Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Executive Managing Director

The closing date is 08 February 2026

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Job summary

This role represents an exciting opportunity for an inspirational individual to join our Executive Director Team and Group Board of Directors, and to contribute to the achievement of our strategic ambitions. You will make a positive difference to the care we provide at an exciting time for UHL Group.

You will have the opportunity to work with committed and forward-thinking staff and collaborative partners to shape the future of healthcare for the people of Liverpool City Region and our wider footprint.

This post will manage the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Liverpool Women's University Hospital Leadership Team and will be responsible for all elements of care in those hospitals and associated sites.

You will also be a key member of the UHL Group Executive Team and a voting member of the Group Board of Directors in determining the future direction of the whole organisation and their contribution to it.

What you will get from the organisation is passion, community spirit and teamwork. We speak up for what we believe in, have a great sense of humour and take immense pride in our work. These qualities underpin the work of our unitary Board and our shared commitment to deliver outstanding care.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will have recent, relevant, Board-level experience in a large and complex organisation, preferably gained as a member of a unitary board. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, and particularly from individuals with the protected characteristics that are currently underrepresented at this level in our Trust.

We are one of the largest employers in the region, currently employing more than 17,000 colleagues across four hospital sites: Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool Women's University Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, and Liverpool Heart and Chest and Broadgreen Hospitals, alongside a host of community services.

These are large hospitals with significant opportunities and challenges, therefore we are looking for candidates who will already have Executive Director and Board level experience and will ideally be on a career path to a Chief Executive role within the next three years. This role will provide the scope to develop your skills whilst having the support of a successful executive team.

The attached recruitment pack will give you an insight into our vision, our plans for the future, and what makes UHL Group a special place to work.

Interviews to be scheduled for week commencing 16th February 2026

About us

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

287-CEF-20-26

Job locations

Royal Liverpool Hospital

Liverpool

L7 8YE


Job description

Job responsibilities

The full details of the role requirements are set out within the attached recruitment pack.

This role represents an exciting opportunity for an inspirational individual to join our Executive Director Team and Group Board of Directors, and to contribute to the achievement of our strategic ambitions. You will make a positive difference to the care we provide at an exciting time for UHL Group.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The full details of the role requirements are set out within the attached recruitment pack.

This role represents an exciting opportunity for an inspirational individual to join our Executive Director Team and Group Board of Directors, and to contribute to the achievement of our strategic ambitions. You will make a positive difference to the care we provide at an exciting time for UHL Group.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level
  • Master's degree or appropriate postgraduate qualification or significant experience in a similar role
  • Evidence of continuous professional development.
  • Significant experience at Board level in an acute hospital within the NHS

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of chairing Board level committees or groups
  • Experience of managing large budgets and cost savings initiatives effectively
  • Experience of delivering improvements in Quality & Safety within NHS organisations at a senior level .

Skills

Essential

  • Proven diplomatic and persuasive verbal and written communication skills at an executive level
  • Inclusive leadership skills
  • Demonstrate excellent staff management skills
  • Ability to understand and interpret complex analytical information
  • Ability to use Quality Improvement methodology to deliver excellent outcomes

Desirable

  • Ability to use Quality Improvement methodology to deliver excellent outcomes

Other

Essential

  • Strong partnership working ethos
  • Able to relate to people at all levels and build beneficial working relationships with internal staff and the employees from partners and key stakeholders
  • Must be a supportive team player
  • Must be able to work flexibly across any of the Trust's operational sites and travel wherever required on Trust business
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level
  • Master's degree or appropriate postgraduate qualification or significant experience in a similar role
  • Evidence of continuous professional development.
  • Significant experience at Board level in an acute hospital within the NHS

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of chairing Board level committees or groups
  • Experience of managing large budgets and cost savings initiatives effectively
  • Experience of delivering improvements in Quality & Safety within NHS organisations at a senior level .

Skills

Essential

  • Proven diplomatic and persuasive verbal and written communication skills at an executive level
  • Inclusive leadership skills
  • Demonstrate excellent staff management skills
  • Ability to understand and interpret complex analytical information
  • Ability to use Quality Improvement methodology to deliver excellent outcomes

Desirable

  • Ability to use Quality Improvement methodology to deliver excellent outcomes

Other

Essential

  • Strong partnership working ethos
  • Able to relate to people at all levels and build beneficial working relationships with internal staff and the employees from partners and key stakeholders
  • Must be a supportive team player
  • Must be able to work flexibly across any of the Trust's operational sites and travel wherever required on Trust business

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Liverpool Hospital

Liverpool

L7 8YE


Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Liverpool Hospital

Liverpool

L7 8YE


Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Executive Assistant to James Sumner, CEO

Sarah Lawrenson

sarah.lawrenson@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

01517065460

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

287-CEF-20-26

Job locations

Royal Liverpool Hospital

Liverpool

L7 8YE


Supporting documents

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