Chief Executive

HSJ Local; Leeds; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the organisation through its next phase of improvement, transformation and growth. You will combine strategic vision with disciplined delivery and be a visible, values-led leader who inspires confidence and drives high standards and compassionate care.

The role requires a proven track record of leading complex organisations, delivering meaningful improvements and building strong partnerships across system

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading large, complex organisations.
• Track record of delivering sustained improvement in health care settings.
• Strong ability to build partnerships across organisational and system boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust through improvement, transformation and growth.
• Set strategic direction, ensure disciplined delivery and high standards.
• Foster a values-led culture with accountability and compassion.
• Influence outcomes for patients and communities at scale.

Job description

This is one of the most significant leadership opportunities in the NHS.

As one of the largest and most influential teaching hospital trusts in the country, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of millions through local, regional and nationally commissioned specialist services. Our scale, clinical expertise, research partnerships and role within the Leeds and West Yorkshire health and care system place us at the forefront of healthcare delivery, innovation and transformation.

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the Trust through its next phase of improvement, transformation and growth. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a nationally important organisation, influence outcomes for patients and communities on a significant scale and leave a lasting legacy for one of the NHS’s most important teaching hospital trusts.

Our next Chief Executive will combine strategic vision with disciplined delivery. You will be an authentic, visible and values led leader, capable of inspiring confidence, driving sustained improvement and creating a culture where high standards, accountability and compassion go hand in hand.

You will bring a proven track record of leading complex organisations, delivering meaningful organisational improvement and building effective partnerships across organisational and system boundaries. Most importantly, you will share our ambition to provide outstanding care, improve health outcomes and maximise the contribution that a major teaching hospital can make to the communities it serves.

This is an opportunity to lead at scale, influence beyond organisational boundaries and help shape the future of healthcare in Leeds.

Closing date: 1 October 2026

Assessment date: 12 October 2026

For an informal discussion about the role please contact our Chair, Antony Kildare via Marie Pearson by email at [e-mail] or by telephone on 07760 405980.

We’re committed to recruiting exceptional people to deliver outstanding services across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and helping every colleague reach their full potential. We’re looking for a compassionate, inclusive, fair and collaborative leader who shares our values and can build strong partnerships. To ensure the best possible appointment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and sectors, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic, disabled, LGBTQ+ and faith and belief. We’re dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and has a true sense of belonging, as we work together to deliver the best in healthcare to the people of Leeds and beyond.