Director of Access – Acute Services

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is the largest health board in Scotland, delivering vital health services to a population of 1.3 million people across six local authority areas. With an annual budget of £4.5 billion and more than 40,000 dedicated staff, we provide a full spectrum of acute, primary, community, mental health, and tertiary services.

The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to join our Acute Services team as Director of Access- Acute Services. This is a pivotal and high-profile role, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformational change and shape the future of patient access and care delivery across the health board. You will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to deliver national and local Access and Waiting Times targets, ensuring high-quality, safe, and efficient patient care remains at the forefront of operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and champion the Patient Access agenda, developing and delivering long-term strategies aligned to national objectives.
• Implement key initiatives, including the Recovery Plan and Scheduled Care Capacity Plan, to ensure national targets are consistently met.
• Establish robust governance frameworks and performance monitoring systems, providing clear assurance to senior stakeholders.
• Represent NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in national forums, acting as the key liaison with the Scottish Government’s National Access Team.
• Collaborate across acute, multidisciplinary teams and other services to enhance outcomes, optimise capacity, and drive service improvement.

About You

We are looking for a confident and visionary leader, with substantial experience operating at a senior management or Board level within the NHS or Health and Social Care sector, ideally within a large, complex organisation. You will bring:

• Demonstrable success in leading access and recovery strategies with a deep understanding of the Patient Access agenda.
• A strong record of inspirational leadership, with the ability to engage and influence teams to achieve improved performance and patient outcomes.
• High-level political awareness, resilience, and the capability to manage multiple priorities across a complex operating landscape.
• A degree-level qualification is essential, with a Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification desirable.

Why Join Us?

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact in Scotland’s largest health board. As Director of Access, you will play a key role in improving the patient experience, leading innovation, and ensuring service sustainability for the future. If you are an ambitious, solutions-focused leader with the energy and insight to lead transformative change, we want to hear from you.

Informal Contact

For further information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact: William Edwards, Chief Operating Officer, Telephone: 0141 201 4616, Email:

Right to Work and Employment Conditions

All candidates must pass a Right to Work in the UK check. Candidates must submit authentic responses to all application questions without AI or automated assistance.