PCN Strategic and Operations Lead in Colne

The PCN Strategic and Operational Lead will provide senior leadership across strategy development, governance, assurance, performance, and system engagement for the PCN Limited Company. The role will support the Clinical Director in translating clinical priorities and national policy into clear strategic plans, robust governance arrangements, and effective oversight of delivery. The post holder will lead on corporate governance, statutory compliance, performance assurance, and preparation for CQC registration, ensuring the PCN meets its contractual, regulatory, and organisational responsibilities. The role will work in close partnership with the Directors and the PCN Clinical Leads providing strategic direction to the PCN's operational support function, without holding direct line management responsibility.

Main duties of the job

• Strategic Leadership and PCN Development
• Corporate Governance and Statutory Compliance
• Performance Management and Contractual Assurance
• Financial Oversight and Assurance
• Workforce and ARRS Strategic Oversight
• Care Quality Commission (CQC) Preparation and Registration
• System Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
• Oversight of Operational Support

About us

We are excited to be recruiting a PCN Strategic and Operations Lead to be part of Pendle East Primary Care Network (PCN), which is a collaboration of 5 GP Practices within the Lancashire/Yorkshire border who collectively care for over 47,500 patients. The PCN member practices are located at 4 sites: 2 GP Practices within a large modern purpose-built building and 3 GP Practices a short drive away. The PCN is determined to meet the challenges of modern primary care by working innovatively and growing our multi-disciplinary team to provide a holistic approach to our patient population. The PCN team already includes; Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health & Wellbeing Coaches, Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Paramedics, Mental Health Practitioners and Care Coordinators.

Job responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and PCN Development
• Corporate Governance and Statutory Compliance
• Performance Management and Contractual Assurance
• Financial Oversight and Assurance
• Workforce and ARRS Strategic Oversight
• Care Quality Commission CQC Preparation and Registration
• System Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement
• Oversight of Operational Support

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience working in a senior or strategic role within primary care, PCN, or wider NHS environment
• Experience supporting or leading governance and assurance arrangements within a complex organisation
• Experience overseeing performance against contractual, regulatory, or organisational requirements
• Experience working with senior clinicians, Boards, or multi-practice stakeholders
• Experience coordinating work across multiple organisations or partners
• Experience working within a PCN Limited Company
• Experience supporting Board or Director-level decision-making
• Experience supporting regulatory or compliance preparation within a healthcare setting

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to provide strategic leadership and translate strategy into clear plans and oversight
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance, financial, and workforce data
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to work autonomously and take ownership of complex areas of responsibility
• Experience preparing or coordinating assurance reports for Boards or senior leadership
• Experience working at system or place-based level within the NHS

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of PCN DES requirements and the wider primary care landscape
• Knowledge of NHS governance and assurance frameworks
• Knowledge of limited company governance and statutory compliance requirements
• Understanding of performance management and risk management within healthcare
• Knowledge of ARRS funding and workforce governance
• Knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and inspection frameworks

Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic and delivery-focused
• Able to operate with calm authority, particularly in periods of transition, change, or uncertainty
• Able to exercise sound professional judgement in complex, ambiguous environments and to escalate appropriately where decisions have strategic, financial, or reputational impact
• Comfortable operating within defined authority boundaries
• Keen interest in the organisational direction and governance
• Able to manage competing priorities without destabilising teams
• Politically astute, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments while maintaining organisational integrity and independence
• Exposure to bid preparation, business cases or tender support
• Understanding of PCN financial flows and funding mechanisms

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience in a relevant field e.g. healthcare management, business, public sector leadership
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to the role

Other Requirements

• Care Quality Commission CQC Registration and Compliance
• Understanding of CQC regulatory requirements relevant to primary care and PCN-delivered services
• Awareness of CQC registration responsibilities and the preparation required for compliance
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple sites and organisations as required
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Understanding of confidentiality, information governance, and data protection principles
• Experience supporting CQC registration, inspection readiness, or regulatory assurance activity

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.