Senior Head of Clinical Strategy & System Coordination in Bradford

This is a unique and influential leadership opportunity within the Clinical and Professional Directorate, supporting the Medical Director and Director of Nursing to deliver the priorities of NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. The role sits at the heart of the Directorate, providing strategic advice, coordination and leadership across a diverse portfolio.

As the senior lead for clinical strategy and system coordination, you will oversee key areas including clinical and professional leadership, Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, the System Coordination Centre, health protection, and emerging priorities commissioned by the Directorate's executive leadership. As a trusted go-to leader, you will connect people, teams and priorities, ensuring alignment across medical, nursing and professional portfolios, resolving complex issues and providing assurance on delivery.

We are looking for an exceptional relationship-builder with strong strategic, operational and programme management skills. Politically astute, organised and resilient, you will be confident working with senior leaders and motivated by the opportunity to shape system-wide improvement and make a meaningful difference for people and communities across West Yorkshire.

Main duties of the job:

• Help the Clinical and Professional Directorate deliver strategic priorities across West Yorkshire.
• Work with the Medical Director, Director of Nursing and senior clinical leaders to lead, coordinate and oversee a varied portfolio.
• Bring together colleagues across the Directorate, wider ICB, providers, local authorities and partner agencies to align priorities, identify risks early and keep delivery on track.
• Lead major work areas, respond to emerging issues, support executive decisions and coordinate teams and professional groups.
• Act as a trusted adviser and first contact for complex enquiries, helping colleagues navigate the organisation, find solutions and connect with the right people.
• Oversee multiple workstreams, assure progress and outcomes, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

This visible role requires sound judgement, strong relationship-building skills and confidence working with senior leaders across organisational boundaries. It offers the opportunity to influence key clinical, professional and operational priorities across West Yorkshire's health and care system.

About us:

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the statutory NHS organisation responsible for planning and funding health services across Bradford District & Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. As part of our organisational reconfiguration, we've strengthened how we listen to people, respond to concerns and ensure their experiences shape the services we commission.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• In-depth experience acquired over a significant period in system oversight, setting priority outcomes and system partnership working.
• Significant experience of leading and managing change.
• Significant experience working at management level in a large organisation.
• Significant demonstrable experience applying project and programme management techniques.
• Demonstrable experience of managing teams of staff and leaders working to a common goal.
• A track record in delivering improvements for patients or the wider public.

Desirable:

• Clinical background.
• Membership of a relevant clinical or professional body.
• Additional specialist knowledge and experience of leading and managing an Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) programme in a complex organisation.
• Experience of leading Health Protection, Vaccination and Screening, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Tuberculosis (TB) or Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) initiatives or programmes.
• Experience of training and delivery of exercises.

Attributes:

• Previously responsible for a budget and involved in budget setting, with a working knowledge of financial processes.
• Independently mobile and able to travel across West Yorkshire and wider areas when required.
• High level of emotional intelligence.
• Highly resilient with the ability to cope under pressure.
• Collaborator committed to open collegiate relationships and corporate effectiveness.
• Integrity and ability to engender trust and respect from colleagues at all levels.
• Leads by example and demonstrates system leadership in action.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Excellent understanding of clinical and corporate governance.
• Understanding of the Integrated Care System reform agenda and associated legislation.
• Excellent understanding of health and care and an appreciation of the broad social, political and economic trends influencing services.
• Knowledge of the NHS agenda, national priorities, challenges and reform agenda.

Qualifications:

• Educated to Master's degree level or equivalent education and/or equivalent experience.

Skills and competences:

• Ability to understand and analyse highly complex issues and data and use this information to make difficult decisions.
• Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information and negotiate effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Skills for delivering results through managing others and through influence where direct line management responsibility does not exist.
• Skills for managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively develop networks and alliances, building and maintaining relationships through collaborative working.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures affecting several organisations within a partnership.