Chief Executive

NHS; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in the UK seeks a Chief Executive to lead NHS Employers and represent NHS organizations in people policy. The candidate will ensure effective delivery of programs commissioned by the DHSC and foster strategic partnerships. This role demands proven executive leadership, financial stewardship, and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Successful applicants will drive organizational change and enhance service delivery across the NHS. The position offers competitive compensation and is based in both Leeds and London.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience in a complex environment is essential.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in leadership.
• Knowledge of employment issues related to the NHS and wider health systems.
• Ability to engage credibly with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and goals of NHS Employers.
• Ensure effective delivery of NHS Employers contract and programs.
• Manage relationships with trade unions and stakeholders.
• Oversee financial planning and accountability.

Skills

Proven leadership

Financial stewardship

People management

Effective communication

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Job summary

The postholder will lead the people working in NHS Employers in line with the values and policies of the NHS Confederation. They will support the Group Chief Executive (and the Board) in the renewal of the organisation following the coming together of NHS Confederation and NHS Providers from 2026.

Main duties of the job

The NHS Employers Chief Executive acts as a key representative for NHS organisations in relation to people policy, liaising with colleagues across government, the NHS and trade unions. They are accountable for the effective delivery of the NHS Employers contract and work programmes commissioned by the DHSC, and for enhancing the services available to members beyond those commissioned by DHSC.

About us

NHS Employers is the employers organisation for the NHS in England and is part of the NHS Confederation. NHS Employers supports workforce leaders and represents employers to develop a sustainable workforce and be the best employers they can be. It is a key part of the NHS Confederation which formally merged with NHS Providers as of 12 January 2026. The merged organisation will have a new name, identity and strategy that will be launched at the start of April 2026. Its core purpose will be to improve the NHS and the health of the UK as the independent membership body providing an influential, trusted voice for NHS leaders and supporting its members to drive improvement.

Details

Date posted: 21 January 2026

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £150,000 to £170,000 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number: NHS1169494

Job locations: 2

The Calls

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS2 7JU

2nd Floor

18 Smith Square

London

Westminster

SW1P 3HZ

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: the development and effective implementation of strategic plans and goals, aligning operations with mission and vision to represent and support NHS organisations. Lead the senior leadership team and wider leadership team to set clear direction, high quality delivery and service improvement.
• Leading People: ensuring a fair, productive and high impact culture across NHS Employers teams in line with the values of the organisation, supporting individual development and collaboration across teams
• Improvement & Thought Leadership: Act as a thought leader influencing health and employment policy, fostering strategic partnerships and supporting members in improving the sourcing, management and development of their people, in the service of more equitable and healthier communities
• Policy Oversight : ensure the effectiveness of the NHS Employers Policy Board, supporting its chair, seeking its advice and maximising its impact on the work of NHS Employers and DHSC/NHS England.
• Strategic Communications: ensure the provision of effective strategic communications activity and advice across NHS Employers
• Manage complexity : meet the obligations to the DHSC whilst also maintaining the independent voice of NHS Employers; ensure the strong identity and brand of NHS Employers whilst also supporting the collective success of the NHS Confederation
• Social Partnership: lead effective partnership working with trade unions; undertake the role as the management side Chair for the national Social Partnership Forum (SPF) working collaboratively with the staff-side Chair and advising the Ministerial Chair and officials in the proper functioning of the SPF
• Operational Management: hold Directors to account for ensuring programs and teams function efficiently and that contracts and programmes are delivered. Delegate responsibilities while providing clear guidance and expectations and ensuring prioritisation, review and learning.
• Financial Accountability: With the support of the SLT and Director of Finance, lead effective financial planning and resource allocation processes to ensure the financial health and growth of NHS Employers. Ensure compliance with applicable policies and transparency in reporting, reporting performance to the Board of Trustees and relevant sub-committees.
• Business Development: Provide leadership in fundraising and investment efforts, cultivating relationships with stakeholders to secure contract income, generating margin to support independent policy work that benefits members
• Governance: Support the Group Chief Executive and Board of Trustees in the effective management and governance of the charity. Ensure effective liaison between the Group Executive Team and SLT, facilitating communication and ensuring that decisions and policies are effectively, consistently and fairly implemented
• Risk Management: Manage potential risks to the organization, developing strategies to mitigate them ensuring that NHS Employers (and the wider group) remain financially, reputationally and operationally sound
• Communication and Advocacy: advocate for employers in the NHS, representing their interests to government, regulators, trade unions, parliament, other stakeholders, the media, and the public.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain positive relationships with members, the DHSC, external partners, regulators, media, and other stakeholders to enhance impact of, and support for, NHS Employers and the needs of our members.
• Continuous Improvement and Evaluation: Ensure all programs and teams deliver and report against agreed quality standards, seeking out improvements in ways of working and delivery, maximising their impact and efficiency

Person Specification – Experience

• Proven leadership at executive or equivalent level in a complex environment.
• Able to define and articulate a clear direction, translating mission and vision into clearly understood deliverables
• Demonstrates values of inclusive leadership, committed to delivery with people, focused on their development and resolute in ensuring fairness, equity, diversity and inclusion
• A track record of effective financial stewardship
• Good understanding of people management and employment issues, including in the NHS, as well as key policy for the wider health and care system.
• Committed to the value and benefits of social partnership and collective bargaining with trade unions; able to evidence a principled and skilled approach to employment relations
• Ability to credibly engage with a broad range of stakeholders, skilled in balancing competing interests and building coalitions to improve outcomes
• Demonstrable experience of developing leadership capacity within others
• Effective communicator, advocate and ambassador, with the potential to be credible in high-profile settings.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name: NHS Employers

Address: The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7JU

The Calls

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS2 7JU

Note: The Calls address appears to be duplicated in the original; kept minimal here for clarity.