Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health - VSM

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare authority in Chelmsford seeks an Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health to lead commissioning strategies for integrated health services. The role involves ensuring equitable health initiatives, managing stakeholder relationships, and supporting the NHS 10-year plan. Candidates should possess a master's-level education and significant experience in health service management. A hybrid working model is available.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic commissioning and health services management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and initiatives.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commissioning of neighbourhood-level health services.
• Ensure services are integrated and equitable.
• Support the NHS 10-year plan and health equity initiatives.

Skills

Commissioning skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's level education or equivalent managerial experience

Job description

Overview

Go back NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board

Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health - VSM

The closing date is 17 October 2025

Only those currently employed by the following organisations may apply:

• Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB)
• Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB)
• Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB)

The proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.

Please do not apply via this website.

We ask that you apply by sending your CV to [e-mail], along with a covering letter. Only CVs received before 12pm on 17 October 2025 will be considered.

Interview Date: 23 October 2025.

Main duties of the job

The Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health is a key member of the executive team. The postholder leads the commissioning of neighbourhood-level, place-based services and is responsible for ensuring services are integrated, equitable and aligned to the needs of communities.

As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused commissioning organisation the postholder will support the delivery of the NHS 10 year plan and three fundamental shifts:

• From Treatment to Prevention: Commissioning redesigned neighbourhood-level care to be anticipatory and proactive, with a strong emphasis on community led prevention and early intervention.
• From Hospital to Community: Commissioning integrated community services that reduce avoidable hospital use and support independent living, including through urgent community response and intermediate care.
• From Analogue to Digital: Commissioning models of care that embed digital inclusion and tools in primary and community care, enabling personalised care planning, remote support, and embedding the use of population health intelligence at neighbourhood level.

The portfolio includes strategic commissioning of primary care, community physical health, and integrated health. The post holder will also lead on aligning health services with local government partners and the VCSE sector.

About us

Mid and South Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and delivery of local health and care services, across Mid and South Essex and is part of the wider integrated care system. Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are partnerships of health and care organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined up services and to improve the health of people who live and work in their area. The headquarters for the organisation is Phoenix Court, Basildon, but there is a hybrid model of working, which includes working across Mid and South Essex and home working.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better patient outcomes. We welcome applications regardless of peoples age, disability, sex, gender, identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion or belief. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustment for people who have a disability. We would also encourage applicants to raise any personal circumstances they would like us to be aware of so that we can consider possible adjustments.

Unfortunately, the organisation does not have a Sponsorship licence.

Job responsibilities

ROLE DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY

The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.

The Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health is a key member of the executive team and a non-voting member of the Board. The postholder leads the commissioning of neighbourhood-level, place-based services and is responsible for ensuring services are integrated, equitable and aligned to the needs of communities.

As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused commissioning organisation the postholder will support the delivery of the NHS 10 year plan and three fundamental shifts:

• From Treatment to Prevention: Commissioning redesigned neighbourhood-level care to be anticipatory and proactive, with a strong emphasis on community led prevention and early intervention.
• From Hospital to Community: Commissioning integrated community services that reduce avoidable hospital use and support independent living, including through urgent community response and intermediate care.
• From Analogue to Digital: Commissioning models of care that embed digital inclusion and tools in primary and community care, enabling personalised care planning, remote support, and embedding the use of population health intelligence at neighbourhood level.

The portfolio includes strategic commissioning of primary care, community physical health, and integrated health. The post holder will also lead on aligning health services with local government partners and the VCSE sector.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Commissioning

• Lead commissioning strategies for primary care, and community physical health services.
• Lead on behalf of the ICB an integrated approach to health inequalities across all aspects of ICB activities.
• Ensure commissioned services are designed around population need, and personalised care.
• Oversee performance, access, quality and outcomes for all services within the portfolio, working with colleagues across the wider executive team as required.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Strategy to embed left-shift in strategic commissioning plans.
• Lead the design and implementation of the neighbourhood health model across Greater Essex, ensuring alignment with the ICB Blueprint and national guidance.

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Place-based models

• Lead the development of the framework and model of neighbourhood and place-based delivery which will support population level outcome improvement whilst respecting the differing maturities of neighbourhood provision and need across Essex.
• Design and commission the infrastructure and delivery vehicles required to enable effective neighbourhood health provision, informed by national and international best practice.
• Lead market development and management activities to ensure that local delivery partners (including VCSE, primary care, and community providers) are supported and capable of delivering integrated, neighbourhood-based models of care.
• Work with the Executive Director of Strategy to ensure that the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Place Based models encompass community mental health services and their role in supporting improved access and outcomes for residents.
• Work with the Executive Director of Nursing to ensure that the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Place Based models encompass relevant elements of community childrens and young people services, alongside Learning Disabilities and Autism services.
• Promote and ensure the effective use of population health data and risk stratification at neighbourhood level.
• Commission evidence-based interventions targeted at identified populations to improve population health outcomes.
• Drive co-design and participatory approaches that ensure commissioning decisions reflect community voice and experience.

Primary and Community Care

• Ensuring the commissioning of high-quality, sustainable and digitally enabled primary care, promoting the development of all aspects of primary care including community pharmacy, dentistry and optometry.
• Lead market management activities to develop the primary care sector to promote resilience within sector and population level coverage.
• Strategic leadership for system vaccination programmes, ensuring efficient delivery, high uptake, and addressing health inequalities.
• Lead the commissioning of transformed community physical health services to improve flow, access, outcomes and integration.
• Promote digital inclusion and tools to support self-management, remote care and personalised planning.
• Lead on the delivery of the Primary Care Training Hub in respect of General Practice workforce and developing an approach towards the sustainability and transition of training hub activities during the realignment and transfer of ICB responsibilities to partner agencies.

Partnerships and Local Government

• Support the Chief Executive in developing high quality relationships with Local Authorities across Essex, promoting integration of health and care at place.
• Oversee the Better Care Fund Grant arrangements and relevant section 75 agreements in collaboration with local partners.
• Support joint commissioning approaches and system solutions to address social determinants of health.

Transition and System Role

• Support the transition of relevant functions to providers or partners where appropriate.
• Support the transition of relevant commissioning functions from NHS England to the ICB where appropriate.
• Ensure continuity, equity and quality during the transformation of services.
• Represent the ICB in local forums, place-based partnerships, and regional initiatives.

Collaborative Leadership and Ways of Working

All directors are expected to work collaboratively as a unified leadership team, modelling inclusive, respectful, and compassionate leadership.

Success in this role depends on building strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCSE partners and communities.

Directors will champion collective ownership of challenges and opportunities, recognising that only through working together can we improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system.

Flexibility and Evolving Responsibilities

As the ICB continues to evolve, all Executive Director portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organisation, the health and care system, and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.

Person Specification

Experience

• Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level (managerial orientation) or equivalent managerial experience
• Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development.

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 name

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board