Executive Reviewer - Well Led

Overview

• Contracted hours: Ad-hoc
• Location: Nationwide (England)
• Closing Date: 16 February 2026 at 23:59
• Day rate: This is an honorary unpaid role, where a Trust releases an individual for inspections without reimbursement from the CQC. Individuals will be eligible for paid expenses.
• Eligibility: This role is NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Responsibilities

• Proactively participating with CQC representatives on assessment activity.
• Providing relevant advice and input to your specialist area to support and formulate appropriate judgements.
• Identifying and reviewing key documents in support of your analysis of organisations.
• Assessing individual capabilities by informing the areas for exploration in interviews which you will lead.
• Participate in quality assurance processes and give written feedback.

What you will bring

• You will have up-to-date and credible professional knowledge and experience, within secondary care or the mental health sector, which will help you evaluate and analyse evidence and information.
• You should be a skilled communicator, with the ability to engage with staff, users of services and stakeholders at every level.
• You should be able to interpret complex information and be comfortable working transparently as part of a team.

Role expectations

• Proactively participate with CQC representatives on assessment activity to identify NHS Trusts and provide relevant advice and input to your specialist area in order to support the formation of appropriate judgements.
• Undertake preparation, specific to Trust Level Assessments, such as identifying and reviewing key documents which will support your analysis of the organisation and contribute to the briefing call.
• Review the drafted interview schedule to optimise the utilisation of the expertise of the Executive Reviewer.
• Assess individual and team leadership capability by informing the areas for exploration in interviews.
• Assess individual and team leadership capability by leading interviews and taking notes, which will be used to inform the final report.
• Assess the NHS Trust against the well led Quality Statements, particularly those relating to leadership and governance.
• Assess organisational process and response for mitigating corporate risk and providing assurance of delivery standards.
• Contribute your views and observations based on experience and good practice, to corroboration discussions and in writing during or shortly after the assessment.
• Provide challenge to any perceived bias within the assessment team, to ensure fair identification and triangulation of information.
• Endorse the key messages that require feedback to the NHS Trust.
• Participate in the quality assurance processes and give written feedback.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information that is accessed in the course of work undertaken for CQC.
• Ensure all work carried out is within the scope of that required and relevant CQC policies/guidance are adhered to.
• Participate in a remote induction, hosted virtually.

Time commitment

• Must be able to commit to at least 1 full assessment within a 12-month period.
• Preparation and briefing calls – 3-4 hours.
• Fieldwork activity – on site for a minimum of 2 days per assessment.
• Input into quality assurance – as appropriate.

DBS and adjustments

Please note this position will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, which is no older than three years.

For an informal discussion or further information on the role, please contact Kathryn.Halford@cqc.org.uk.

For further information on the role requirements, please review the job description here: Executive Reviewer - Specification NHS Trusts.

Individual adjustments: We are committed to being open and transparent around our processes and endeavour to offer every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. We seek to support candidates to identify potential challenges and work with them to identify and facilitate reasonable adjustments as appropriate. If you require assistance or would like to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact a member of the team via email: temprecruitment@cqc.org.uk.

CQC are currently working through an organisational transformation programme which includes the creation of a new target operating model. This role is offered as a fixed term contract as part of the transition process to that new model. For further information please visit the CQC jobs information page.

CQC is committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential, and we encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Candidates must ensure that all information provided in their application is detailed in their own words and is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. CQC abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values; if evidence of plagiarism or generating answers from other sources is found, applications may be withdrawn.

Our Values

• Excellence – Meeting our challenge to be a high-performing organisation
• Caring – Treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Integrity – Demonstrating our passion for ‘doing the right thing’
• Teamwork – Enabling us to be the best we can