Chief Strategy, Digital, and Partnerships Officer

Essential

• Educated to master's degree level or equivalent senior leadership experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional and executive leadership development.
• Significant management or leadership qualification or equivalent experience.

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of NHS strategy, policy, planning and performance frameworks.
• Deep understanding of Integrated Care Systems, provider collaboratives, neighbourhood health and population health approaches.
• Strong understanding of the NHS 10-Year Plan and implications for acute providers.
• Comprehensive understanding of strategic planning, organisational development and transformation methodologies.
• Ability to align strategy, planning, digital transformation and operational delivery within complex matrix organisations.
• Exceptional influencing, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within highly complex political and stakeholder environments.
• Ability to lead through influence rather than direct authority.
• Strong understanding of information governance, digital transformation and technology-enabled change.
• Ability to translate long-term vision into practical and deliverable programmes.

Desirable

• Understanding of Integrated Health Organisation development.
• Knowledge of academic health science partnerships, innovation ecosystems and research-intensive organisations.
• Understanding of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and emerging healthcare technologies.

Essential

• Significant Board-level leadership experience within a large and complex healthcare organisation or comparable environment.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing organisational strategy.
• Experience of leading major transformation and organisational change programmes.
• Experience of working effectively across organisational boundaries and partnership environments.
• Experience of influencing national, regional or system-level agendas.
• Experience of overseeing large portfolios delivered through senior leaders rather than direct management.
• Experience of advising Boards and Executive Teams on strategic decisions.
• Experience of programme governance, benefits realisation and strategic assurance.
• Experience of aligning multiple strategies and programmes within large matrix organisations.
• Experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships.

Desirable

• Experience of NHS merger, integration or operating model redesign.
• Experience of provider collaborative leadership.
• Experience of digital transformation at organisational scale.
• Experience of working with universities, research organisations or innovation partnerships.
• Experience of developing Integrated Health Organisations or place-based delivery models.

Essential

• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate emerging trends, pressures and opportunities, maintaining a strong focus on delivery and outcomes.
• Visible, credible and inspiring leader with excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership skills, able to motivate, empower and develop others to achieve their full potential.
• Demonstrates compassion, integrity and professionalism, leading by example and fostering trust and confidence among colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to patient-centred care and improving outcomes for the communities served.
• Highly collaborative and relationship-focused building effective partnerships across organisational, system and national boundaries to deliver shared objectives.
• Comfortable operating in complex and ambiguous environments, balancing competing organisational priorities, risks and regulatory expectations while making sound decisions and providing clear leadership and direction.
• Able to balance competing priorities, make sound decisions and respond effectively to emerging challenges, demonstrating agility, judgement and the ability to think strategically under pressure.
• Committed to inclusion, equality, diversity and social inclusion, creating an environment where individuals feel valued, respected and able to thrive.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, learning and innovation, encouraging others to embrace change, identify opportunities and drive organisational improvement.
• Willing to challenge constructively and manage conflict effectively, holding others to account while maintaining positive and productive relationships.
• Demonstrates personal credibility with clinicians, managers, Board members, external partners and a broad range of clinical and non-clinical NHS professionals.
• Demonstrates strong influencing and negotiation skills, able to persuade, engage and build consensus across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Resilient and calm under pressure, maintaining focus, prioritising effectively and delivering results in challenging and high-demand environments.
• Committed to the development of others, enabling, empowering and supporting colleagues to maximise their potential and contribute effectively.
• Able to relate immediate situations to wider organisational, system and national trends and pressures, ensuring decisions are informed by the broader strategic context.