Chief Executive Officer

NHS Confederation and NHS Providers; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An influential healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Chief Executive to shape its vision and operations. You’ll be at the heart of the NHS landscape, leading efforts for improvement and advocacy. This role requires strong leadership skills, experience in navigating complex changes, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The ideal candidate will inspire confidence and work collaboratively across different sectors.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of leading through complexity and change.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Ability to inspire confidence among members, staff, and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the new organization and embed its culture and vision.
• Work with government and regulatory bodies to advance strategic goals.
• Oversee membership offers and support services to partners.

Skills

Strategic capability

Political astuteness

Leadership in complexity

Commitment to equity and diversity

Financial stewardship

Job description

About the new organisation

The new national organisation formed from the merger of NHS Confederation and NHS Providers will bring together the collective voice of the NHS and care sector across systems, providers, and partners. Its purpose is to strengthen national influence, support the leadership community, and create a single, coherent platform for advocacy, policy, and improvement across the health and care sectors in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The organisation will reflect the collective purpose and values of the NHS and its partners, giving voice to their experience and ambition. It will support members in delivering improvement, innovation, and effective leadership, while also working across sectors to show how the NHS contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of the nation and to the wider determinants of health.

The Opportunity

This is a defining moment to lead a new organisation that sits at the centre of the NHS and care landscape. As Chief Executive, you will be responsible for embedding the organisation’s vision, culture, and operating model, and for delivering value to members through transformation, improvement, and influence.

You will work with governments, regulators, national and local systems, and a wide range of partners to advance the three strategic pillars agreed by the Boards of Trustees of the legacy organisations:

• Representation: providing a strong, system-wide voice for the NHS and its members
• Improvement and added value: helping members learn, innovate, and deliver improvement
• Cross sector relationships: working beyond the NHS to maximise its wider contribution to society

You will also oversee the full breadth of the organisation’s activities, including its membership offer, NHS Employers, hosted networks, and commercial services that support members and partners.

The Chief Executive

We are seeking an inclusive, values driven, and politically astute leader with the strategic capability to operate confidently at national level. You will demonstrate credibility and authenticity with members who lead front line services while engaging effectively across government, devolved administrations, regulators, and partners.

You will bring extensive experience of leading through complexity and change, with the skill to combine national influence and practical support for members. You will show a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and an ability to integrate two organisations into a single, coherent entity with shared values and direction. You will inspire confidence and connection across teams and create a culture that is inclusive, forward looking, and united in purpose.

Although experience within healthcare would be valuable, we are equally interested in candidates from other sectors who can bring relevant insight and a strong grasp of public value, governance, and system leadership.

The successful candidate will have sound financial stewardship, strategic vision, and the ability to inspire confidence among members, staff, and external stakeholders. You will be a visible ambassador for the organisation and a trusted voice for the NHS and its partners across the UK.

Next Steps

We would be delighted to discuss this important role with prospective candidates who share our purpose and values.

For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advisors, Frank McKenna ([e-mail]), Global Managing Director and Tom Patterson ([e-mail]), UK Managing Director at Alumni Global, who are supporting this important appointment.