Non-Executive Director & Chair of People and OD Committee

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK seeks a Non-Executive Director to support the Board in strategic direction and performance oversight. The role includes chairing the People and Organisational Development Committee and ensuring patient safety is prioritized. Ideal candidates will have experience at a Board level, expertise in risk management, and strong leadership skills. This is an opportunity to influence local healthcare delivery and improve organizational performance.

Qualifications

• Experience of working at Board or near-Board level in a large and complex organisation.
• Track record of delivering against defined KPIs.
• Professional experience in Organisational Development.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Board in setting the strategic direction of the organisation.
• Hold the Executive Team to account for Trust's annual plan.
• Provide challenge to the Board on performance areas.

Skills

Strong leadership and negotiation skills

Analytical skills relating to performance targets

Politically aware with effective working relationships

Commitment to patient care and staff engagement

Education

Relevant Qualification

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

As members of a unitary board, Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) have a duty to act with a view to promoting the success of the organisation, maximising the benefits for its patients and the public.

The Board is collectively responsible for the performance of the NHS Foundation Trust. NEDs constructively challenge and scrutinise the Trust's performance against agreed goals and objectives. They should satisfy themselves as to the integrity of financial, clinical and other information, and ensure that systems of governance and risk management are robust.

NEDs play a crucial role within the Board as, in addition to any specific knowledge and skills that they may have, they provide an independent perspective.

Furthermore, it is the duty of a NED to uphold the highest standards of probity and integrity as per the Trust's values, as well as encouraging good relations within the Boardroom.

The post holder will be expected to chair the People and Organisational Development Committee and participate fully as a member of any other assigned Committees.

Interviews to be held W/C 23rd February 2026.

Main duties of the job

As a Non-Executive Director, your duties will be:

To assist the Board of Directors in setting the strategic direction of the organisation, whilst considering the views of the Council of Governors.

Together with the Board of Directors, hold the Executive Team to account for the delivery of the agreed strategic objectives and Trust's annual plan.

To provide constructive, considered and appropriate challenge to the Board of Directors on areas where improvements are needed or assurance is lacking.

To ensure that the Trust places patient safety at the heart of its work and that mechanisms are in place to ensure staff are able to speak up.

To ensure that the Trust manages risk effectively.

To provide advice and guidance to the Trust on issues relevant to the NED's own skills, expertise and experience.

Together with the Board of Directors, work with local communities and collaborate with partner organisations to address health inequalities and ensure that the Trust provides the best possible care for local communities.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of duties.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee, you will:

• Chair the People and Organisational Development Committee meetings, ensuring the agenda runs to time, all attendees are given the opportunity to participate, and the behaviours displayed are in line with Trust values.
• Provide assurance to the Board of Directors on the development and delivery of the People Strategy for a sustainable and empowered workforce in line with the NHS Long Term Plan and NHS People Plan.
• Work with the Corporate Governance Team and Committee's Executive Lead to plan meeting agendas, ensuring the cycle of business is followed and any arising actions are addressed.
• Escalate any areas to the Trust Board within the Committee's responsibilities that have inadequate assurance or require further mitigations - in accordance with the protocols determined by the Trust Board.

This Committee is responsible for:

• Workforce
• Organisational Development, Engagement and Culture
• Health and Safety
• Review of Risks on the Board Assurance Framework relevant to the Committee's activity

For further details on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

We look forward to your application!

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Relevant Qualification

Desirable criteria

• Membership with CIPD, CMA or similar

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working at Board or near-Board level in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience of risk management and internal compliance and control.
• Track record of delivering against defined KPIs and of holding others to account for performance.
• Professional experience in Organisational Development and engagement

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of chairing committees.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment.
• Extensive experience of providing independent challenge and scrutiny.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding of the components of a complex organisation and the processes of planning, financial control, performance management and governance, assurance and risk management.
• Knowledge and understanding of the strategic challenges facing the NHS.
• Understanding of determinants of good quality, safe and effective patient care and of the wider determinants of good mental and physical health.
• Knowledge of local systems and key stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

• Sound understanding of the NHS -national and local agendas.
• Clear understanding of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Non-Executive Directors in the NHS.

Skills

Essential criteria

• A strong commitment to patient care, staff engagement and partnership/collaborative working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills.
• Politically aware, able to engage and influence others, with effective working relationships internally and externally.
• Analytical skills relating to performance targets and strategic objectives.
• Skills in critical appraisal of research / evidence.
• A champion of an open and transparent culture focusing on continuous learning and improvement

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications is monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• NED and PODC JD & PS (PDF, 392.4KB)
• Privacy Policy (PDF, 441.0KB)
• AFC Pay Poster 25/26 (PDF, 32.3KB)
• Behaviours Framework (JPG, 298.0KB)
• Trust marketing brochure (PDF, 2.1MB)
• General Statements - AFC - V5.1 (PDF, 424.6KB)