Transition Associate Director of Health and Care Workforce Development

This is a high-profile opportunity to shape workforce transformation across Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull ICB at a pivotal time. We are looking for a senior leader to drive delivery of the funded Cluster Business Case, working across health and care to develop sustainable workforce solutions that support integration, improve services and deliver better outcomes. This fixed-term/secondment post could also offer a strong development opportunity for an experienced leader ready to step into a broader system role or taking their next steps. This post is being offered on a fixed term/secondment basis until 31 March 2027.

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic leadership to the Cluster Workforce Programme Board.
• Drive delivery of shared workforce priorities.
• Build strong partnerships across providers, education and system leadership.
• Identify workforce risks and lead system-wide solutions.
• Support the transition to provider-led workforce models that deliver impact, sustainability and value for money.

We are looking for someone who has significant senior leadership experience in the NHS, a strong track record of delivering complex programmes and service improvement, and a deep understanding of NHS and social care priorities, workforce development and commissioning. You will bring strong judgement, analytical thinking and influencing skills, alongside the credibility to build trusted partnerships across organisational boundaries. Most importantly, you will be an inclusive, values-driven leader who can lead both directly and through matrix working.

If you are ready to lead at system level and make a visible difference during a period of significant change, we would welcome your application. We welcome applications from candidates both internal and external who are committed to inclusion, partnership working and improving outcomes for our communities.

About us

Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull Integrated Care System bring together the NHS, councils and voluntary sector to serve 2.7 million people. Our vision is to be the healthiest place to live and work, improving life chances and reducing inequalities. You will model system values, champion inclusion and actively address health inequalities, helping create an environment where everyone can thrive. In return, the Cluster offers a supportive, ambitious and inclusive environment with opportunities to develop and work across partners to deliver meaningful change.

The ICB is committed to having a workforce which is representative of the population of Birmingham, the Black Country, and Solihull Cluster. Our current staffing profile demonstrates that we are not as representative as we would like to be at this level within the organisation. We would actively welcome applications from women and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds for this role. The ICB is registered as a Disability Confident Employer. We actively welcome applications from applicants with a disability and commit to shortlisting all such suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria for an interview. Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you require to participate in the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities

• Act as a senior representative and ambassador of the organisation.
• Demonstrate high standards of behaviour commensurate with a senior leader.
• Provide overall strategic leadership to plan and deliver relevant services.
• Accountable for supporting the delivery and transition of cluster wide collaborative workforce development programmes.
• Lead a professional, efficient, effective and high quality team and function to achieve excellence.
• Identify key opportunities for collaborative programmes of work arising from other national priorities.

In carrying out your role, you will be accountable for:

• System Workforce Leadership and Programme Management.
• System Provider Workforce Development.
• Future Workforce Supply and Education Partnerships.
• Workforce Risk Identification and Mitigation.
• Future Provider Workforce Operating and Funding Model.

Person Specification

• Educated to Masters degree level in relevant subject, or equivalent level qualification, or significant demonstrable experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area.
• Membership of relevant professional body.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Programme or project management training or equivalent experience.
• A broad range of extensive knowledge in more than one specialist area.

• Significant experience of delivery as a senior NHS manager.
• Significant experience of application of commissioning competencies across the commissioning cycle.
• Proven successful experience of working with clinical and managerial colleagues across and within organisations.
• Staff line management experience and wider coordination of a team.
• Excellent understanding of strategic NHS and social care issues.

• Being inclusive, supportive and empowering at all times.
• Engaging and enabling those working towards the aims we have as a collective.
• High level analytical skills.
• High level critical thinking skills.
• Strong ability to build, nurture and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.

• Adaptability, flexibility and willingness to challenge yourself.
• Ability to lead, empower and motivate colleagues and stakeholders.
• Openness and honesty.
• Respectful of others with the ability to listen and provide feedback constructively.
• An effective team player.

• A demonstrable understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion with evidence of personal impact in these areas.

• Able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations.
• Ability to make decisions autonomously when required.