Job summary
This is a full time post.
Are you an experienced, credible and values driven senior leader with expertise in governance, risk and system partnership working? Are you ready to operate at the heart of a complex NHS organisation and influence at scale?
We are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff to work alongside our Chief Executive, providing strategic leadership, organisational grip and coordination across our most critical priorities.
This is a pivotal, high profile role operating at Board and system level, with a unique opportunity to shape how the Trust delivers its strategy, strengthens governance and plays a leading role within the wider health and care system.
Please note the Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to work for this role, to apply you must have current right to work in the UK status. Employment on a time limited visa doesnt guarantee sponsorship at point of expiry.
Main duties of the job
As Chief of Staff, you will be a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive, bringing clarity to complex issues, enabling informed decisions and maintaining focus on strategic priorities.
You will strengthen governance and assurance, ensuring Board processes, risk management and reporting support high-quality decision making and accountability.
Working across organisational and system boundaries, you will build credible relationships with partners, supporting integrated care and system transformation. An early priority is leading the Trusts strategic positioning in neighbourhood health, shaping our role and influencing emerging care models within place-based delivery.
This role offers a rare opportunity to operate at the centre of the Trust, influencing at Board and system level. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Executive team, you will shape priorities, drive alignment and deliver lasting improvement.
About us
At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.
We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.
What we offer;
- 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
- Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
- Flexible and agile working opportunities
- Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
- Wide range of supportive staff networks
- Health and wellbeing opportunities
If you would like to know more, please visit our website.
We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.
Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.
Details
- Date posted: 17 June 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8d
- Salary: £94,356 to £108,814 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: C9798-2374
- Job locations: 2 Kings Court, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1JR, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
You will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within a complex health or public sector environment
- Strong expertise in policy, governance, risk and organisational assurance
- A proven ability to operate with credibility at Board level, building trusted relationships with senior leaders and partners
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries, with a strong track record in system partnership working
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and bring clarity and focus
- A proactive, resilient and highly organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver at pace
Most importantly, you will be a collaborative and valuesdriven leader, motivated to make a difference for the communities we serve.
For full details of the duties and criteria please refer to the job description and person specification attached.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Strong understanding of governance, risk and assurance frameworks
- Knowledge of working across organisational boundaries
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience in the NHS or a similarly complex environment
- Strong expertise in governance, risk management and Board-level working
- Demonstrable experience operating credibly at Board and system level
- Exceptional judgement, discretion and emotional intelligence
- Highly developed communication, influencing and relationship-building skills
Desirable
- Experience of system partnership working (ICS/place-based care)
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters or equivalent relevant experience gained from an alternative route
- Significant experience of governance and risk management
- I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.
Desirable
- Evidence of continued professional development at senior level
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Highly developed communication, influencing and negotiation skills
- Ability to analyse complex information and provide strategic advice
- Ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ability to meet the travel requirements for this role.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High level of discretion and professionalism
- Ability to work at pace and manage competing priorities
- I understand the Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to work for this role, and employment on a time limited visa doesnt guarantee sponsorship at point of expiry.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Chief of Staff (Governance, Risk and Partnerships) with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust in Worcester, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Band 8 role. The advertised salary is £94,356 to £108,814 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (17 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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