Job summary
We are seeking an exceptional leader who shares - and can role model - our values, to join as our new Chief Executive.
Whilst we have seen significant and sustained improvement against some indicators of safety and quality, we continue to face challenges in relation to matching our capacity to the demand for our services. However, despite the ongoing challenges, we successfully eliminated all waits of more than 78 weeks this year. Our staff have shown exceptional flexibility as they have tackled the task of adapting to conflicting demands and the rising acuity of patients. Our new Quality Strategy provides a robust plan based on ambitious quality improvement priorities in line with our vision to achieve an excellent patient experience each and every time.
We work across the West Yorkshire ICS and the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts, and within Kirklees Place and Wakefield Place, to drive collaboration and partnerships which allow imbalances and inequalities to be addressed across boundaries. We are ambitious to expand the opportunity for research to benefit our patients and this year we secured our goal of teaching status. All our services benefit from the status which is driven through our partnership with the University of Leeds. Our relationship with the University of Huddersfield, University of Bradford and other higher education organisations also enhances opportunities, and achieving teaching status is a boost to innovation and recruitment opportunities.
Main duties of the job
You will have significant experience as a senior board-level leader within a complex NHS healthcare provider and will possess high-level strategic leadership and management skills. As Chief Executive you will be required to make a major contribution to Place based arrangements, including integration of services, population health management and preventing and reducing inequalities. You will require exceptional communication style, an ability to define and articulate a compelling vision, and relationship building skills that set you apart from others.
If you have an open and inspiring style, the ability to effectively lead large-scale change whilst encouraging innovation, and the ability to listen to staff, please visit where you can learn more about us and this recruitment process, and hear the Chair talking about the role. We particularly welcome applications from disabled candidates and those from global majority backgrounds.
Please do not submit an application via NHS Jobs. GatenbySanderson are supporting the Trust with this appointment. For an informal conversation, please contact Robin Staveley, Emily Smith or Helen Barkham of GatenbySanderson via .
Please note preliminary interviews will be held early to mid-January 2025, with final selection taking place across both Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th February 2025.
About us
With a turnover of £785 million we are the provider of compassionate and expert care for over half a million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields. We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance: We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. Its important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Provide vision, direction and inspirational leadership in enabling the Trust to meet its strategic Striving for Excellence objectives and delivering the future ten-year health plan for the NHS.
2. Role model the Trusts Values and Behaviours, being highly visible, inclusive and compassionate in style and approach and demonstrate commitment to the Nolan Principles and NHS Values.
3. Take responsibility for building and maintaining effective working relationships at the most senior levels with a wide range of local and national stakeholders integral to the Trusts success as a service provider, delivering effective and impactful external communications.
4. Take overall responsibility for the Trusts clinical governance and standards of clinical care and ensure that appropriate assurance and management processes are in place to ensure safe, compassionate and high-quality care.
5. Lead the continuing culture change programme to ensure that the workforce feel engaged, valued and supported.
6. Lead the team of Executive Directors to ensure the effective leadership and management of the Trust in accordance with the CQC Well Led Framework.
7. Provide constructive system leadership in the development, implementation and operation of effective place-based arrangements in Kirklees and Wakefield.
8. Work with the Chair to engage the Non-Executive Directors, allowing them to fulfil their statutory duties and responsibilities.
9. Lead the development of the Trusts strategic objectives and its financial, operational, and quality targets in partnership with stakeholders and local communities, as well as leading on their delivery, and similarly for both places.
10. Manage the Trust in accordance with its values and behaviours, strategic objectives, policies and specific decisions of the Trust Board ensuring that all activities are directed towards the achievement of these.
11. Lead the Trusts championing of equality and diversity both as an employer and provider of services.
12. Ensure the Trust makes a pro-active, significant contribution to improving health and wellbeing of the citizens of Kirklees and Wakefield including population health management, preventing inequalities and reducing the significance of existing inequalities.
13. Lead the Trusts approach to transformation and delivery of the continuous improvement plan.
14. Operate a clear performance management and accountability framework which enables successful financial performance/balance and operational delivery.
15. Ensure that the Trust Board is given the advice and information necessary to perform its duties and that the business of the Board is properly conducted.
16. Promote regular, varied, and effective methods of communication with all staff and the public, working with the Associate Director of Communications.
17. Review and evaluate risks ensuring continued monitoring of the environment and establishing systems of control to provide the Board with regular assurance on their effectiveness.
18. Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to implement systems and monitor organisational learning from patient safety incidents and good practice arising within the Trust and wider health care system.
19. Promote and maintain harmonious and productive working relationships with the recognised trade unions, professional bodies, and staff representatives.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
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Experience
Essential
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