About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an ambitious, values-led Deputy Director of Primary Care who is passionate about improving outcomes, reducing health inequalities and developing accessible, sustainable and high-quality primary care services.
Primary care will be central to delivering the NHS's three strategic shifts: from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention and from analogue to digital. Across our footprint, we commission services from approximately 319 general practices, alongside an extensive network of community pharmacies, dental and optometry providers.
You will support the transition from transactional commissioning towards a strategic approach focused on population health, prevention, outcomes, innovation, reducing inequalities and securing value from public investment. This will include providing senior oversight of commissioning, contracting, quality assurance, performance and financial stewardship across the primary care portfolio.
This is an opportunity to influence change across a large and complex health and care system. We are looking for a leader who understands the opportunities and challenges facing primary care and can build trusted relationships with patients, practices, professional representatives, provider collaboratives and system partners.
Main duties of the job
Lead the strategic commissioning and development of primary care services across the DLN footprint. Oversee contracts and commissioning arrangements for GP practices, dentistry, pharmacy and optometry services. Drive integration of primary care within neighbourhood health models and wider system transformation programmes. Support development of clinical leadership models and collaborative provider arrangements across the cluster. Lead programme governance through forums such as the DLN Primary Care Programme Board. Work with ICB executives, provider collaboratives, local authorities and NHS England to deliver strategic objectives and statutory duties. Ensure delivery of access, quality, financial and performance improvements across primary care services. Primary care transformation and neighbourhood health development. Improving access to NHS dental services and reducing inequalities. Governance, commissioning and contract management. Workforce sustainability and provider engagement. Population health improvement and strategic commissioning.
About us
The DLN Cluster, comprising Derby & Derbyshire ICB, Lincolnshire ICB, and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire ICB, offers prospective employees a unique opportunity to contribute to healthcare innovation focused on reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for local communities. By joining our team, you will help develop integrated neighbourhood health models that bring care closer to home and support proactive, preventative approaches. We are committed to sustainable, high-impact clinical excellence and support innovation through dedicated transformation funding, turning ideas for improvement into frontline delivery. At the DLN Cluster, your career will be shaped by meaningful system-wide change, collaborative working, and the opportunity to help build a healthier, fairer future for diverse communities across the region.
This role may be employed by any organisation within the DLN Cluster.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification.
Provide strategic leadership for primary care across the Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire (DLN) Cluster, ensuring effective commissioning, transformation and integration of GP, dental, pharmacy and optometry services. The role supports the transition to a cluster operating model while maintaining statutory responsibilities and improving population health outcomes.Across our footprint, we commission services from approximately 319 general practices, alongside an extensive network of community pharmacies, dental and optometry providers.
Working closely with the Director of Primary Care and others, you will operate across organisational and professional boundaries, bringing people together around a shared purpose and translating ambitious strategies into measurable improvements in access, quality, experience and outcomes for our communities.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend both internal and external virtual stakeholder panels, followed by a formal panel interview. Further details about the selection process and arrangements will be shared with shortlisted candidates. We are anticipating interviews to commence W/C 28th September 2026.
Person Specification
Essential Essential
Proven track record of managing complex portfolios and large scale change. Develop positive working relationships across the DLN ICB Cluster and with system partners. Experience of working with providers, local authorities, and system partners or experience of working across organisational and sector boundaries. Knowledge of NHS commissioning, contracting and/or financial frameworks and experience of managing large budgets and complex contracts. Significant senior leadership and experience in NHS commissioning and services redesign. Proven experience of leading complex service redesign & transformation.
Desirable
Understanding of health inequalities, PHM, and prevention.
Essential Essential
Demonstrates inclusive, compassionate leadership, acts with integrity, transparency, and professionalism and champions equity, co-production, and population health.
Desirable
Ability to operate effectively as a strategic interface with senior clinical leaders, provider executives, local authority leaders, and regulators.
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 NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board
Address Derby Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)