About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a Partnership Manager to play a central role in strengthening strategic relationships between NHS Essex and key external stakeholders across local government, public services and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. Working closely with the Chief of Staff, you will lead and coordinate partnership activity beyond the NHS, helping to align engagement with system priorities and strengthening the organisations influence across the wider health and care landscape.
Main duties of the job
You will act as a key coordination point for engagement with elected representatives, system partners and media stakeholders. You will develop and deliver project plans, support effective governance, risk management and reporting, analyse stakeholder and partnership insight, and prepare clear briefings and reports to inform decision-making.
We are looking for someone with significant experience of working with elected representatives, local government and wider system partners. You will be confident managing stakeholder engagement, correspondence and briefings for senior leaders, working across organisational boundaries, handling complex and sensitive information, and using evidence and insight to support improved outcomes and reduced inequalities across Essex.
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is 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. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
The Partnership Manager will play a central role in strengthening strategic relationships between NHS Essex and key external stakeholders across local government, public services and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. Working closely with the Chief of Staff, the postholder will lead and coordinate partnership activity beyond the NHS, ensuring alignment with system priorities and enhancing the organisations influence across the wider health and care landscape.
The role will act as a key coordination point for engagement with elected representatives, system partners and media stakeholders. The postholder will support the development of a more proactive, consistent and strategic approach to external engagement, enabling improved decision-making, stronger system relationships and more effective delivery of ICB priorities.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Chief of Staff in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
From Treatment to Prevention:Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
From Hospital to Community:Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
Implement policy and service developments related to external affairs, partnership working and stakeholder engagement, drawing on requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health PlanEnsure compliance with relevant ICB policiesUse research, innovation and audits to inform service improvements or performance management
Strategy and analysis
Analysis of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to partnership effectiveness, stakeholder engagement and system workingTurns analysis into useful insights and reports that can be used to inform decision making and deliveryPresent complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefingsUse of data and insight to contribute to reporting, including performance management, financial and quality reporting against agreed contractual or project deliverablesUse of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
Planning and organisation
Develop and deliver project plans, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reportingManaging competing priorities, prioritizing own and team resources to effectively deliver on short, medium and longer term prioritiesEnsure accurate reporting and records managementSupport delivery and monitoring of business plan for partnership engagement.
Communications and Partnerships
Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadershipAble to take account of a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision makingComfortable presenting information and training to internal and external stakeholder groupsBuild strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as neededEffective engagement with patients and the public as requiredWork effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of projects that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care systemShare complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffingAble to manage conflict, find compromise and persuade based on evidence as needed
Financial and resource management
Supports delivery of budget for partnership and engagement activity, including effective budget monitoring and reporting as requiredSupports procurement of relevant services
Team management and capability building
No direct line management responsibility; however, the postholder will influence and coordinate activity across teams and partner organisationsAble to influence in order to deliver effectively through those not directly line managingSupport staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transitionSupport the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangementsMaintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transitionSupporting effective Information Asset Management for the team
Other
Use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the rolePrimarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetingsAble to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:
ICB senior leadershipChief Executives OfficeCorporate Services DirectorateLocal Authority partnersNHS ProvidersElected representatives (MPs, councillors)VCSE organisations and networksCommunications and engagement teamsNHSE regional partners
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Significant experience working with elected representatives, including MPs and councillors; experience working across the wider public services landscape, including local government and system partners Experience managing stakeholder engagement, correspondence and briefings for senior leaders Experience of working in a relevant healthcare environment Experience managing complex and confidential information, including supporting responses to media and political inquiries.
People & Culture Essential
Line management experience, including supporting individual development and addressing under-performance where necessary; Acts as a positive, compassionate and inclusive manager; Commitment to continuous improvement, organisational learning and achieving positive outcomes for staff, patients, service users and carers.
Personal Attributes and Values Essential
Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wide health system Demonstrates professionalism, self-awareness and emotional intelligence; takes personal responsibility and works with integrity Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Able to work as part of a team and independently Able to adapt to different situations, influence others and build credibility effectively; self-motivated, confident and able to prioritise workload in complex and changing environments Advanced IT skills in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Governance & Assurance Essential
Experience delivering projects that require collective decision-making and negotiation; good understanding of effective corporate governance and routes for decision-making within the ICB Understanding of relevant legislation, policies and guidance across health, care and local government
Strategy & Analysis Essential
Good understanding of current health and social care national aims and policy Experience using analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex problems Good data analysis and interpretation skills, including use of data to support Population Health Management Ability to translate complex information into clear communications for a range of audiences; experience using proven programme, service development and project management methodologies to ensure delivery.
Qualifications Essential
Educated to Degree level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
Partnerships & Communities Essential
Experience working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects; Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively; Able to influence and challenge effectively within areas of responsibility, escalating appropriately where necessary; Experience developing and maintaining partnerships across organisational boundaries.
Employer details Employer name NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
Address Seax House
Victoria Road South
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)