Chief Executive Officer, Somerset General Practice Support Unit (GPSU)
We are seekingan exceptional Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership,operational oversight, and visionary direction for our newly establishedorganisation. Reporting to the Board,you will drive organisational growth, strengthen partnerships, and ensure effectivegovernance and compliance with statutory requirements.
Main duties of the job
* Lead the organisation's strategic planning and delivery of a range of high-quality services working in partnership with other health and care providers and the voluntary sector.
* Build strong relationships with member practices, PCNs, system partners and stakeholders
* Ensure robust governance, compliance, and financial sustainability.
* Champion innovation and ensure the organisation is well positioned to embrace the challenges of operating in the constantly changing healthcare environment and ready to respond rapidly and flexibly to new business opportunities.
* Ensure that delivery of the strategy provides good value for money, a high level of probity, and is undertaken in a way that respects the ethos of primary care in Somerset.
About us
The GP Support Unit (GPSU) exists to champion, support, and amplify general practice in Somerset. Acting as an extension of the practice team, we help GPs and primary care professionals navigate challenges, embrace innovation, and thrive. Through collaboration, shared expertise, and hands-on support, we deliver high-quality services that reduce burden, unlock system value, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Trusted by practices and recognised across the Somerset system, the GPSU is here to make general practice stronger now and into the future.
Job responsibilities
Job Title
Chief Executive Officer
Reports to
Accountable to
Board of Directors
Competitive, depending on skills and experience
Hours
30 hours per week
About us
The GP Support Unit (GPSU) exists to champion, support, and amplify general practice in Somerset. Acting as an extension of the practice team, we help GPs and primary care professionals navigate challenges, embrace innovation, and thrive. Through collaboration, shared expertise, and hands‑on support, we deliver high-quality services that reduce burden, unlock system value, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Trusted by practices and recognised across the Somerset system, the GPSU is here to make general practice stronger - now and into the future.
Job Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has executive responsibility for leading the creation, development and operation of the newly formed GPSU organisation. They are the accountable officer, responsible for developing and delivering strategies that ensure the organisation meets the goals determined by the Board of Directors.
The CEO provides dynamic leadership and senior direction to the Board and team to establish GPSU as a trusted partner with practices, PCNs and system partners.
The CEO is accountable for ensuring the organisation delivers a range of high‑quality services working in partnership with other health and care providers and the voluntary sector. They will maintain strong relationships with our members ensuring that we are effectively supporting and strengthening them. They will be a strong and influential voice for General Practice in our Integrated Care System.
This role will also ensure that the organisation is well positioned to embrace the challenges of operating in the constantly changing healthcare environment and ready to respond rapidly and flexibly to new business opportunities.
As well as delivering the GPSU’s vision and strategy, the CEO nurtures collaborative and effective partnership relationships, and develops mechanisms to enable the GPSU to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
The CEO will ensure that delivery of the strategy provides good value for money, a high level of probity, and is undertaken in a way that respects the ethos of primary care in Somerset.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic direction
* Develop an innovative vision, strategy and financial plan for the next phase of the GPSU which delivers value to practices, PCNs, shareholders, employees and system partners
* Ensure that all approaches to commercial and business development are both in line with the vision as well as innovative and deliver growth for the business
* Work alongside the board to champion the needs and perspective of general practice within the Somerset health and care system
* Ensure that the GPSU becomes and remains a high performing organisation with a strong reputation across the system
* Identify opportunities to enhance existing services and exploit opportunities to introduce new and improved patient pathways consistent with the strategic direction
* Design and develop a sustainable delivery capability to implement the strategy, including resourcing and infrastructure.
* Propose and implement an oversight mechanism that enables the organisation to monitor its progress towards its strategy while meeting compliance requirements.
* Identify and manage risks and opportunities, working with the Board to agree appropriate mitigation of risks and responses to opportunities.
Leadership
* Provide strong, coherent leadership that enhances a compassionate and enabling culture and enables a track record of success
* Demonstrate visible, ethical personal leadership by modelling the highest standards of personal behaviour to ensure that shareholders and stakeholders trust the organisational integrity
* Be a credible voice for the organisation with the local, regional and national network of provider CEOs
* Provide vision, direction and leadership to enable the organisation to achieve its strategic goals and objectives, ensuring that there is a balance between the business aspirations of the company and on‑going delivery of value to practices
* Lead the executive directors and senior management team in the day‑to‑day running of the business
* Ensure the organisation has an effective organisational strategy and that all staff are developed and empowered to do their roles
* Enable innovation and creativity to develop new areas of work across the healthcare system that have a positive impact on patients
Service Delivery & Service Development
* Ensure that all contracts held by the GPSU are delivered to a high standard, and that all practices within the GPSU area are engaged, empowered and supported.
* Ensure that patient safety, clinical outcomes and patient experience are maintained and improved in relation to all contracts commissioned through the GPSU.
* Ensure that effective reporting arrangements are in place to track progress against plans and to raise issues and risks as appropriate.
* Ensure that effective performance measurement and monitoring arrangements are in place to demonstrate practice performance in relation to all services commissioned through the Federation.
Representation
* Ensure that effective communication is maintained between the GPSU and all member GP practices and that effective systems and processes are in place so that the organisation is aware of the views, suggestions, and concerns of local practices in relation to key issues and plans.
* Be a key representative of the company communicating with shareholders, the general public and wider stakeholders on the vision and direction of the organisation.
* Build connections with key stakeholders which encourage collaboration, innovation and partnership and integration opportunities which deliver better care for local people.
* Ensure strategic management of external relationships with local, regional and other partners seeking to create strong alliances, strategies for influencing and embedding integrated working.
* Be an ambassador for our population and General Practice in Somerset, actively promoting dialogue and involvement with patients and the public.
* Represent the interests of the GPSU and the practices that are its members in the local, regional and, where appropriate, national content.
Compliance
* Ensure that the organisation and Board operate within its constitution and in line with its legal and financial duties and responsibilities
* Develop a scheme of delegation that clarifies Board decisions vs CEO decision making remit
* Develop and, following Board ratification as appropriate, implement appropriate policies and procedures covering all aspects of the business operations. Ensure that all policies are followed and conform to the highest standards
* Ensure the effective implementation of Board decisions
* Ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place and that all statutory and corporate duties are discharged
* Ensure effective mechanisms are in place to implement systems and monitor organisational learning and incidents from issues arising within the organisation and partners
* Undertake the role of Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) for the organisation.
General responsibilities
* Promote the highest standards of integrity, probity and governance throughout the organisation
* Work in collaboration with partner organisations without compromising the needs and best interests of general practice in Somerset
* Develop and maintain strong and effective relationships across the system.
* Ensure that the organisation discharges its obligations to shareholders, complies with the obligations of the Companies Act, its contractual requirements and those of healthcare regulators
* Act as a registered Director at Companies House and full voting member of the Board responsible for managing the organisation and its performance.
* Ensure that the GPSU follows best practice in managing and supporting its staff to include ensuring safe recruitment, employee development, performance management, clear communications and the development of a positive work environment.
Flexibility
This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post-holder will need to be flexible in developing the role and in ongoing discussions with the Joint Chairs
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Educated to postgraduate level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior leadership experience
* Evidence of continuous professional development
* Masters/Post Graduate qualification in leadership or management related subject
Experience
* Significant experience at Board level in a senior leadership role (CEO or equivalent).
* Experience of managing organisational growth and complexity
* Significant and demonstrable Board level experience in a complex health care environment
* Demonstrable experience of working with general practice
* Experience of working at a CEO/Director level outside of Somerset
* Experience at CEO level of establishing, growing and developing a start‑up organisation
* A track record of successfully leading a third sector organisation
Personal Qualities
* Evidence of alignment to the vision and values of the GPSU
* Ability to inspire the vision within a context of change and uncertainty
* Self‑motivated and proactive with the drive to deliver continuous business growth and potential
* Ability to collaborate in order to bring real innovation to situations
* Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic working environment
Knowledge and Skills
* A sound understanding of the key issues facing general practice and how these can be addressed
* Experience of working at senior level with general practice
* Strong commercial acumen with an ability to develop and grow services in a dynamic health care environment
* Ability to strategically influence CEOs within the system and provide a credible voice for General Practice
* Entrepreneurial skills with the vision, belief and energy to build a business from start up
* Effective leadership skills with the ability to build an effective senior team to deliver a transformational organisational strategy
* Strategic thinker with the ability to think and plan ahead, to develop a clear vision alongside well‑developed strategy formulation skills
* Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to establish and develop effective relationships with key stakeholders
* Ability to identify key influencers and create strategies that involve these people in shaping and delivering change and support to the GPSU
* Ability to assimilate complex information, use data and evidence to drive improvements and make decisions in a fast‑moving environment
* Evidence of well‑developed and effective networks in Somerset within the health and social care sector or ability to build effective networks quickly
Other requirements
* Right to work in the UK
* Flexible to attend in‑person meetings/events across Somerset
* Ability to travel across the county using own or public transport
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.
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