Financial Ombudsman Service

Every year the Financial Ombudsman Service (the Ombudsman) resolves hundreds of thousands of disputes between consumers or small businesses and their financial service providers.  Over recent years, we have undertaken significant change.  With the conclusion of PPI and the economies of scale that brought, together with a changing financial landscape – we are making a step change to enhance our service by setting the standard for modern, efficient, accessible and alternative dispute resolution. Looking forward, we will continue to have a significant change agenda following the publishing of our independent review to meet our statutory remit and our strategic goals.

We are seeking a Chief People Officer (CPO) who will be joining us at a pivotal point in our transformation journey. Reporting directly into the CEO and Chief Ombudsman and as a member of the Executive team, you will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to deliver our strategic objectives and responsibilities effectively.

This is an opportunity to play a significant strategic and operational role at a time of fundamental change, where the demands and expectations of us are high.  The CPO will lead our People Strategy, including a long-term digital transformation of the People function with the use of future technologies, automation and service delivery models to bring smart people solutions to life across the Ombudsman. They will also have responsibility for resetting and delivering a new vision and strategy for our Learning and Development function, turning it into a centre of excellence for onboarding, training and developing staff and then running it in a flexible, agile and visionary way to meet the Ombudsman’s needs on an ongoing basis.

Candidates will have proven, broad, experience leading and driving the strategic and operational performance of an HR function in a consumer-facing organisation of a similar complexity and size to the Ombudsman, and proven experience defining and driving a transformation of the HR function.  You will be a strategic thinker, experienced in leading multi-faceted teams and bringing them on a journey of transformation through uncertainty and change.  You will inspire and lead by example to drive excellence across the Ombudsman; work at pace within ambiguity; and be able to influence both internal and external stakeholders.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Financial Ombudsman Service on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference QFOSF. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday 3 August 2022.