About this role
Job summary
Direct recruitment only, no agencies please
We are seeking an experienced and accomplished leader who is currently serving in a similar role within a comparable organisation.
As the Executive Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation at one of the UK's leading cancer centres, you will be a key member of the Executive Team and a voting Board member. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will be the executive lead for strategic planning, corporate transformation and system partnership working. The postholder will shape and deliver the Trust's strategy and transformation portfolio, ensuring that programme delivery improves patient outcomes and experience, tackles inequalities, strengthens productivity and sustainability and supports delivery of integrated cancer care across Cheshire and Merseyside and the wider Northwest.
Main duties of the job
A strong track record in strategy development and delivery of transformation programmes that result in improved outcomes for patients will be essential. You will need to be able to demonstrate strong people skills which inspire confidence in engaging with all levels of staff as well as system partners to ensure involvement in the development, and a commitment to the delivery, of strategies, plans and projects.
For this pivotal role, we are seeking an individual who can demonstrate a genuine ambition for the Trust and its intention to make an application to become an Advanced Foundation Trust.
You will provide strong, visible, compassionate and values-based leadership and bring a deep commitment to equalities and anti-racism. You will possess excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. An active commitment to the values and ethos of the Trust, with a focus on delivering quality services for our patients, is vital.
About us
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's leading cancer centres providing highly specialist cancer care to a population of 2.4m people across Cheshire and Merseyside, and the surrounding areas, including North Wales and the Isle of Man.
Our vision is to not only maintain this level of commitment to excellence but to work with our academic and healthcare partners across the region to ensure care, treatment and patient outcomes continuously improve in the future. We are very proud of all our expert and loyal staff and we welcome people who share the collective aim of delivering excellence in everything that we do.
Our values represent who we are and what we believe in. They define how we act to deliver the best possible care for our patients and shape The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre as a great place to work.
We are -
Kind Empowered Responsible Inclusive Vision, mission and values :: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Job description Job responsibilities
Candidates should apply for this role by completing an application form and providing a CV on Trac via NHS Jobs, as well as providing a covering letter [email protected].
Confidential conversations with our Chief Executive,Joan Spencer, are welcome. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to arrange this.
Shortlisted candidates will be offered an opportunity to visit The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre before 24th August 2026
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to postgraduate level (or equivalent senior leadership experience), with evidence of continuing professional development relevant to strategy, transformation, and executive leadership Evidence of ongoing Board-level leadership development (e.g. NHS England Board development offer, Nye Bevan Programme, Mary Seacole Programme, MBA / masters-level leadership programme, or equivalent) Desirable: formal training / qualification in programme or change leadership (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, Agile, Lean, Six Sigma, Prosci) and/or improvement science
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Current or very recent experience operating at Board / Executive Team level (e.g. Executive Director, Director, Chief Officer, or equivalent), with personal accountability for organisation-wide outcomes and delivery Extensive experience leading large-scale transformation portfolios (multiple programmes), including prioritisation, governance, delivery assurance, risk and dependency management, and benefits realisation. Demonstrable record of delivering complex service transformation with measurable improvements in quality, safety, experience, access, productivity, and/or financial sustainability Proven strategic leadership experience: developing strategy, translating it into multi-year plans and operating priorities, and sustaining delivery through disciplined performance management Strong experience of leading through influence and partnership, including system working across organisational boundaries (e.g. ICS / ICB, provider collaboratives, commissioners, local authority, and VCSE partners) Experience of shaping and delivering transformation in partnership with clinical leaders, ensuring clinical safety, evidence-based change, adoption, and sustained improvement Strong analytical and data-driven approach to executive decision-making, including use of insight, metrics, evaluation, and assurance to maintain grip and deliver outcomes at pace Significant leadership of digital and data-enabled transformation, including operating model change, product / programme delivery, and strong understanding of information governance and cyber security requirements Strong understanding of governance and assurance in a regulated environment, including Board reporting, committee assurance, audit / risk disciplines, and constructive engagement with regulators and external stakeholders Demonstrable experience of financial and workforce stewardship in support of transformation (e.g. business cases, investment decisions, productivity programmes, workforce redesign, and benefits tracking) Knowledge of the NHS and the wider health and care landscape (or another comparably complex, publicly accountable system), with the ability to translate national / regional policy into deliverable local strategy Strong commitment to tackling inequalities, with evidence of embedding equity, inclusion and co-production into strategic planning and transformation governance
Skills, abilities and personal qualities Essential
Board-level leadership presence with strong personal credibility, integrity, and judgement; able to operate effectively with Chairs, Non-Executive Directors, governors, and senior stakeholders Strategic, systems thinker who can set a clear direction and translate it into prioritised, resourced, and deliverable plans with measurable outcomes Strong portfolio and programme governance capability: maintains executive grip, makes timely decisions, manages risk and interdependencies, and drives benefits realisation Highly credible communicator with political acumen and the ability to influence at system, regional and national levels, including constructive challenge and negotiation Collaborative, inclusive leader who builds strong partnerships with clinical leaders and multi-disciplinary teams, enabling clinically safe change and sustained adoption Resilient and courageous, able to manage ambiguity, make complex trade-offs, and maintain momentum in a high-profile, high-accountability environment Strong commitment to equality, inclusion and reducing health inequalities; role-models compassionate leadership and a just culture
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHSFT
Address The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - The Spine
Paddington Village
Liverpool
L7 3FA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)