Interim Chair (Non-Exec Director)NHS

Job summary

Salus Medical Services is looking to appoint an interim chair to lead us through the next phase of our development. The main aim of the role is to support the long-term strategic direction of the organisation working alongside the CEO and the Board. This is a new role as previously the federation has operated with a clinical Chair.

The Chair will lead the Salus board providing strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance and supporting high-quality services for patients. You will be expected to build strong and effective relationships within the organisation and wider system. An exceptional communicator, you will bring credibility and gravitas in representing the interests of our organisation and patients with a wide range of stakeholders.

With leadership experience at Board level, gained in relevant environments, you will be politically astute and experienced in working across organisational boundaries. We would be particularly pleased to receive applications from candidates with a strong appreciation of the NHS and in particular NHS primary care.

This role will be both challenging and rewarding, offering you the opportunity to help shape the services we offer and to have maximum impact on the patients in our care.

This is a 12-month fixed term appointment, and you will be expected to work, on average 2 days per month.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to provide leadership to the organisation and ensure the Salus Board operates with effectiveness in all aspects of governance, process and assurance.

You will mentor and support the CEO and the executive team whilst maintaining independence from day-to-day operational management.

In addition to supporting the development of a long-term strategy the Chair will act as an ambassador for Salus across the wider health and care system, developing and strengthening relationships with key system partners and stakeholders.

Job description

The Chair will support, promote and sustain the work of Salus with specific responsibilities to include:

Meetings

• Chair board meetings and any sub-committees as agreed by the Salus board.
• Lead the board and ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role, including regularity and frequency of meetings.
• Set the board agenda considering issues arising from the executive team, board members or shareholders.
• Set the style and tone of board discussions to promote effective decision making and constructive debate, ensuring that the board members are fully informed about all issues on which they may be required to make decisions.
• Ensure that the board members receive accurate, timely and clear information to enable them to take sound decisions
• Manage the board to allow enough time for the discussion of complex or contentious issues.

Relationships

• Ensure appropriate delegation of authority from the Board to the Executive Team and that this remains aligned to the company articles and shareholder agreement
• Facilitate effective and active contribution by all board members
• Consistently maintain the position of a trusted advisor to the executive team, whilst supporting the development and delivery of a strategic plan
• Establish a close relationship of trust with the chief executive providing support and advice whilst respecting executive responsibility
• Provide coherent leadership of the organisation and present the organisation to the community, its membership, the media and the public, in conjunction with the chief executive
• Develop relationships with partner organisations within the local system and other stakeholders as appropriate
• Support the ongoing communication and dialogue with Salus shareholders

Other Responsibilities

• To become a director of Salus Medical Services Limited, registered with Companies House
• To support opportunities for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth
• Ensure the development needs of the board is evaluated at least once a year and, acting on the results of evaluation, recognise the strengths and address any weakness of the board where appropriate
• To plan and lead the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Review the outcomes and metrics created by Salus for evaluating its impact and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics
• Coordinate an annual performance evaluation of the CEO
• Partner with the CEO to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
• Periodically consulting with board members on their roles and helping them assess their performance
• Act as ambassador for the organisation
• Lead the recruitment process for Chief Executive as required

About us

Salus is a GP Federation which was formed by the local GP practices within Northeast Hampshire and Farnham. This Includes practices located in Aldershot, Farnborough, Fleet, Farnham & Yateley. We hold several contracts supporting primary care to deliver services on behalf of those practices, helping them work better together and with other healthcare providers leading to improved patient services and developing new ones due to constant changes in the Primary Care environment.

We also assist PCNs & practices with admin, operational and HR support and facilitate shared learning across localities. By engaging with the public, we also help ensure that services are designed and developed with patient and public involvement.

The staff at Salus Medical Services have a wealth of experience working in general practice and therefore a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced.