Lead one of the NHS's most ambitious system transformation programmes

The Kent and Medway Provider Alliance is seeking an exceptional leader to become its inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of health and care services for a population of almost two million people. Working on behalf of all Alliance members, you will provide executive leadership across providers and partners, driving delivery of the Four Layers of Care, neighbourhood health transformation, service redesign and large-scale system change.

This is not a traditional organisational Chief Executive role. It is a system leadership position, requiring the ability to lead through influence, build collective accountability across autonomous organisations and deliver measurable improvements in outcomes, quality, productivity and financial sustainability across Kent and Medway.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chair of the Alliance and accountable to the Provider Alliance Board, you will:

• Lead the provider sector's contribution to the transformation of health and care services across Kent and Medway.
• Drive implementation of the Four Layers of Care and the shift towards neighbourhood-based models of care.
• Lead the Acute and Neighbourhood Provider Collaboratives and support the development of future provider partnerships.
• Build a culture of collective accountability across NHS providers and partners.
• Deliver large-scale transformation programmes spanning acute, community, mental health and primary care services.
• Establish the Provider Alliance as the principal delivery vehicle for system-wide transformation.

About You

We are looking for an outstanding NHS leader with experience operating at Chief Executive or equivalent level within a highly complex health and care organisation or system. You will have a proven track record of leading transformational change, developing effective partnerships and securing delivery through collaboration rather than direct authority.

Critically, applicants must have a deep understanding of the Kent and Medway health and care system, including its organisations, partnerships, governance arrangements, strategic priorities and current transformation agenda. This is an essential requirement for the role.

You will also bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within the NHS.
• Experience of leading across organisational boundaries and complex governance structures.
• A strong track record of working with Boards, chief executives, local authorities, commissioners and NHS England.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrable success in delivering service transformation, financial improvement and system-wide change.
• The credibility to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and maintain focus on the needs of patients and communities.

Why Join Us?

Kent and Medway is entering a pivotal phase in its development. The Provider Alliance has been established to provide system leadership across provider collaboratives, professional groups and transformation programmes, ensuring providers work collectively to improve outcomes for local people while delivering sustainable health and care services for the future.

If you are an experienced system leader with a deep understanding of Kent and Medway and the ambition to deliver lasting change at scale, we would welcome your application.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Melanie Shearer or Julia St Clare at GatenbySanderson.

Julia St Clare, Senior Consultant

E: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7807 631 564

Melanie Shearer, Partner

E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548

Closing date: 3rd September
Interviews: w/c 7th September

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
Thursday 3rd September 2026

Final Panel Selection
w/c 7th September 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.