About this role
Job summary
Our Chief Executive, Dr Owen Williams OBE, will be stepping down in September and we are seeking a compassionate and inspirational leader to shape the next phase of our improvement and transformation journey. You will lead a motivated and committed Executive team and embed an open culture underpinned by continuous improvement and strong partnerships both across the organisation and the dynamic Greater Manchester system. You will embody our values, care, appreciate and inspire, championing leadership behaviours grounded in integrity, inclusivity, and transparency. Working in close partnership with colleagues across our footprints, you will enable more integrated, population-focused services that promote prevention, wellbeing and the reduction of inequalities.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a leader who brings significant experience at, or close to, Chief Executive level gained within complex health and care environments, with a track record of leading transformation and delivering sustainable, improved quality outcomes. Skilled in quickly building trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders and a visible leader, you will inspire staff, partners and the public alike. Above all, you will bring resilience, authenticity, and a deep commitment to improving experience, outcomes and equity for our workforce and the patients and populations they serve.
About us
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.
As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.
In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further details about the role, including key duties and responsibilities, please click on the microsite link below and refer to the Job Description and Person Specification available under the Supporting Documents section.
You can also find out more about what its like to work at the Northern Care Alliance by exploring our Candidate Information Pack, attached to the vacancy.
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit your application via the GatenbySanderson vacancy link below.
Closing date: 9am Wednesday 17 June 2026Preliminary interviews:Week commencing 22 June 2026Stakeholder engagement:July 2026 Date TBC
Final interviews:Wednesday 29 July 2026
GatenbySanderson Microsite Link
GatenbySanderson Vacancy Link
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Master's level education or equivalent professional qualification Evidence of continuous professional and leadership development
Desirable
Qualification in Leadership / Organisational Development
Knowledge, Training & Experience Essential
Board level (CEO, Deputy CEO or equivalent) leadership experience in a large, complex organisation Proven track record of delivering sustained improvements in quality, operational performance and financial outcomes Demonstrated success in developing and delivering organisational strategy and translating vision into measurable results Experience leading large-scale, complex transformation, innovation and change programmes Strong experience managing significant financial resources and delivering financial sustainability Successful track record leading large, diverse workforces and executive teams, building high-performing and inclusive cultures Highly developed communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and embedding inclusive practices within organisations Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships across organisational and system boundaries
Desirable
CEO level leadership experience in a large, complex organisation Experience working across Integrated Care Systems or complex system partnerships Experience of leading large scale financial recovery programmes Experience representing an organisation at regional or national level
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 Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Address Salford Royal Hospital
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)