Job summary
More than just a healthcare provider.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation
Trust (CDDFT) is one of the UKs largest integrated care providers, serving a
population of over 650,000 people across County Durham and Darlington, and
providing some specific services to patients further afield from North
Yorkshire, the Tees Valley, Wearside, and South Tyneside. Our dedicated
workforce of over 8,000 colleagues deliver a
comprehensive range of acute and community services across multiple hospital
and community sites, as well as in patients homes. Each member of our team
plays a vital role in ensuring that our patients receive the best possible
care, and we are committed to placing people and our communities at the heart
of all we do.
Following the recent appointment of our Chief
Executive Officer, Steve Russell, we are seeking an inspirational and
forward-thinking leader to join us as our new Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
This is an exciting opportunity for a
values-driven and progressive leader who will implement our vision and
strategy, drive change and innovation, and deliver financial sustainability.
You will also play a significant leadership role across our local partnerships
and our regional system, quickly establishing credibility with our staff,
patients, and our partners to ensure that CDDFT continues to meet the evolving
needs of our communities.
Interviews will
take place week commencing 19 January 2026
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be an aspiring or existing Deputy Chief Executive in a complex healthcare organisation, with a strong track record of driving major transformational and cultural change, service transformation, and of delivering operational excellence.
You will be an inspiring communicator with
a high degree of political acumen, and a focus on patient experience and a
passion for reducing inequalities. A visible and influential leader, you will
bring an ability to build and maintain effective networks across the system,
advocating for innovation to drive improvements in patient care.
We are committed to ensuring that our board
represents the diversity of our local communities. We warmly welcome and
encourage expressions of interest from the widest range of backgrounds who can
bring diverse perspectives.
This is an exceptional opportunity to define
your career and help lead CDDFT as we strive to provide safe, compassionate,
and joined-up care. If you share our vision and values, and want to know more,
then we would love to hear from you. For a confidential discussion about this
opportunity, please contact Steve Russell our Chief Executive Officer on 07345
746832 or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Barb Crozier, Executive
Assistant to CEO on 01325 743565
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 been employed for a minimum of two years
of as a HCA within the NHS 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).
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Executive (DCEO) will be a senior strategic leader and a core member of the Trust Board and Executive Team, responsible for strengthening governance, improving performance, and providing visible and coherent leadership across the Executive Team as well as supporting the Chief Executive drive improvement across the Trusts key risks.
The role will:
- Support the delivery of major cultural and strategic transformation across the Trust.
- Act as first among equals within the Executive Team to improve collective leadership, break down siloed working, and ensure integrated corporate support to clinical services.
- Provide additional resilience and capacity at Board level by deputising fully for the Chief Executive and taking on significant executive functions.
- Strengthen system partnerships and ensure CDDFT plays a full and constructive role within the Integrated Care System and the Central Alliance.
- The postholder will hold substantial accountability across governance, strategy, digital, and performance reporting.
Be a voting member of the Trust Board
Please see Job Description attachment for full details
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Executive (DCEO) will be a senior strategic leader and a core member of the Trust Board and Executive Team, responsible for strengthening governance, improving performance, and providing visible and coherent leadership across the Executive Team as well as supporting the Chief Executive drive improvement across the Trusts key risks.
The role will:
- Support the delivery of major cultural and strategic transformation across the Trust.
- Act as first among equals within the Executive Team to improve collective leadership, break down siloed working, and ensure integrated corporate support to clinical services.
- Provide additional resilience and capacity at Board level by deputising fully for the Chief Executive and taking on significant executive functions.
- Strengthen system partnerships and ensure CDDFT plays a full and constructive role within the Integrated Care System and the Central Alliance.
- The postholder will hold substantial accountability across governance, strategy, digital, and performance reporting.
Be a voting member of the Trust Board
Please see Job Description attachment for full details
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters qualification in leadership or management related subject or equivalent significant experience of executive/board level leadership in a complex care environment.
- Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Strong understanding of NHS governance, risk, and regulatory frameworks.
- Advanced planning, performance and analytical capability.
- Ability to build high-performing teams and lead collective leadership.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and political awareness.
- Strong digital literacy and understanding of technology-enabled transformation.
- Ability to deliver results at pace while maintaining focus on safety and culture.
- Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships and effective working relationships.
- Ability to deal with multiple competing demands under time pressure
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial NHS senior executive experience working at Board level. Regional or national leadership experience is an advantage.
- Proven leadership of complex organisational change, cultural transformation and strategic development.
- Experience leading governance or assurance functions within a regulated environment.
- Successful track record in performance improvement, planning and delivery.
- Experience leading transformation or major service redesign.
- Demonstrated ability to work with system partners and influence across organisational boundaries.
Attributes, Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Compassionate, inclusive and confident leadership aligned to NHS values.
- Highly visible, credible and approachable.
- High integrity, sound judgement and commitment to accountability.
- Cognitive and interpersonal flexibility, able to balance strategic and operational issues.
- Commitment to learning, continuous improvement and staff wellbeing.
- Commitment to delivering the actions in the Trusts Behaviours Framework (Appendix 1)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters qualification in leadership or management related subject or equivalent significant experience of executive/board level leadership in a complex care environment.
- Evidence of continuous professional and personal development.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Strong understanding of NHS governance, risk, and regulatory frameworks.
- Advanced planning, performance and analytical capability.
- Ability to build high-performing teams and lead collective leadership.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and political awareness.
- Strong digital literacy and understanding of technology-enabled transformation.
- Ability to deliver results at pace while maintaining focus on safety and culture.
- Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships and effective working relationships.
- Ability to deal with multiple competing demands under time pressure
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial NHS senior executive experience working at Board level. Regional or national leadership experience is an advantage.
- Proven leadership of complex organisational change, cultural transformation and strategic development.
- Experience leading governance or assurance functions within a regulated environment.
- Successful track record in performance improvement, planning and delivery.
- Experience leading transformation or major service redesign.
- Demonstrated ability to work with system partners and influence across organisational boundaries.
Attributes, Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Compassionate, inclusive and confident leadership aligned to NHS values.
- Highly visible, credible and approachable.
- High integrity, sound judgement and commitment to accountability.
- Cognitive and interpersonal flexibility, able to balance strategic and operational issues.
- Commitment to learning, continuous improvement and staff wellbeing.
- Commitment to delivering the actions in the Trusts Behaviours Framework (Appendix 1)
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.
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.
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).
