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(**) Non-Executive Director
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs
Posted 2 day(s) ago
Reference: 2456033
Job summary
As members of a unitary Board, Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) share a collective duty to promote the success of the organisation and maximise benefits for patients and the wider public.The Board is collectively accountable for the performance of the NHS Foundation Trust. NEDs provide constructive challenge and scrutiny of the Trust's performance against its agreed goals and objectives. They must assure themselves of the integrity of financial, clinical and other information and seek assurance that effective systems of governance and risk management are in place and operating effectively.
NEDs play a vital role in bringing an independent perspective to Board discussions, alongside the specific knowledge, skills and experience they contribute.
NEDs are also expected to uphold the highest standards of probity and integrity, act in accordance with the Trust's values, and foster positive and effective working relationships within the Boardroom.
Interviews to be held in February 2027
Main duties of the job
As a Non-Executive Director, you will:
To assist the Board of Directors in setting the strategic direction of the organisation, whilst considering the views of the Council of Governors.
Together with the Board of Directors, hold the Executive Team to account for the delivery of the agreed strategic objectives and Trust's annual plan.
To provide constructive, considered and appropriate challenge to the Board of Directors on areas where improvements are needed or assurance is lacking.
To ensure that the Trust places patient safety at the heart of its work and that mechanisms are in place to ensure staff are able to speak up.
To ensure that the Trust manages risk effectively.
To provide advice and guidance to the Trust on issues relevant to the NED's own skills, expertise and experience.
Together with the Board of Directors, work with local communities and collaborate with partner organisations to address health inequalities and ensure that the Trust provides the best possible care for local communities.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of duties.
About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust
Details
Date posted
28 October 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£15,000 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
3 years
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
390-NR-COR-SO-5808
Job locations
MSE
Southend
SS2 6GE
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Non-Executive Director, you will help shape the Trusts strategic direction while providing independent oversight and constructive challenge to the Executive Team. The role is responsible for ensuring strong governance, effective risk management, high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and a culture that prioritises patient safety, staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
You will support the Board in driving transformation and continuous improvement, ensuring services are informed by population need, patient and staff insight, clinical evidence, and sustainable use of resources. The role also champions research, innovation, community engagement and co-production, helping to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for patients and local communities.
NEDs work closely with the Council of Governors, support senior appointments, participate in Board and committee evaluations, undertake service visits, and provide advice based on their professional expertise. The position requires a minimum commitment of 3-4 days per month, participation in ongoing development activities, and compliance with the Fit and Proper Persons Test and conflict of interest requirements.
We look forward to your application!
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Non-Executive Director, you will help shape the Trusts strategic direction while providing independent oversight and constructive challenge to the Executive Team. The role is responsible for ensuring strong governance, effective risk management, high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and a culture that prioritises patient safety, staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
You will support the Board in driving transformation and continuous improvement, ensuring services are informed by population need, patient and staff insight, clinical evidence, and sustainable use of resources. The role also champions research, innovation, community engagement and co-production, helping to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for patients and local communities.
NEDs work closely with the Council of Governors, support senior appointments, participate in Board and committee evaluations, undertake service visits, and provide advice based on their professional expertise. The position requires a minimum commitment of 3-4 days per month, participation in ongoing development activities, and compliance with the Fit and Proper Persons Test and conflict of interest requirements.
We look forward to your application!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience.
- Demonstrable research literacy, with the ability to critically evaluate and apply evidence, data and improvement methodologies to improve services and outcomes.
Desirable
- A recognised clinical qualification or equivalent senior professional credibility in healthcare quality, patient safety, improvement or transformation.
Experience
Essential
- Senior or Board-level experience in a large, complex and regulated organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of leading or delivering transformation and sustained improvement within a large and complex organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of using co-production or community-led approaches to shape strategy, service redesign, research or improvement.
- Experience of engaging effectively with diverse and underrepresented communities.
- Experience of scrutinising performance, risk and assurance information, providing independent challenge and influencing complex strategic decisions.
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience,
- A current or previous senior academic appointment.
- Lived and/or personal experience of being a carer or a service user.
- Experience of leading community engagement projects to tackle health inequalities.
- Previous Non-Executive Director experience.
- Academic, research or clinical education leadership experience.
Knowledge and understanding
Essential
- Regulatory environment, including the roles of CQC, NHS England, and the commissioning and provider landscapes.
- Governance, risk and assurance frameworks.
- NHS context and challenges.
- Political awareness and system understanding.
- Legal duties of Boards, NEDs and the Council of Governors.
Skills and attributes
Essential
- Strong leadership and influencing skills.
- Strong ability to analyse complex clinical, operational, and financial data.
- Ability to interrogate clinical quality and safety information and distinguish assurance from reassurance.
- Sound judgement and diplomacy.
- Commitment to patient care and staff engagement.
- Champion of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Champion of an open and transparent culture focusing on continuous learning and improvement.
- Personal integrity aligned with Nolan principles.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience.
- Demonstrable research literacy, with the ability to critically evaluate and apply evidence, data and improvement methodologies to improve services and outcomes.
Desirable
- A recognised clinical qualification or equivalent senior professional credibility in healthcare quality, patient safety, improvement or transformation.
Experience
Essential
- Senior or Board-level experience in a large, complex and regulated organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of leading or delivering transformation and sustained improvement within a large and complex organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of using co-production or community-led approaches to shape strategy, service redesign, research or improvement.
- Experience of engaging effectively with diverse and underrepresented communities.
- Experience of scrutinising performance, risk and assurance information, providing independent challenge and influencing complex strategic decisions.
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience,
- A current or previous senior academic appointment.
- Lived and/or personal experience of being a carer or a service user.
- Experience of leading community engagement projects to tackle health inequalities.
- Previous Non-Executive Director experience.
- Academic, research or clinical education leadership experience.
Knowledge and understanding
Essential
- Regulatory environment, including the roles of CQC, NHS England, and the commissioning and provider landscapes.
- Governance, risk and assurance frameworks.
- NHS context and challenges.
- Political awareness and system understanding.
- Legal duties of Boards, NEDs and the Council of Governors.
Skills and attributes
Essential
- Strong leadership and influencing skills.
- Strong ability to analyse complex clinical, operational, and financial data.
- Ability to interrogate clinical quality and safety information and distinguish assurance from reassurance.
- Sound judgement and diplomacy.
- Commitment to patient care and staff engagement.
- Champion of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Champion of an open and transparent culture focusing on continuous learning and improvement.
- Personal integrity aligned with Nolan principles.
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 details
Employer name
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address
MSE
Southend
SS2 6GE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address
MSE
Southend
SS2 6GE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)