Non Executive Director

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust Non Executive Director

The closing date is 07 November 2025

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Non-Executive Director to join our Board of Directors. Ideally you will have served on the Board of a Foundation Trust and, as a Non-Executive Director, you will contribute to the provision of strategic leadership, good governance and risk management. As an experienced Board-level leader you will offer challenge, support, and robust scrutiny. You will be an inspirational, collaborative and values-based leader. Our current Board has a diverse set of skills and backgrounds so we are looking for people who will complement and build on our talents; ideally you will have legal experience.

Main duties of the job

You will need to be able to demonstrate that you can use your experience to:

• work alongside other Executive and Non-Executive members as an equal member of the Board;
• bring independence, external perspectives, skills and challenge to strategy development;
• hold the executive to account by providing purposeful, constructive scrutiny and challenge;
• act as an ambassador for the Trust;
• shape and actively support a healthy culture for the Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to enhance and diversify the capabilities of our Board and to make a positive difference at an exciting time for the Trust.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a member of one of the public constituencies of the Trust (South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead or the Rest of the North East and Cumbria) and be able to commit sufficient time to meet the demands of the post. Flexibility in terms of time commitment during the day and sometimes into the evening may be required.

As a senior NHS leader within the organisation, you must be able to demonstrate you meet the NHS Leadership Competency Framework for Board members.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture/working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits – Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

As a Non-Executive the post holder will contribute to the monitoring of strategy, performance, governance and risk.

We operate as a unitary Board. Non-Executive Directors share responsibility with other Executive Directors for the success of the organisation and ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare services, compliance with the NHS Provider Licence, Constitution, mandatory guidance and good governance issued by our Regulators and any relevant statutory requirements and contractual obligations.

The role of the Board of Directors is to provide effective and proactive leadership of the Trust within a governance framework of processes, procedures and controls which enable risk to be managed.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification Skills and Knowledge

• Genuine interest in healthcare issues and a commitment and connection to the needs of the local community.
• An ability to achieve a balance between supportive and robust, constructive challenge.
• A strong understanding of the importance of exercising independent judgement.
• Integrity and high ethical standards.
• Politically astute, able to grasp relevant issues and understand complex relationships between different individuals and organisations.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, public service values and accountability, probity, openness and equality or opportunity.
• Strong business acumen and a sound knowledge of good corporate governance, strategic planning, risk, financial control and performance management.
• Excellent communication and listening skills and an ability to relate to and understand a range of health care professionals, representatives of local government, voluntary organisations and members of the public.

Experience

• Board level experience of working in a large and complex organisation, ideally the NHS or within a legal, financial or IT profession.
• Experience of building effective and lasting working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong personal commitment to the values of the NHS and experience in the health sector would be desirable.

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.

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

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