Vacancies

Chief Executive Officer

Leading a small but highly effective team, and with an operating budget of ~£0.5million per annum, the Chief Executive role is pivotal: in part advocate, lobbying government and funding bodies to invest in the North; in part broker, bringing together different organisations, clinicians and academics to pursue strategically important and significant opportunities in health and the life sciences; in part business developer, raising the profile of the organisation’s members and strengths in the UK and internationally; and in part organisational leader, managing the Alliance’s responsibilities and associated teams.

This represents an exciting opportunity for potential candidates within the wider context of the North of England’s Great North project and internationally leading UK life sciences sector, the significant potential for impact on health outcomes, and the variety of the role which focuses on people and engagement in all its forms. The CEO will be working with the Chair at the heart of a highly complex health science ecosystem.

First and foremost, it will be important that candidates are passionate about health and wealth, particularly in the areas that the NHSA serves. The successful candidate will bring together relevant networks and have a deep understanding of the different contexts involved. They will need to successfully engage with a wide variety of stakeholders at a senior level, possess a sophisticated flair for advocacy and wider public affairs, have an understanding of the ways in which academics and clinicians work, as well as a demonstrable track record in driving activities with these groups. Candidates will also need to demonstrate credibility, dynamism, energy, resilience and an ability to successfully manage competing demands on time and resource, and to delegate when appropriate. Based in the North of England, there will be significant national and international travel involved in carrying out the role.

Before applying, please read the full vacancy information pack – including background information, main duties and responsibilities and the person specification – which can be accessed here: NHSA CEO Job description_FINAL August 2025

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Louise Kenny CBE, Chair, NHSA at louise.kenny@liverpool.ac.uk

To apply, please send a CV accompanied by a covering letter describing your fit to the role as laid out in the person specification to Sarah Hill, Project Manager at the NHSA at: sarah.hill@thenhsa.co.uk

Closing date: 5.00 pm, Friday 12th September 2025