Chief Executive Officer in Chester

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Hospice of the Good Shepherd to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

Application Requirements

• Up-to-date CV
• Completed data capture form (provided by Harris Hill)
• Supporting Statement (max 2 A4 pages) outlining why you are interested in becoming CEO of Hospice of the Good Shepherd and demonstrating relevant experience.

Submit your completed application by 9am Monday 5th January 2026.

Dates for Your Diary

• Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 5th January 2026
• First interviews: week commencing 19th January 2026
• Second interviews: week commencing 26th January 2026

Main Duties of the Job

• Bring inspirational leadership and drive to the Hospice.
• Give direction, maintain financial stability and develop the operational management of the Hospice.
• Passion for end-of-life care, motivating teams to tailor services to the needs and wants of local communities.

About Us

Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides free care and support to people of Chester, West Cheshire and Deeside affected by life‑limiting illnesses. We ensure everyone we support has the best possible quality of life, helping patients live well and making every moment count.

Details

• Salary: £84,500 to £89,000 per year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time
• Reference number: HOS1156991
• Location: Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Gordon Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 4DG

Job Description Purpose

The Chief Executive will provide strategic and operational leadership at local, regional and national levels to ensure the Hospice achieves its objectives within the governance and strategic framework set by the Board of Trustees. The post holder will ensure high‑quality care and uphold the Hospice’s values of dignity, respect, care, compassion, trust, honesty, teamwork, collaboration and excellent communication.

Key Stakeholders/Relationships

Internal relationships

• Board of Trustees
• Senior Management Team
• All staff and volunteers

External relationships

• Local Hospice networks
• Local NHS Trusts, ICB and Community Service Providers
• Commissioning bodies
• Local community, donors and supporters
• National bodies including Hospice UK

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strong, visible leadership to staff and volunteers, building a motivated and high‑performing workforce committed to teamwork and professional development.
• Lead, support and direct the Senior Management Team, nurturing a culture of collaboration and excellence to ensure services align with the Hospice’s strategy, core values and governance standards.
• Drive the development of good people‑management practices, including recruitment, induction, performance management, professional development and staff engagement.
• Foster inclusion, care and wellbeing, promoting open communication and shared accountability.
• Lead and manage change, maintaining a learning organisation and continuously improving the staff experience.
• Work with the Board to formulate and implement a 35‑year strategic plan and annual business plan.
• Translate plans into clear, measurable objectives and monitor performance with KPIs.
• Advise the Board on strategic decisions, tracking healthcare and regulatory changes and safeguarding the Hospice’s long‑term relevance and sustainability.
• Identify opportunities for service development and new income streams, ensuring financial sustainability.
• Ensure the highest standards of specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care for patients and families.
• Review services regularly to meet changing community needs and contractual requirements.
• Address underperformance and safeguard service quality.
• Manage central support functions (Finance, People, Estates, Facilities, IT) and ensure compliance with legislation.
• Work effectively with the Chair and Board and committees to maintain communication and decision‑making support.
• Act as Nominated Individual for regulated activities under the Care Quality Commission.
• Ensure legal, governance, compliance and regulatory requirements are met.
• Support the Board in fulfilling governance responsibilities through accurate reporting and policy review.
• Develop robust risk management and financial stewardship arrangements, including budgets, monitoring and reporting.
• Produce and approve the Hospice Statutory Annual Report for the Annual General Meeting.
• Establish robust systems for accurate data generation to enable evidence‑based decision making.
• Oversee subsidiary companies, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Represent and promote the Hospice at local, regional and national forums, building relationships with donors, commissioners and statutory bodies.
• Act as ambassador for the Hospice, strengthening reputation and visibility.
• Engage the community to promote fundraising and volunteering.
• Implement information governance principles.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post, as directed by the Trustees.
• Maintain personal and professional development, keeping up to date with sector best practice.

Personal Development

The post holder will maintain high professional standards and will be supported with relevant education and development opportunities agreed with the Chair of Trustees.

Health, Safety & Security

• Comply with the Hospice’s Health & Safety Policy and take personal responsibility for workplace safety.
• Ensure a secure environment and report breaches of security.
• Act as Senior Information Risk Owner, working with the Caldicott Guardian to manage risk and information governance.

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

• Adhere to all confidentiality policies and legal requirements, ensuring sensitive information is handled, stored and shared appropriately.
• Take personal responsibility for safeguarding adults and children in line with Hospice policies and statutory guidance.
• Champion a culture of safety, openness and accountability, with mandatory safeguarding training for all staff.

Equal Opportunities

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd is fully committed to fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. All staff are expected to uphold these principles in daily work, with leaders responsible for championing inclusive practices.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent

Desirable Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent

Essential Experience

• Significant experience of successful leadership at Board level in a multidisciplinary organisation.
• Knowledge of the hospice sector in the UK.
• Inspirational leader with experience of leading and developing a Senior Management Team.
• Strategic and commercial acumen, managing large budgets and developing income streams through fundraising and partnership development.
• Deep understanding of the charity sector, aligning financial strategy with organisational mission.
• Proven ability to embed values, vision and ethos, fostering a positive, inclusive culture.
• Ability to identify, measure and manage organisational risk.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance and Board dynamics.
• Experience of representing and collaborating with key stakeholders, including regulators and the wider public.
• Experience of leading staff and volunteers through times of change.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in the care sector, ideally with an NHS interface.
• Experience developing innovative service models to extend reach.

Essential Personal Skills and Abilities

• Strong ambassadorial skills, advocating externally.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Integrity, versatility and sensitivity to ethical issues, with commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Analytical skills, applying innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Emotional intelligence, assessing decision impacts.
• Ability to foster partnership‑oriented culture.

Desirable Personal Skills and Abilities

• Influencing policy, strategy or service delivery at regional or national level.

Essential Other Requirements

• Willingness to work outside usual hours when required.
• Ability to travel to local and national events and all Hospice premises.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure check will be required.

Employer Details

• Name: Hospice of the Good Shepherd
• Address: Gordon Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 4DG
• Website: https://hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/