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Job summary

Main area
Leadership; Very Senior Manager; Executive Office
Grade
Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
158-25-432-CEO
Employer
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - The Spine
Town
Liverpool
Salary
Dependant on experience
Closing
15/04/2026 23:59
Interview date
29/04/2026

Employer heading

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust logo

Chief Executive Officer

Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM

In cases where we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to automatically close any vacancies prior to the specified closing date - all vacancies are capped at a sufficient number; you are advised to submit your completed application form as early as possible.

We want our recruitment process to be fair, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. If you need support or a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Recruitment Team - 0151 5565176 or [email protected]. Adjustments may include alternative formats, extra time for assessments, communication support, accessible interview arrangements, interview questions prior to interview or other changes tailored to your needs.

We operate a Values Based Recruitment (VBR) approach when recruiting new colleagues. VBR helps us to attract and select employees whose personal values and behaviours align with the values of the Trust. For more information on our vision, mission and values please see here - Vision, mission and values :: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk)

In cases where we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to automatically close any vacancies prior to the specified closing date; therefore you are advised to submit your completed application form as early as possible.

If you do not receive confirmation that you have been shortlisted for interview, please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.  It is with regret that we are unable to provide feedback to all non-shortlisted candidates.

 

Job overview

Direct recruitment only, no agencies please 

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive with the vision and commitment to ensure we continue to deliver first class cancer services for our patients. This is a pivotal role, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and financial stewardship. You will shape the organisations future, foster a values-led culture, and ensure The Clatterbridge  remains a credible, high-performing partner within the health and care system.

Main duties of the job

The Chief Executive is the Accountable Officer for the organisation and is responsible for overall leadership, strategic direction, operational management, financial sustainability, and regulatory compliance, working closely with the Board to ensure objectives are achieved.

You will be a visible, inclusive and collaborative leader, delivering the mission to drive improved outcomes and experience through our unique network and specialist services across Cheshire, Merseyside and beyond.

This is a highly strategic post which requires strong system leadership skills that can balance the needs of the system while always keeping a clear line of sight on what is best for our patients and our ambition for the future.

If you can demonstrate a commitment to the delivery of excellent cancer services as well as a commitment to meaningful engagement with our valuable workforce we would love to hear from you.  

Working for our organisation

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading cancer centres providing highly specialist cancer care to a population of 2.4m people across Cheshire and Merseyside, and the surrounding areas, including North Wales and the Isle of Man.

Our vision is to not only maintain this level of commitment to excellence but to work with our academic and healthcare partners across the region to ensure care, treatment and patient outcomes continuously improve in the future. We are very proud of all our expert and loyal staff and we welcome people who share the collective aim of delivering excellence in everything that we do.

Our values represent who we are and what we believe in. They define how we act to deliver the best possible care for our patients and shape The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre as a great place to work. 

We are - 

  • Kind

  • Empowered

  • Responsible

  • Inclusive

Vision, mission and values :: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Candidates interested in this critical post should download the Recruitment Pack for further details and how to apply.

Candidates should apply for this role by completing an application form and providing a CV as well as providing a covering letter to [email protected]

Confidential conversations with the Chair, Kathy Doran, are welcome. Please contact [email protected] to arrange. 

Person specification

Skills, abilities and personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Compassionate, authentic and values-driven leader
  • Strategic thinker who can turn vision and ambition into delivery
  • Highly credible communicator with political acumen and emotional intelligence
  • Courageous, resilient and decisive
  • Demonstrable commitment to equality, inclusion and reducing health and racial inequalities
  • Collaborative, curious and open, with a strong sense of accountability
  • Demonstrable understanding and commitment to excellence in cancer services
  • Inspires confidence, ambition and pride in others
  • Meet the requirements NHS England’s Leadership Framework for board members

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant senior leadership within a large, complex health or social care organiszation ideally at CEO level
  • Proven record of improving performance, quality and outcomes at scale
  • Experience of leading organisations through periods of structural evolution, managing complex transitions and organisational change while maintaining operational performance and staff engagement
  • Demonstrated operational grip alongside strategic leadership capability
  • Experience of championing clinical leadership, patient involvement and social justice
  • Evidence of leading high-performing teams and positive organisational cultures
  • Successful partnership leadership across complex systems and diverse communities
  • Experience of delivering transformation, innovation and quality improvement
  • Strong financial leadership and stewardship
  • Deep understanding of national and local health policy and the context for specialist and cancer services within the NHS
  • Strong appreciation of population health, inequalities and community needs
  • Knowledge of effective governance and assurance frameworks
  • Understanding of academic partnerships, research translation and innovation in care

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident employerDisability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kathy Doran
Job title
Chair
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

Candidates interested in this critical post should download the recruitment pack for further details and how to apply.

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