Job Description

Interview date:

Week commencing 15 th September 2025



The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Director (NED) to join its Board of Directors. This is a key leadership role at a time of strategic transformation and improvement.



About the Role



As an NED, you will bring independent judgement, financial expertise, and strategic insight to the Board. You will work collaboratively with Executive and Non-Executive Director colleagues to ensure the Trust delivers safe, kind, and effective care. The successful candidate will be expected to Chair either the Finance & Performance Committee or the Audit Committee and therefore must bring strong financial experience.



Key Responsibilities



Provide independent financial oversight and strategic advice Support the development and delivery of the Trust's Five-Year Strategy Champion patient safety, quality, and continuous improvement Constructively challenge and support the Executive team Promote openness, transparency, and public sector values Act as an ambassador for the Trust within the community and wider NHS

As a member of a unitary Board, there is a shared and collective responsibility amongst all the Directors for the overall strategic direction and performance of the Trust. As Non-Executive Director, you will collaborate with other Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors as an equal member of the Board.



You will share responsibility with other Directors for the decisions made by the Board and form the success of the organisation in leading the local improvement of healthcare services. All of the Board members are required to work collaboratively and also to provide constructive challenge, as necessary.



The Directors must satisfy themselves as to the appropriateness and integrity of the information that comes to the Board and the efficacy of the controls and systems in place to ensure the good governance of the Trust. The Non-Executive Directors bring fresh perspectives to governance, reflecting their wider experience and skill sets acquired outside the Trust.



Non-Executive Directors have a particular role in collaborating with the Council of Governors which, in turn, is responsible for holding the Non-Executive Directors (both individually and collectively) to account for the performance of the Board. In practice, this requires the Non-Executive Directors to work with and be visible to the Council of Governors in the performance of their role as Non-Executive Directors.



The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:



The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds. Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility. Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.



Committee Leadership



The successful candidate will participate in Board level Committees and specifically will be expected to chair one of the following Committees:

Audit Committee - overseeing governance, risk, and assurance Finance & Performance Committee - monitoring financial performance, sustainability and service delivery

Each committee meets at least four times per year and plays a vital role in Board assurance.



Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone who:

Has significant Board-level experience in a large, complex organisation Brings strong financial acumen and business performance expertise Demonstrates intellectual flexibility and strategic thinking Is politically astute with excellent communication and influencing skills Upholds the Nolan principles and NHS values Is committed to diversity, inclusion, and public service

Essential Criteria



Professional financial qualification or equivalent experience Knowledge of NHS governance, financial management, and performance systems Ability to hold others to account and be held to account Strong interpersonal skills and personal integrity

Our Values



Safe - avoiding harm and reducing risk

Kind - considerate and non-judgmental

Effective - delivering excellent and reliable care



Additional Information



You must be a member of one of the Trust's constituencies (Chester and Rural Cheshire, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Flintshire, or the rest of England and Wales)



You must meet the Fit and Proper Person requirements and declare any conflicts of interest



The role is not pensionable and is subject to HMRC regulations for travel and subsistence



Equal Opportunities



We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and disabled individuals who are under-represented in non-executive roles.



See for further details.



Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.



You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of 16 per year applies.



New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.



Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.



Good luck with your application.