Kent and Medway is entering an important new phase in the development of its provider landscape. The Kent and Medway Provider Alliance brings providers together to tackle challenges that cannot be solved by individual organisations acting alone, improving outcomes for a population of almost two million people and creating more sustainable services for the future.



We are seeking an outstanding senior leader to become Managing Director of the Acute Provider Collaborative, bringing Kent and Medway's acute providers together around a major programme of service transformation. Working collaboratively with NHS Kent and Medway ICB as strategic commissioner, you will help translate the system's Commissioning Intentions and Four Layers of Care into a transformed and financially sustainable acute model.



The task is significant and urgent. Acute services across Kent and Medway must transform over the next two years. You will lead the development of a Kent and Medway Acute Model of Care, using the Collaborative as the vehicle to consolidate services where this improves quality and sustainability, develop specialist centres, maximise the use of acute assets and deliver greater financial efficiency. You will also lead the development of lead-provider models across multiple services and help ensure acute transformation enables the wider Left Shift towards



neighbourhood and community care. You will need to combine strategic vision with a strong track record of delivery. We are looking for an experienced executive leader with significant acute provider experience, a sophisticated understanding of complex health systems, and demonstrable experience of leading major transformation across organisational boundaries. You will be credible with Boards, clinicians and senior system partners and comfortable securing change through influence, relationships and shared accountability rather than organisational authority.



The successful candidate will have the ambition, resilience and judgement to navigate complexity and competing priorities while maintaining a relentless focus on better outcomes for patients and sustainable services.



For a confidential discussion, please contact
Lucy Deane - lucy.deane@gatenbysanderson.com ,
Melanie Shearer melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com or Julia St Clare - julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.com at GatenbySanderson .



To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.




Documents

Fit and Proper Person Declaration - New.docx

Recruitment Timetable



Closing date

9am Monday 30th November 2026



Preliminary Interviews for Information

w/c 7th December 2026



Stakeholder Engagement and Final Interviews

w/c 14th December 2026




How to Apply

• Please submit an up to date copy of your CV, along with a Supporting Statement that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.


• A completed fit and proper person form - the template can be downloaded from the same place as the job description.


• Detail any employment or education gaps.


• You should provide the names, positions, organisations, and contact details for your referees, which must be your line managers and include your current and most recent employer. The referees should cover at least two roles as the minimum. Please note, should you be appointed, you will be required to provide references covering your last 6 years of employment as per the new NHS Fit and Proper Person regulations. Where there have been gaps in employment, this six year period will be extended accordingly. Referees will only be contacted for those proceeding to the final stage - we will always gain your permission before we contact referees.


• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.


• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email to confirm that you have applied. If you do not receive this email, please make contact with GatenbySanderson.




Acceptable use of AI



Candidates may use AI tools to support proofreading, editing and presentation. However, all application materials should represent the candidate's own experience, perspectives and leadership thinking. We are seeking original and authentic responses, and applicants should ensure that any submission reflects their own analysis, judgement and vision for the role.