NHS England is seeking an outstanding system leader to undertake this high-impact Director General for System Development role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive.
This secondment or fixed-term opportunity offers a unique chance to shape the future operating model of the NHS at a critical point of transition. You will lead the national approach to commissioning and contracting, oversee the direct commissioning of specialised services and screening, and build system capability to deliver the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Plan, including neighbourhood health.
Main duties of the job
You will play a central role in the transition of functions as NHS England staff move into DHSC, working closely with Ministers, senior officials and NHS leaders to design and establish an end‑state model for system development that strengthens local autonomy, improves outcomes and delivers efficiency.
The role carries accountability for significant budgets and leadership of a large, multidisciplinary workforce. You will operate at pace in a complex and evolving environment, providing clear leadership, sound judgement and a strong focus on delivery.
This opportunity is ideally suited to an experienced executive leader looking to make a defined, lasting contribution to national system reform – bringing deep expertise in commissioning, contracting and system leadership, and the credibility to influence at the highest levels of government and the NHS.
About us
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms – enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
We lead the NHS in England by:
* Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
* Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
* Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
* Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in‑person.
Job description
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only; agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.
Person Specification
System Leadership and Improvement
* A proven record of leading large, complex health or care systems through measurable improvements in quality, outcomes, productivity or financial performance.
* Demonstrable experience diagnosing system-wide performance issues and personally driving the interventions that delivered sustainable change.
Executive-level leadership with a delivery mandate
* Substantial senior leadership experience at board and executive level where you have successfully led major organisational or system reforms, aligning diverse stakeholders, resolving barriers, and ensuring benefits are realised in fast-moving, complex, and often contested environments.
* Evidence of operating confidently with Ministers, NHS leaders and senior officials to take decisions that directly shape national system performance
Strategic Partnership and System Influence
* Proven ability to influence, align and mobilise senior stakeholders across organisational and professional boundaries to resolve barriers and unlock delivery.
* Strong credibility working across government, the NHS, public health and local systems, with a clear understanding of the political and operational dynamics of national system leadership.
Commissioning, Contracting and Operating Model Expertise
* Deep understanding of health service commissioning and contracting, including experience influencing or designing operating models that strengthen capability and accountability across a national system.
* Experience applying commissioning levers, regulatory tools or market‑shaping approaches to improve outcomes and enable local autonomy.
Proven leadership of high-performing teams during delivery challenges
* A track record of leading teams through ambiguity and operational pressure, building an inclusive, resilient culture that enables people to perform and deliver at pace.
Exceptional judgement and crisis leadership grounded in real delivery experience
* Proven capability to lead incident or emergency responses, or major incidents, applying sound judgement, calm decision-making and integrity to stabilise situations and ensure continuity of critical services.
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