County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Care Group Director

The closing date is 29 October 2025

Job summary

Please see Job Description for full details

contact details -Lorraine Nelson

Executive Director of Operations

Direct Dial: 01325 743572

Email: lorraine.nelson@nhs.net

orJeremy Cundall

Consultant General Surgeon

Executive Medical Director & Deputy Chief Executive

Tel: 01325 743620

j.cundall@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

Please see Job Description for full details

This is a key role heading up one of the Care Groups within the Trust. The postholder holds a key position within the senior management structure of the Trust, and in conjunction with the Associate Director of Operations and the Care Groups Associate Director of Nursing, is responsible for the leadership, management and delivery of the Care Group.

The Care Group Director is accountable for the planning and delivery of the range, quality and volume of services comprising the portfolio of the Care Group within the governance, performance and planning framework set by the Trust Executive Team and agreed by the Trust Board.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details

Date posted

20 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Pay - negotiable depending on staff group

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Reference number

C9439-25-0201

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Care Group Director is effectively the Accountable Officer for the Care Group, responsible for the quality, safely, probity and processes within the Care Group and is the line manager of the Care Groups Associate Director of Operations.

The Care Group Director is additionally corporately and individually responsible for delivering the Trusts Values and Behaviours, strategic direction and business objective.

The Care Group Director is a senior and key clinical leader in the organisation and is expected to ensure that they, their teams and their staff deliver all strategic, tactical and operational requirements and targets safely and to timescale, quality and within the c£80M Care Group budget.

As a member of the Trusts Executive and Clinical Leadership Committee, the Care Group Director holds corporate responsibilities for the Trusts success.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Care Group Director is effectively the Accountable Officer for the Care Group, responsible for the quality, safely, probity and processes within the Care Group and is the line manager of the Care Groups Associate Director of Operations.

The Care Group Director is additionally corporately and individually responsible for delivering the Trusts Values and Behaviours, strategic direction and business objective.

The Care Group Director is a senior and key clinical leader in the organisation and is expected to ensure that they, their teams and their staff deliver all strategic, tactical and operational requirements and targets safely and to timescale, quality and within the c£80M Care Group budget.

As a member of the Trusts Executive and Clinical Leadership Committee, the Care Group Director holds corporate responsibilities for the Trusts success.

Person Specification

Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • To commit to delivering the actions in the Trusts Behaviours Framework
  • Working together for patients
  • Respect and Dignity
  • Commitment to quality of care
  • Compassion
  • Improving lives
  • Everyone counts.
  • Cs of Care is able to show knowledge and understanding of promoting care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment within their role

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • Current Registration with a clinical professional body

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently across Trust sites and attend meetings nationwide

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to communicate at all levels
  • Possess credibility and able to gain respect from others
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Ability to negotiate and influence
  • Ability to lead, manage and promote change
  • Ability to performance manage and hold others to account
  • Ability to think strategically
  • Team player with a can do attitude
  • Vigilance and honesty
  • Personal integrity
  • Loyalty to team and organisation
  • Individual credibility
  • Drive, energy and enthusiasm
  • Tough minded in regard to strength of character

Experience

Essential

  • A working knowledge of NHS national policy
  • An understanding of people management and leadership concepts
  • Strong reputation and credibility
  • Be able to demonstrate skill to an exceptional level in:
  • - Leadership,
  • - Interpersonal relationships,
  • - Communication and influencing,
  • - Problem solving,
  • - The management and leadership of staff and teams,
  • - Management of resources, projects change and continuous development,
  • - Strategic and year on year planning,
  • - Present material and influence key people
  • Be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  • - Think strategically and translate plans into operational practice
  • - Analyse information/problems logically and methodically
  • - Work under pressure
  • - Deliver objectives to timetable
  • - Significant successful senior management experience or clinical leadership experience including evidence of achievements
  • - Proven experience of successfully managing resources at a senior level including people, finance and resources
  • - Demonstrate experience in managing significant budgets

Desirable

  • Proven ability to manage systems in a complex NHS/hospital and community service environment
  • Good understanding of business management theory and practice
  • Experience in managing and delivering projects across a wide economy of partner
  • Demonstrable record of major organisational change management

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional clinical registration or qualification
  • Masters level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Evidence of management and leadership development

Desirable

  • Post graduate qualification in a relevant management or associated topic
Person Specification

Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • To commit to delivering the actions in the Trusts Behaviours Framework
  • Working together for patients
  • Respect and Dignity
  • Commitment to quality of care
  • Compassion
  • Improving lives
  • Everyone counts.
  • Cs of Care is able to show knowledge and understanding of promoting care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment within their role

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • Current Registration with a clinical professional body

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently across Trust sites and attend meetings nationwide

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to communicate at all levels
  • Possess credibility and able to gain respect from others
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Ability to negotiate and influence
  • Ability to lead, manage and promote change
  • Ability to performance manage and hold others to account
  • Ability to think strategically
  • Team player with a can do attitude
  • Vigilance and honesty
  • Personal integrity
  • Loyalty to team and organisation
  • Individual credibility
  • Drive, energy and enthusiasm
  • Tough minded in regard to strength of character

Experience

Essential

  • A working knowledge of NHS national policy
  • An understanding of people management and leadership concepts
  • Strong reputation and credibility
  • Be able to demonstrate skill to an exceptional level in:
  • - Leadership,
  • - Interpersonal relationships,
  • - Communication and influencing,
  • - Problem solving,
  • - The management and leadership of staff and teams,
  • - Management of resources, projects change and continuous development,
  • - Strategic and year on year planning,
  • - Present material and influence key people
  • Be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  • - Think strategically and translate plans into operational practice
  • - Analyse information/problems logically and methodically
  • - Work under pressure
  • - Deliver objectives to timetable
  • - Significant successful senior management experience or clinical leadership experience including evidence of achievements
  • - Proven experience of successfully managing resources at a senior level including people, finance and resources
  • - Demonstrate experience in managing significant budgets

Desirable

  • Proven ability to manage systems in a complex NHS/hospital and community service environment
  • Good understanding of business management theory and practice
  • Experience in managing and delivering projects across a wide economy of partner
  • Demonstrable record of major organisational change management

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional clinical registration or qualification
  • Masters level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Evidence of management and leadership development

Desirable

  • Post graduate qualification in a relevant management or associated topic

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Executive Director of Operations

Lorraine Nelson

Lorraine.nelson@nhs.net

01325743572

Details

Date posted

20 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Pay - negotiable depending on staff group

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Reference number

C9439-25-0201

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)