About this role
Job summary
An exceptional opportunity has arisen to join the Board of First Community Health and Care as Director of Quality, People and Multi Professional Leadership and CQC Nominated Individual.
As a member of the Executive Team, you will provide strategic leadership for quality, patient safety, workforce, organisational development and professional practice, while sharing collective responsibility for the performance, governance and long-term sustainability of the organisation.
Candidates must hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and bring significant executive-level experience leading quality, workforce and professional practice within complex healthcare organisations. We welcome applications from accomplished Nursing and Allied Health Professional leaders with a proven track record of improvement, transformation and system leadership.
As a successful employee-owned social enterprise, First Community is recognised for innovation, partnership and community impact. You will help shape organisational strategy, influence neighbourhood health and integrated care, and champion the value of community services across Surrey and West Sussex.
We are seeking an authentic, compassionate and values-driven leader who can inspire confidence, build strong partnerships and create the conditions in which people and services flourish.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 1 December 2026.
Main duties of the job
As Director of Quality, People & Multi-Professional Leadership, you will be a key member of the Executive Team, helping to shape the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring we deliver outstanding care and outcomes for the communities we serve.
You will lead our quality, patient safety, workforce, organisational development and professional leadership agendas, creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver their best. You will champion continuous improvement as the CQC Nominated Individual, foster a positive and inclusive culture, and ensure high standards of care, governance and professional practice across the organisation.
Working closely with clinical and corporate teams, Board colleagues and system partners, you will help develop innovative and integrated approaches to care, strengthen workforce sustainability and support the organisation's long-term success.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced NHS leader who is passionate about quality, people and partnership working, and who wants to make a lasting difference for patients, communities and colleagues.
Before completing your application please refer to the Candidate Briefing Pack, JD, Person Specification and How to Apply document as well as About FCHC and Our Leadership Team documents - these can be found under supporting documents.
About us
First Community is a staff-owned social enterprise, rated Good by the CQC, providing NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for people who share our values: First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value.
Recognised as one of the country's leading community healthcare employers in the 2025 NHS Staff Survey, First Community offers a supportive workplace where everyone has a voice and opportunities to develop their full potential.
We offer
NHS terms and conditions, excellent training and development, flexible working, NHS pension, flexible retirement options, and a range of employee benefits.
If you need flexibility, please talk to us when you apply or at interview. We will consider all requests carefully and accommodate them where possible, depending on the role.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, and candidates with disabilities. We are committed to fair recruitment, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is central to our work as we support the NHS Net Zero ambition.
To stay safe online, only use our website to find and apply for jobs, and only trust recruitment communications from our published contact details. Any job advert, recruitment communication or offer can be verified through the contact details on our website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a member of the Executive Team and Board of Directors, the Director of Quality, People and Multiprofessional Leadership provides strategic leadership for quality, patient safety, workforce, organisational development and professional practice across First Community Health and Care. The post holder is jointly accountable with fellow Executive Directors for the overall leadership, governance, performance, sustainability and success of the organisation.
The Director is responsible for creating the conditions in which outstanding care and an outstanding employment experience can flourish, ensuring that quality, safety, workforce capability, professional standards and organisational culture are aligned to deliver the organisation's strategic ambitions. The post holder will lead the development and implementation of integrated strategies for quality, workforce, organisational development, patient safety and professional practice that support sustainable service delivery and improved outcomes for the communities served by First Community.
The role provides independent executive assurance to the Board in relation to quality, patient safety, safeguarding, workforce, professional leadership and regulatory compliance. The post holder will promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability and learning across the organisation.
The Director will play a significant leadership role across Surrey, Sussex and wider health and care partnerships, contributing to the development of integrated community services, neighbourhood health approaches and system-wide workforce and quality improvement priorities.
The Director will act as a corporate leader first and foremost, balancing responsibilities for quality, people and professional leadership with collective accountability for organisational performance, financial sustainability, partnership delivery and social impact. As a Board Director of a community interest company, the post holder will help position First Community as a leading provider of community health services and a recognised contributor to neighbourhood health and integrated care system development.
The post holder must hold current registration with either the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Candidates will bring substantial executive leadership experience and a demonstrable track record of leading quality, workforce and professional practice agendas within complex healthcare organisations.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience within healthcare, social care, service, community services, voluntary sector or social enterprise settings.
- Board-level or equivalent experience contributing to organisational strategy, governance and performance.
- Experience of leading quality, safety, workforce, organisational development, culture change or professional leadership functions.
- A proven track record of leading complex organisational transformation and improvement programmes.
- Experience of creating and sustaining high-performing, values-led cultures.
- Experience of working collaboratively with regulators, commissioners, local authorities, voluntary sector organisations and system partners.
- Experience of delivering improvement through partnership working and influencing without direct authority.
- Experience of leading across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes. Experience of managing significant financial, workforce and organisational resources. Experience of providing strategic assurance and advice to Boards or governing bodies.
Desirable
- Executive Director experience within an NHS, CIC, social enterprise or community provider organisation.
- Experience of working within an Integrated Care System.
- Experience of leading or contributing to a CQC inspection or Well-Led review. Experience in community healthcare, public health, prevention or integrated care services.
- Experience of social enterprise governance, community engagement or citizen participation approaches.
Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Master's degree or equivalent experience in healthcare leadership, organisational development, workforce, quality improvement or a related field.
- Evidence of substantial continuing professional development.
- Completion of recognised senior leadership or executive development programmes. Evidence of professional credibility and standing within their field.
Desirable
- MBA, master's in healthcare leadership, Organisational Development or related field. Chartered professional status or Fellowship of a recognised professional body.
- Qualification in Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, Human Factors or Systems Leadership. NHS Leadership Academy Executive Programme or equivalent senior leadership programme.
Communication & Influence
Essential
- Highly developed communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information with clarity and credibility.
- Skilled in engaging and influencing diverse audiences.
- Ability to manage conflict constructively and build consensus.
Knowledge, Skills & Aptitude
Essential
- Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing community health services and integrated care.
- Understanding of NHS policy, reform and the changing health and care landscape. Knowledge of quality governance, patient safety, safeguarding and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Understanding of workforce transformation, talent management and organisational development.
- Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion legislation and best practice. Understanding of population health management, prevention and reducing health inequalities.
- Knowledge of corporate governance, risk management and Board Assurance Frameworks.
- Understanding of financial stewardship and sustainable resource management. Knowledge of professional regulation and healthcare regulatory frameworks. Understanding of the CQC Well-Led Framework and quality assurance requirements.
Desirable
- Knowledge of social enterprise principles, governance and operating models. Understanding of community engagement, co-production and asset-based approaches. Knowledge of digital innovation and technology-enabled care.
- Understanding of sustainability and environmental responsibility within healthcare.
Strategic Leadership/Leading People & Culture
Essential
- Ability to articulate a compelling vision and inspire others around a shared purpose.
- Ability to balance strategic ambition with operational delivery.
- Ability to make sound decisions in complex, uncertain and politically sensitive environments.
- Demonstrates strategic thinking and long-term planning capability.
- Visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership style.
- Ability to create cultures where people feel valued, respected and empowered.
- Ability to develop talent and leadership capability at every level.
- Strong commitment to staff wellbeing, engagement and belonging.
- Ability to champion multi-professional leadership and collaborative working.
Partnership & System Leadership/Quality & Improvement
Essential
- Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills.
- Ability to work effectively across organisational and professional boundaries. Ability to develop productive partnerships with NHS organisations, local authorities, VCSE partners and community stakeholders. Ability to influence system-wide decision making and improvement.
- Strong political awareness and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead quality improvement, innovation and organisational learning. Ability to interpret complex information and make evidence-based decisions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to provide constructive challenge and assurance at Board level.
- Ability to balance quality, workforce and financial considerations when making decisions.
Other
Essential
- Committed to First Communitys values and mission.
- Resilient, adaptable, and solution focused. Inclusive and collaborative leadership style. High integrity and professional credibility.
- Passionate about improving patient experience and outcomes.
- Strong customer focus approach.
- Sensitive to the changing nature of the political and partnership environment, with the ability to respond positively and flexibly. Inspires confidence and empowers others to achieve organisation goals.
- Role models appropriate corporate behaviours and contributes to wider corporate change management.
- Committed to putting in extra effort to manage a large diverse workload and achieve important goals.
- Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. The highest degree of honesty, probity and integrity.
Desirable
- Active participation in regional or national professional networks.
- Experience of representing organisations at regional or national level.
- Evidence of contributing to wider health and care policy or professional development initiatives.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
First Community Health and Care
Address
First Community Health & Care
Consort House
5-7 Queensway
REDHILL
RH1 1YB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)