Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an inspiring and values driven Chief Executive Officer to lead our organisation into its next phase of growth and innovation. Leeds GP Confederation was formed in 2018. A collaborative, values-led organisation bringing GP practices together to improve health across Leeds, support our communities, and nurture a kind, inclusive culture for everyone we work with. Our vision is to enable General Practice to thrive, thereby improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Leeds. We are an at scale provider of multiple primary care-based services. We have a reputation of being responsive to the needs of the people of Leeds and the colleagues we work with in health and care. The Confederation is not just CQC Outstanding, but an outstanding place to work.

A key focus of the CEO role will be to navigate the Confederation during a period of transition for the Leeds Health & Care Partnership, to define its purpose for the future and cement its place within the Partnership. The CEO provides strategic, operational and cultural leadership as the leader of a strong Executive Team, to ensure the organisation fulfils its purpose, providing a strategic voice for Primary Care in the Leeds Health & Care Partnership and delivering high-quality services in a financially stable, well-governed environment.

Main duties of the job

• Lead strategy, transformation and organisational development
• Strengthen relationships across the system
• Champion our culture and values
• Inspire staff through collaborative, compassionate leadership
• Ensure governance, financial stability and high quality delivery

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a track record of successful senior leadership in a complex organisation
• Builds strong relationships
• Leads with authenticity, integrity and openness
• Values diversity and strives for inclusion
• Thrives in dynamic systems
• Is passionate about people, purpose and public value

About us: Leeds GP Confederation is a collective of GP practices working together to deliver high-quality, patient-centred primary care across the city. By collaborating, we share resources, expertise, and innovation to improve services for our communities. Our mission is to support general practice, strengthen local healthcare, and ensure every patient in Leeds receives the right care, at the right time, from the right people.

Job responsibilities

1. Role Purpose

The Chief Executive Officer provides strategic, operational and cultural leadership to ensure the organisation fulfils its purpose, providing a strategic voice for Primary Care in the Leeds Health & Care Partnership and delivering high-quality services in a financially stable, well-governed environment. The CEO will champion the organisations values, and behaviours, nurture an inclusive culture, and build strong internal and external relationships that enhance our reputation across the Leeds Health & Care Partnership and beyond.

2. Key Components of the Role during transitional phase

• Culture & People: Safeguard and strengthen the organisations positive culture where staff feel proud to work, empowered to act, connected to purpose, and focused on people and patients. Ensure behaviours reflect organisational values: collaboration, collective voice, openness, transparency, fairness and respect. Foster an environment where staff feel safe to speak up, challenge constructively, and learn from experience. Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
• Reputation & External Presence: Enhance the organisations reputation as a safe, responsive and proactive partner within the Health & Care Partnership. Represent the organisation and General Practice more broadly, with integrity, clarity and consistency, acting as an ambassador for its mission and values.
• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and review of the organisations strategy. Maintain a forward-looking perspective, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation. Drive a robust business development pipeline that supports financial sustainability.
• Partnership & Relationship Management: Foster internal collaboration and strong working relationships. Build and maintain partnerships across the Health & Care Partnership. Strengthen connections with Primary Care through PCNs, Practices and Clinical Directors. Maintain and actively develop relationships with General Practice, understanding their perspectives and ambitions. With others, for example the LMC, be a key voice and advocate for General Practice in the health and care system. Contribute to the maturity of the Leeds Provider Partnership and GPPC. Seek meaningful roles in MNP/SNP models, focusing on models of care. Support development of Neighbourhood Health and at-scale provision.

3. Key Components of the Role overall

• Governance, Risk and Assurance: Oversee corporate risks while empowering leaders and teams to manage their risks. Strengthen governance systems and processes. Review the structure and effectiveness of the Board. Enable the Executive Team to maintain and improve CQC performance. Work with the Director of Finance on strong financial planning. Support financial stability through effective contract delivery. Ensure resources are used responsibly and aligned to priorities.
• Operational Oversight and Contract Delivery: Provide strategic oversight of contractual delivery, working with the Chief Operating Officer and Associate Director of Clinical Professions as a triumvirate, while delegating operational accountability to the Chief Operating Officer. Assure the contracts meet KPIs and align with organisational expectations, receiving regular updates from the COO. Champion a culture of continual improvement in service delivery, without direct operational involvement.
• Leadership and Organisational Development: Inspire and motivate staff with a shared sense of purpose. Promote positive team relationships and collective development. Role-model authenticity, compassion, transparency and fairness. Live the organisations Behavioural Framework. Commit to ongoing learning and demonstrate growth through leadership behaviours. Empower and support others. Encourage learning, curiosity and innovation. Demonstrate openness, honesty and respect. Maintain trust while handling difficult conversations.

5. Success Measures

• Positive organisational culture and high staff engagement
• Enhanced reputation across the Health & Care Partnership
• Clear progress against strategic objectives
• Strong governance and improved CQC outcomes
• Successful delivery of all contracts
• Growth and diversity of contracts delivered
• Strong partnerships and stakeholder relationships
• Evidence of personal and organisational learning and growth

Person Specification

Experience: Demonstrable track record of successful senior leadership in a complex organisation. Evidence of driving culture and organisational development. Influence and management of stakeholders and partner organisation leaders and senior clinicians. Strategic planning and delivery in a multi stakeholder environment. Financial leadership experience, with budget management skills and strong commercial acumen. Delivery of innovation and/or service improvements within tight financial constraints. Leadership of governance, assurance and risk. Leadership of teams through transformational change. Successful senior leadership experience working in or with NHS, primary care or public sector organisations. Experience of building and growing system partnerships. Experience with CQC regulated services. Business development or bid experience.

Personal Qualities: Authentic, fair and non-hierarchical. Open, honest and transparent. Emotionally intelligent. Resilient and calm. Curious and committed to learning. Driven by purpose and public value.

Qualifications: Degree-level education or equivalent experience, with evidence of professional development. Leadership or coaching accreditation.

Skills and Competencies: Authentic, inclusive leadership: committed to respecting, valuing and developing people. Ability to genuinely engage and connect with staff and stakeholders: bringing clarity, vision and trust. Credibility and confidence to operate as a system leader, navigating multiple partner agendas and championing primary care. Strategic thinking. Financial and analytical skills. Ability to navigate complex systems; and support others to do so. Conflict management and trust-building. Commitment to equality and inclusion.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.