Chief Executive Officer

NHS; Chester; On-site; GBP 84,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare organisation in Chester seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead and manage strategic and operational processes. The role requires significant leadership experience, a strong understanding of palliative care, and the ability to inspire teams towards achieving high-quality care for patients. The ideal candidate will uphold the organisation's values and enhance community relationships.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of successful leadership at Board level.
• Knowledge of the hospice sector in the UK.
• Inspirational leader with experience of managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership at various levels.
• Support the Senior Management Team and foster collaboration.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality palliative care.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Team management

Financial management

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Hospice of the Good Shepherd to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

If you would like to apply, please send the following:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A completed data capture form (which Harris Hill can share with you)
• A Supporting Statement (no more than 2 x A4 pages) outlining why you are interested in becoming Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of the Good Shepherd, demonstrating relevant experience for the role.

Please submit your completed application to: [e-mail] by 9am, Monday 5th January 2026.

Dates for your diary:

• Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 5th January 2026
• First interviews: w/c 19th January 2026
• Second interviews: w/c 26th January 2026

Please could you also let us know if you will require any special provision should you be called forward for interview. Please state in your application if you have any commitments during the interview period that may coincide with these dates.

Main duties of the job

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Bring inspirational leadership and drive to the Hospice.
• Give direction, maintain financial stability and develop the operational management of the Hospice.
• Have a passion for end‑of‑life care, with the energy and talent to motivate our highly committed teams as we forge a path to a future where we tailor our services ever more closely to the needs and wants of our local communities.

About us

Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides care and support free of charge to the people of Chester, West Cheshire and Deeside who are affected by life‑limiting illnesses, and we ensure everyone we support has the best possible quality of life. We help our patients to live as well as possible and to make every moment count.

Job details

• Date posted: 25 November 2025
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £84,500 to £89,000 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time
• Reference number: HOS1156991
• Job locations: Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Gordon Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 4DG

Job description

Purpose

The Chief Executive will provide strategic and operational leadership at local, regional and national levels to ensure that the Hospice of the Good Shepherd achieves its objectives within the governance and strategic framework set by the Board of Trustees. The post holder will ensure that people facing a life‑limiting illness receive high‑quality care and that everyone we support has the best possible quality of life. The Chief Executive will uphold the Hospice’s values of Dignity and Respect, Care and Compassion, Trust and Honesty, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Excellent Communication and maintain the Hospice’s vital reputation within the community.

Key Stakeholders / Relationships

Internal relationships

• Board of Trustees, Senior Management Team, all staff and volunteers.

External relationships

• Local Hospice networks
• Local NHS Trusts, ICB and Community Service Providers
• Commissioning bodies
• Local community, donors and supporters
• National bodies including Hospice UK

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strong, visible leadership to staff and volunteers, building a motivated and high‑performing workforce committed to teamwork and professional development.
• Lead, support and direct the Senior Management Team, nurturing a culture of collaboration and excellence to ensure services are delivered in line with the Hospice’s strategy, core values, and governance standards.
• Drive the development of good people management practices, including recruitment, induction, performance management, personal and professional development, and staff engagement, ensuring an effective and resilient workforce.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, care and wellbeing, that promotes open communication, collaboration, responsiveness and shared accountability.
• Lead and manage change to maintain a learning organisation and continuously improve the staff experience.
• Work with the Board of Trustees to formulate and implement a 35‑year strategic plan and annual business plan.
• Ensure plans are translated into clear, meaningful objectives with measurable outcomes and that performance is monitored with key performance indicators.
• Provide the Board with informed professional advice and recommendations to support effective strategic decisions.
• Track changes in the healthcare and regulatory landscape and advise on strategies to safeguard the Hospice’s long‑term relevance and sustainability.
• Future‑prove the organisation by identifying opportunities for service development and new income streams.
• Ensure the highest standards of specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care for patients and families.
• Regularly review services to meet changing community needs and contractual requirements.
• Take action to address underperformance and safeguard service quality.
• Ensure central support functions (Finance, People, Estates, Facilities, IT) are effectively managed and compliant with legislation.
• Represent and promote the Hospice at local, regional and national forums; build and sustain effective relationships with donors, commissioners, partners and statutory bodies.
• Act as ambassador for the Hospice to strengthen its standing, reputation and visibility.
• Engage actively with the community to promote fundraising and volunteering.
• Ensure full implementation of information governance principles.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post as directed by the Trustees.
• Maintain own personal and professional development, keeping up to date with best practice within the sector.

This job description may vary from time to time according to the needs of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and will be reviewed with the post holder.

Personal Development

The post holder will be expected to maintain high professional standards and will be supported with relevant education and development opportunities agreed with the Chair of Trustees.

Health, Safety & Security

• Comply with the Hospice’s Health & Safety Policy and take personal responsibility for workplace safety.
• Ensure the Hospice operates in a secure environment and reports breaches of security.
• As CEO, hold overall responsibility as Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO), working with the Caldicott Guardian to manage risk and information governance.

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

• Strictly adhere to all confidentiality policies and legal requirements, ensuring that sensitive information is handled, stored and always shared appropriately and responsibly.
• Take personal responsibility for safeguarding adults and children in line with Hospice policies and statutory guidance, maintaining the highest standards of vigilance and care.
• Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff, and leaders are expected to champion a culture of safety, openness and accountability across the organisation.

Equal Opportunities

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd is fully committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We value the unique contributions of all individuals and actively promote an environment that is fair, supportive and free from discrimination. All staff are expected to uphold these principles in their daily work and interactions, with leaders at every level responsible for championing inclusive practices and ensuring that these values are embedded across the organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Essential

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent.

Qualifications – Desirable

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent.

Experience – Essential

• Significant experience of successful leadership at Board level in a multidisciplinary organisation.
• Knowledge of the hospice sector in the UK.
• Inspirational leader with demonstrable experience of leading and developing a Senior Management Team.
• Leadership Team with the ability to inspire, motivate and empower others.
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen, with extensive experience developing and implementing business plans, managing large‑scale budgets, achieving efficiencies and broadening income streams through effective fundraising and partnership development.
• Deep understanding of the charity sector with the ability to align financial strategy with organisational mission and impact.
• Proven ability to demonstrate and embed values, vision, and ethos, and to foster a positive, inclusive culture.
• Ability to identify, measure and manage organisational risk, taking appropriate action to ensure delivery of strategic aims and objectives.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance and Board dynamics, with experience developing robust, effective relationships with Trustees and ensuring best practice standards.
• Extensive experience of representing and collaborating with key stakeholders, including regulators, partners and the wider public.
• Extensive experience of leading staff and volunteers through times of change.

Experience – Desirable

• Experience in the care sector ideally with an NHS interface.
• Experience of developing innovative service models and approaches to extend reach and impact.

Personal skills and abilities – Essential

• Strong ambassadorial skills, with the ability to act as an advocate and sector leader externally.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Integrity, versatility, flexibility and sensitivity to ethical issues, alongside a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to understand and analyse complex issues applying innovative and practical solutions.
• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to assess the implications and impact of decision making.
• Ability to create an environment where individuals and services work together in a spirit of partnership.

Personal skills and abilities – Desirable

• Ability to influence policy, strategy or service delivery at regional or national level.

Other requirements – Essential

• Willingness to work outside of usual working hours when required.
• Ability to travel to local and national events and all Hospice premises.

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

Hospital of the Good Shepherd

Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Gordon Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 4DG

Website: https://hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/