Associate Director NHS Scotland Cancer Collaborative

NHS Scotland; Kilmarnock; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland) invites applications for the Director of Scottish Cancer Network, a senior leadership role shaping national cancer services and governance. You will lead a programme team, collaborate with clinicians, services and patients, and deliver the Target Operating Model for Oncology in Scotland.

You will engage with government and clinical colleagues at senior levels, drive change in health and care, and foster strong governance, partnership working and

Qualifications

• The successful candidate will be a confident leader, with extensive experience in engaging stakeholders, designing and delivering complex programmes of work at pace.
• They will be skilled in enabling teams to meet challenging targets and develop high standards of governance and performance.
• They will have a track record of leading and delivering change in a health and care context.
• As a skilled negotiator and strategist, they will have demonstrated the ability to forge strong working relationships at a senior level with government, Executive and clinical colleagues.
• Their approach will actively demonstrate collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead a programme team within the Clinical Directorate of National Services Scotland, working alongside a Clinical Director, taking forward high‑profile programmes of work commissioned by Scottish Government to contribute to Scotland’s ambitious cancer strategy.
• Lead for cancer services, building a collaborative approach with clinicians, services and patients, and implementing a Target Operating Model for Oncology in Scotland, while progressing work with stakeholders on Clinical Management Pathways and Managed Clinical Networks.

Job description

On 1 April 2026, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) became one national organisation, focused on continuity today and a stronger, more connected service for tomorrow.

As part of this transformation, NSS and NES have joined to form a new organisation: Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland). This new organisation will play a pivotal role in supporting the renewal and ensuring the long‑term sustainability of health and care services across Scotland.

About The Organisation

PSD Scotland unites expertise from NES and NSS in a way that will allow us to accelerate national programmes to support the NHS to deliver better care, now and in the future.

We support staff with education and training, provide the tools and data that improve services, and run vital national functions such as procurement, logistics and blood, tissue and cell services.

National Services Scotland is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. We support customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively; shared services on a national scale; and development and delivery of innovation and new policy requirements, using best‑in‑class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions, services and systems.

The Post

The Director of Scottish Cancer Network provides whole‑system leadership, oversight and development support for cancer services.

We are entering an exciting phase of development, building a collaborative approach with clinicians, services and patients, introducing a Target Operating Model for Oncology in Scotland, whilst continuing to progress important work with stakeholders on Clinical Management Pathways and Managed Clinical Networks.

The Director leads a programme team within the Clinical Directorate of National Services Scotland, working alongside a Clinical Director, taking forward high‑profile programmes of work commissioned by Scottish Government to contribute to Scotland’s ambitious cancer strategy.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be a confident leader, with extensive experience in engaging stakeholders, designing and delivering complex programmes of work at pace. They will be skilled in enabling teams to meet challenging targets and develop high standards of governance and performance. They will have a track record of leading and delivering change in a health and care context.

As a skilled negotiator and strategist, they will have demonstrated the ability to forge strong working relationships at a senior level with government, Executive and clinical colleagues, set direction and motivate their team to deliver outcomes. Their approach will actively demonstration collaboration.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a PVG Scheme check. Any candidate who have lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.

Location and Working Pattern:

Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Delta House, Glasgow.

Currently hybrid working

Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK and have entitlement to work in the UK for the post in which you will be employed.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion

Public Services Delivery Scotland is a national organisation and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. PSD Scotland has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such aim to guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of PSD Scotland to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on [e-mail]

Further Information

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Ruth Campbell, Director of Operations & Development at [e-mail]

Closing date for completed applications is 15th September 2026.

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e‑mail only, so please check your e‑mail regularly (including junk folders).

We are an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies however, where exceptionally high application volumes make this impracticable, a fair and proportionate shortlisting approach will be applied in line with Disability Confident guidance.