enable Directors in securing external funding and partnerships to support collection care, development, and public programmes.
•  Develop and monitor metrics to measure the impact and value of heritage services.

Visitor and Experience Management
•

Lead the transformation of visitor experiences across the College, developing and implementing strategies that optimise space utilisation, enhance accessibility, and
ensure every interaction reflects the college’s values and commitment to excellence.

•  Oversee front of house operations to deliver professional, welcoming, and efficient service for all visitors; ensure health and safety compliance and risk management;

and drive continuous improvement.
Integrate visitor management with broader customer service goals to create seamless experiences across all touchpoints, and develop commercial opportunities.

•

The post holder will be expected travel throughout the UK and possibly overseas and make overnight stays. There will also be a requirement to attend some meetings and
events out of normal office hours.

This job description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined. It
is not intended to be rigid or inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works.

9

Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance
The Royal College of Surgeons

Person specification

Knowledge and experience
•  Substantial senior management experience with evidence of making high-level

strategic decisions affecting organisational operations beyond immediate areas of
expertise, role modelling and empowering inclusive leadership.

•  Proven experience working as a strategic People and Culture leader at executive
level, covering talent management, organisational development, employment law,
and HR systems with data-driven decision-making.

•  Demonstrated capability leading multi-functional directorates, promoting and

embedding a strong performance culture and building strong relationships with
senior stakeholders across complex organisational structures both internally and
externally.

•  Significant experience of successfully leading strategic change, with strong change
management understanding, and experience of working with specialist colleagues
to assess change impacts and ensure effective and sustainable implementation.
Experience of supporting large-scale technology transformation within an
organisation is an advantage.

•  Strong charity governance expertise with experience supporting Boards of

Trustees conducting governance reviews.

•  Proven ability to develop and implement DEI strategies that deliver measurable
cultural change and regulatory compliance. Evidence of leading organisational
culture change initiatives that break down silos, enhance cross-functional
collaboration, and build a connected, high-performing, values led workplace.
•  Comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding, GDPR, health and safety legislation,

and policy implementation.

•  Educated to degree level or equivalent.
•  Professional qualification in HR/governance, or related field, or equivalent senior

leadership experience in complex functions.

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of Surgeons

Skills and Abilities
•  Ability to deliver strategic leadership on achieving first-class services within a

value-for-money framework

•  Ability to work collaboratively with fellow Executive Directors, ensuring business
and stakeholder needs are consistently integrated and acting as a trusted
advisor to colleagues in relation to People, Culture and Governance issues.
•  Proven ability to develop and motivate teams, with high emotional intelligence

and the ability to inspire people behind a values driven vision.

•  A compelling communicator, fluent, clear and concise in both oral and written
communication, including perceptiveness and presentation skills in formal,
informal and public settings.

•  Proven ability to influence, convince and negotiate with others in a way that

results in acceptance and agreement.

•  Highly numerate, with the analytical skills to use data and insight to inform
planning and decision making, improve processes and assess impact.

The post holder will also need to demonstrate the
following values

Collaboration
We embrace our collective responsibilities working collaboratively and as one
college.
•  We work together, using our collective expertise and experience to effect

positive change

•  We are open, honest and transparent, straightforward in our language and

actions, acting with sincerity and delivering on our commitments
•  We take our responsibilities to each other, to patient care and to the
environment seriously and we act with this in mind across our work

11

Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance
The Royal College of Surgeons

Respect
We value every person we come into contact with at the College as an
individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to
understand and meet their physical and wellbeing needs.
•  We treat everyone we meet with kindness and integrity and we seek to

promote these behaviours in others

•  We actively seek a range of views and experiences across our work, and we

listen to, and make everyone feel, a valued part of the team

Excellence
We aspire to excellence and success. We share learning from our
experiences, apply feedback into practice, and commit to continual
improvement.
•  We work hard to be the best at what we do, recognising and celebrating
effort and achievement, and reflecting on our work, so we can learn and
improve

•  We value and invest in research, education and training to drive excellence
and put improvements in surgical practice, dentistry and patient care at the
heart of our work

•  We always seek to learn and discover more, valuing knowledge and

scientific evidence, basing our decisions on insights, fact and experience

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an Equal Opportunities
Employer. We are open to all talent and we actively ensure that all qualified
applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regards
to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership,
pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of SurgeonsTerms of appointment

Salary
The salary for this role is c£120,000 per annum on a full-time permanent basis.

Location
Hybrid: 2-3 days in London.

Our excellent benefits package includes:
•

27 days paid holiday + bank holidays and up to 4 college closure days
over the festive period & other leave entitlements (carers leave, fertility
treatment leave, etc.)
•  Hybrid and flexible working
•  Enhanced contributory pension scheme
•  Equal access to enhanced parenthood leave
•  A range of staff and peer networks
•  Employee health and wellbeing committed (Healthcare cash plan,

menopause friendly, disability confident employer, mental health first
aiders, EAP etc.)

•  Retail discount platform
•  Sabbatical and volunteering opportunities
•  Variety of learning and development opportunities

Further information around our benefits can be found here.

13

Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance
The Royal College of Surgeons

How to apply

We hope you will consider making an application. To make an application, please go
to https://starfishsearch.com/jobs/rcs-exe-dir-people-culture-governance/ and
click on the apply now button, with the following prepared:
•  Your CV (no more than three sides).
•  A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this
role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience
criteria.

We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity
monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring
purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.

Closing date:

9.30 Monday 1st December

Preliminary interviews:

early w/c 15th December

Final Panel interviews:

w/c Monday 12th January 2026

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Candidate Pack for the Executive Director of People, Culture and Governance The Royal College of Surgeons