Associate Programme Director Commissioning

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board; Arnold; On-site; GBP 94,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board in the East Midlands is seeking an experienced Associate Programme Director Commissioning to lead defined specialty delivery and system performance across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. You will align commissioning intent with provider delivery and population needs.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong delivery grip and the ability to operate in complex matrix arrangements within a connected NHS system.

Qualifications

• Strong track record in NHS commissioning or system delivery.
• Ability to operate at senior level across a complex health system.
• Experience with governance and stakeholder management.
• Analytical skills to translate data into action.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level conversations and align commissioning with provider delivery.
• Coordinate commissioning delivery and performance across the system.
• Manage ringfenced staff and multi-organisational collaboration.
• Support population health, prevention, and value for public investment.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Masters degree

Job description

Main area Commissioning, population health, prevention, outcomes, innovation Grade NHS AfC: Band 8d Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 116-8323093

Employer NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board Employer type NHS Site Home Breweries Building Town Daybrook Salary £94,356 - £108,814 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 07/10/2026 23:59

Associate Programme Director Commissioning

NHS AfC: Band 8d

JOIN A CONNECTED SYSTEM CARING FOR 3.25 MILLION LIVES ACROSS THE EAST MIDLANDS

Three ICBs, one mission: partnering across Derby & Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire.

The DLN Cluster has been established to support the wider health and social care needs of the population across Derby & Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire and will focus on reducing health inequalities, moving care closer to home, and ensuring long-term financial and service sustainability. Its core framework targets prevention, integrated neighbourhood health models, and managing high-risk multimorbidity.

As an employee within the DLN Cluster, you will work in a progressive environment that connects regional strategy with local delivery. While our primary headquarters is at Sir John Robinson House in Arnold, Nottinghamshire, our teams work flexibly across multiple locations throughout the cluster footprint. This role could be employed by any of the organisations within the DLN Cluster. We champion professional development, multi-organisational collaboration and digital enablement, giving our workforce the opportunity to help shape the future of the NHS.

Job overview

The NHS is entering one of the most significant periods of reform in its history, creating a unique opportunity for senior commissioning leaders to shape how services are planned, delivered and improved across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

We are seeking an experienced, values-led Associate Programme Director Commissioning to provide senior leadership for a defined specialty or programme area. This role will take responsibility for coordinating commissioning delivery and performance across the system, working through Delivery Level Network arrangements and across organisational and place-based boundaries.

This is a senior system leadership role for someone who can bring strategic commissioning expertise, strong delivery grip and the ability to work confidently in complex matrix arrangements. You will lead system-level conversations, influence senior stakeholders and align commissioning intent, provider delivery and population need.

This position may be paused or withdrawn at any time due to the ongoing management of change and appeals processes

Main duties of the job

You will bring a strong track record in NHS commissioning, system delivery or programme leadership, with the judgement and credibility to operate at senior level across a complex health and care system. You will be comfortable working with ambiguity, navigating competing priorities and using evidence, relationships and influence to secure progress.

As the NHS moves towards more strategic commissioning, this role will help translate ambition into practical delivery. You will support the shift from transactional commissioning towards a stronger focus on population health, prevention, outcomes, innovation and value for public investment.

You will be part of a senior commissioning leadership community that works across the DLN cluster to improve quality, access, outcomes and financial stewardship for local populations.

Working for our organisation

The DLN Cluster, comprising Derby & Derbyshire ICB, Lincolnshire ICB, and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire ICB, offers prospective employees a unique opportunity to contribute to healthcare innovation focused on reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for local communities. By joining our team, you will help develop integrated neighbourhood health models that bring care closer to home and support proactive, preventative approaches. We are committed to sustainable, high-impact clinical excellence and support innovation through dedicated transformation funding, turning ideas for improvement into frontline delivery. At the DLN Cluster, your career will be shaped by meaningful system-wide change, collaborative working, and the opportunity to help build a healthier, fairer future for diverse communities across the region.

This role may be employed by any organisation within the DLN Cluster.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for an authentic, inclusive and visible leader who can build trusted relationships, bring people together around a shared purpose and create the conditions for teams and partners to do their best work. You will combine compassion with accountability, strategic thinking with delivery, and challenge with constructive support.

Role

Key Focus

Associate Programme Director Commissioning

2 WTE roles will be confirmed following assessment of ringfenced staff

leadership across Planned Care, Urgent and Emergency Care, Mental Health, Women’s Health and major transformation programmes.

Leadership of specialist and delegated commissioning, Primary Care, Pharmacy,

If you are motivated by making a difference, thrive in complex environments and want to shape the future of commissioning, we would love to hear from you.

For more information on the role please contact, Victoria McGregor Riley - [e-mail] Gemma Whysall, [e-mail] Richard Eccles, [e-mail] or Caroline Goulding - [e-mail]

Recruitment Process

Interviews will take place face-to-face at Nottingham Trent Bridge Friday 16 th October

Person specification

• Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area;
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate on highly complex matters and difficult situations
• High level analytical skills and the ability to draw qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of sources and present in a clear concise manner;
• Leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills

All reference requests will be made to your employer/previous employers' HR Department, covering the previous 3 years of employment.

We actively promote equal opportunities and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible people regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment.

Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes. All staff with patient contact will need to have gained clearance through a standard or enhanced DBS check prior to working in these roles.

Please note interview expenses are not subsidised or reimbursed by this organisation.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Victoria McGregor-Riley Job title Director of Commissioning (Derbyshire) Email address [e-mail] Additional information

Gemma Whysall, Director of Commissioning (Nottinghamshire) [e-mail]

Richard Eccles, Director of Commissioning (Lincolnshire) [e-mail]

Caroline Goulding - Director of Strategic & Specialised Commissioning - [e-mail]