At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Board to provide financial oversight and strategic advice for healthcare improvement.
- Company: The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust serves West Cheshire and Welsh patients with a dedicated team.
- Benefits: Be part of a transformative leadership role in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care and community health while working with diverse professionals.
- Qualifications: Strong financial expertise and independent judgement are essential for this key leadership position.
- Other info: Opportunity to chair important committees and engage with the Council of Governors.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 Β£ per year.
Interview date: Week commencing 22nd September 2025
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Director (NED) to join its Board of Directors. This is a key leadership role at a time of strategic transformation and improvement.
About The Role
As an NED, you will bring independent judgement, financial expertise, and strategic insight to the Board. You will work collaboratively with Executive and Non-Executive Director colleagues to ensure the Trust delivers safe, kind, and effective care. The successful candidate will be expected to Chair either the Finance & Performance Committee or the Audit Committee and therefore must bring strong financial experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide independent financial oversight and strategic advice
- Support the development and delivery of the Trustβs Five-Year Strategy
- Champion patient safety, quality, and continuous improvement
- Constructively challenge and support the Executive team
- Promote openness, transparency, and public sector values
- Act as an ambassador for the Trust within the community and wider NHS
As a member of a unitary Board, there is a shared and collective responsibility amongst all the Directors for the overall strategic direction and performance of the Trust. As Non-Executive Director, you will collaborate with other Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors as an equal member of the Board.
You will share responsibility with other Directors for the decisions made by the Board and form the success of the organisation in leading the local improvement of healthcare services. All of the Board members are required to work collaboratively and also to provide constructive challenge, as necessary.
The Directors must satisfy themselves as to the appropriateness and integrity of the information that comes to the Board and the efficacy of the controls and systems in place to ensure the good governance of the Trust. The Non-Executive Directors bring fresh perspectives to governance, reflecting their wider experience and skill sets acquired outside the Trust.
Non-Executive Directors have a particular role in collaborating with the Council of Governors which, in turn, is responsible for holding the Non-Executive Directors (both individually and collectively) to account for the performance of the Board. In practice, this requires the Non-Executive Directors to work with and be visible to the Council of Governors in the performance of their role as Non-Executive Directors.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Neil Large Job title: Chair Email address: Telephone number: 01244 366429 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Non-Executive Director employer: Countess of Chester Hospital
Contact Detail:
Countess of Chester Hospital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Non-Executive Director
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Five-Year Strategy. Understanding their strategic goals will allow you to demonstrate how your financial expertise and independent judgement can contribute to their vision during discussions.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with current and former Non-Executive Directors or members of the Board. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the role and help you articulate how you can add value to the Trust.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've championed patient safety and quality in previous roles. Being able to share concrete instances will showcase your commitment to the Trust's values and mission.
β¨Tip Number 4
Research the local healthcare landscape, including challenges and opportunities within West Cheshire and the surrounding areas. This knowledge will enable you to engage meaningfully with the Council of Governors and demonstrate your understanding of the community's needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Non-Executive Director
Some tips for your application π«‘
Understand the Role: Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director. Highlight your independent judgement, financial expertise, and strategic insight in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects relevant experience, particularly in financial oversight and governance. Emphasise any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to constructively challenge and support executive teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for patient safety and quality improvement. Discuss how your skills align with the Trustβs Five-Year Strategy and your vision for contributing to the Board.
Prepare for the Interview: Anticipate questions related to governance, financial management, and strategic planning. Be ready to discuss how you would champion openness and transparency within the Trust.
How to prepare for a job interview at Countess of Chester Hospital
β¨Understand the Trust's Vision
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Five-Year Strategy. Familiarise yourself with their goals and how your financial expertise can contribute to achieving them.
β¨Prepare for Financial Oversight Questions
Given the importance of financial oversight in this role, be ready to discuss your previous experiences in financial management. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to provide strategic financial advice and oversight.
β¨Showcase Collaborative Leadership Skills
As a Non-Executive Director, collaboration is key. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully worked with diverse teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations where constructive feedback was necessary.
β¨Engage with Community Values
Since the role involves acting as an ambassador for the Trust, think about how you can connect with the community. Be ready to share your thoughts on promoting openness and transparency within public sector values during the interview.