Chief ExecutiveNHS

Job summary

Lead one of Cornwall's largest and most innovative primary care organisations.

St Austell Healthcare serves approximately 37,800 patients across multiple sites and delivers a growing range of primary and integrated healthcare services. We are seeking an exceptional leader to become our next Chief Executive, providing strategic direction, organisational leadership and operational oversight across the organisation.

Reporting to the GP Partnership Board/Chair, you will lead the delivery of high-quality, safe and sustainable services, drive innovation and transformation and represent the organisation across the wider health and care system.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within healthcare or a similarly complex organisation with experience operating at Board or Executive level.
• A proven track record of strategic leadership, transformation and organisational improvement.
• Strong financial, governance and stakeholder leadership skills.
• A compassionate, inclusive and values-driven leadership style.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of integrated healthcare in Cornwall, working with committed clinical and operational leaders to improve outcomes for local communities. We welcome applications from ambitious, collaborative leaders who share our commitment to outstanding patient care, innovation and organisational excellence.

Our vision: Delivering the very best in healthcare and wellbeing for our community.

Main duties of the job

Job Purpose:

The Chief Executive is the most senior executive leader within St Austell Healthcare and is accountable to the GP Partnership Board/Chair for the overall leadership, strategic direction, performance, governance and sustainability of the organisation. The Chief Executive will work closely with the Chair to support effective governance, strategic leadership and organisational development. There may be an opportunity to progress to a partnership within St Austell Healthcare in time.

The postholder will provide visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality healthcare services which meet the needs of patients, local communities and wider system partners.

Working alongside GP Partners, clinical leaders and colleagues across the organisation, the Chief Executive will lead the delivery of the organisation's vision and strategic objectives whilst ensuring excellence in patient care, workforce wellbeing, financial stewardship and organisational development.

The Chief Executive will act as an ambassador for St Austell Healthcare and will represent the organisation locally, regionally and nationally, fostering strong partnerships that improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.

Job description

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

The Chief Executive will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the organisation and ensure delivery of its vision, values and objectives.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the organisation's Strategic Plan.
• Ensure services are designed around the needs of patients and local communities.
• Promote innovation and transformation to improve quality, access and patient outcomes.
• Ensure organisational priorities align with local, regional and national NHS policy.
• Support the Board in identifying future opportunities and risks.
• Lead the development of new models of care that support integrated, population-focused healthcare.

Corporate Leadership and Governance

The Chief Executive will:

• Develop a constructive and transparent relationship with the Chair.
• Support the Chair in ensuring effective Board governance and decision-making.
• Provide timely and accurate information to the Chair and Board.
• Ensure the Board receives appropriate assurance regarding organisational performance, quality, workforce and financial sustainability.
• Serve as principal adviser to the GP Partnership Board.
• Ensure the highest standards of corporate governance and accountability.
• Promote a culture of openness, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Maintain effective systems of assurance, risk management and organisational control.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Provide assurance to the Board regarding organisational performance and delivery of objectives.
• Support effective Board development and governance arrangements.

Quality, Safety and Clinical Excellence

The Chief Executive will:

• Hold overall accountability for the quality and safety of services.
• Ensure systems are in place to support excellence in patient care and experience.
• Promote a culture of quality improvement and organisational learning.
• Ensure robust clinical governance arrangements across all services.
• Support clinical leaders to drive improvements in care quality and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission standards and relevant professional frameworks.
• Promote learning from incidents, complaints, audits and patient feedback.

System Leadership and Partnership Working

The Chief Executive will:

• Represent St Austell Healthcare within the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health and care system.
• Develop strong relationships with NHS organisations, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, Primary Care Networks, local authorities and voluntary sector partners.
• Contribute to Integrated Care System and place-based priorities.
• Promote collaborative working across organisational boundaries.
• Develop partnerships that improve population health and reduce health inequalities.
• Advocate for the needs of the local population within wider strategic forums.

Operational Leadership

The Chief Executive will:

• Ensure delivery of safe, responsive and effective healthcare services.
• Maintain oversight of organisational performance against agreed objectives.
• Ensure services remain patient-centred, accessible and sustainable.
• Oversee business continuity, resilience and emergency preparedness arrangements.
• Ensure organisational resources are deployed effectively and efficiently.
• Monitor performance through agreed quality, workforce, operational and financial indicators.

Financial Leadership and Stewardship

The Chief Executive will:

• Hold overall accountability for the financial sustainability of the organisation.
• Ensure effective stewardship of public resources.
• Lead the development of long-term financial and business plans.
• Ensure robust financial governance and control arrangements.
• Support the identification and development of opportunities that strengthen organisational sustainability.
• Work closely with financial leads to ensure delivery of agreed financial objectives.
• Ensure value for money across all areas of activity.

Workforce Leadership and Organisational Development

The Chief Executive will:

• Lead the development of an inclusive, compassionate and high-performing culture.
• Promote staff wellbeing, engagement and retention.
• Ensure workforce plans support organisational priorities.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Develop leadership capability throughout the organisation.
• Promote multidisciplinary working and collaborative leadership.
• Ensure effective succession planning arrangements are in place.

Communications and Engagement

The Chief Executive will:

• Act as principal spokesperson for the organisation.
• Build public confidence in St Austell Healthcare.
• Promote meaningful engagement with patients, staff and stakeholders.
• Lead communication during periods of organisational change or operational challenge.
• Foster strong relationships with community partners and local representatives.
• Ensure communication reflects organisational values and supports transparency.

Leadership Expectations

The Chief Executive will:

Lead with Integrity

• Act with honesty, openness and transparency.
• Take accountability for decisions and actions.
• Promote trust throughout the organisation.

Lead with Compassion

• Listen actively and seek to understand different perspectives.
• Support and develop colleagues.
• Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Lead for Improvement

• Encourage innovation and learning.
• Use data and evidence to guide decision-making.
• Deliver sustainable improvement.

Lead Through Collaboration

• Build strong internal and external partnerships.
• Work constructively across organisational boundaries.
• Promote collective leadership.

Lead Inclusively

• Value diversity of thought and experience.
• Create opportunities for all staff to contribute and develop.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion.

Organisational Commitment

The Chief Executive will:

• Uphold the principles of the NHS Constitution.
• Champion the NHS People Promise.
• Promote the standards expected within the CQC Well-Led framework.
• Act as a visible and credible role model for the organisation's values and behaviours.
• Maintain the highest standards of professional and personal conduct.

About us

St Austell Healthcare is one of Cornwall's largest and most innovative primary care organisations, serving approximately 37,800 patients across 2 GP practice contracts and multiple sites and delivering an expanding range of primary, community and integrated healthcare services. The organisation was formed through the merger of local practices and operates across St Austell, Foxhole and Mevagissey whilst also providing a range of hosted and subcontracted healthcare services.

Our Vision

Delivering the very best in healthcare and wellbeing for our community.

Our Purpose

To deliver safe, high-quality, sustainable and collaborative health services, with a focus on prevention, to enable the people of St Austell to live their lives to the full.

Our values

• Patient-centred
• Compassionate
• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Accountable
• Innovative

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of Cornwall's largest and most ambitious primary care organisations. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision, compassionate leadership