Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health - VSM

Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHS ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost‑effective model of health commissioning. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation. The Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health is a key member of the executive team and a non‑voting member of the Board. The postholder leads the commissioning of neighbourhood‑level, place‑based services and is responsible for ensuring services are integrated, equitable and aligned to the needs of communities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning strategies for primary care and community physical health services.
• Lead on behalf of the ICB an integrated approach to health inequalities across all aspects of ICB activities.
• Ensure commissioned services are designed around population need and personalised care.
• Oversee performance, access, quality and outcomes for all services within the portfolio, working with colleagues across the wider executive team as required.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Strategy to embed left‑shift in strategic commissioning plans.
• Lead the design and implementation of the neighbourhood health model across Greater Essex, ensuring alignment with the ICB Blueprint and national guidance.
• Lead the development of the framework and model of neighbourhood and place‑based delivery that will support population level outcome improvement whilst respecting the differing maturities of neighbourhood provision and need across Essex.
• Design and commission the infrastructure and delivery vehicles required to enable effective neighbourhood health provision, informed by national and international best practice.
• Lead market development and management activities to ensure that local delivery partners (including VCSE, primary care, and community providers) are supported and capable of delivering integrated, neighbourhood‑based models of care.
• Work with the Executive Director of Strategy to ensure that the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Place‑Based models encompass community mental health services and their role in supporting improved access and outcomes for residents.
• Work with the Executive Director of Nursing to ensure that the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Place‑Based models encompass relevant elements of community children and young people services, alongside Learning Disabilities and Autism services.
• Promote and ensure the effective use of population health data and risk stratification at neighbourhood level.
• Commission evidence‑based interventions targeted at identified populations to improve population health outcomes.
• Drive co‑design and participatory approaches that ensure commissioning decisions reflect community voice and experience.
• Support the Chief Executive in developing high quality relationships with Local Authorities across Essex, promoting integration of health and care at place.
• Oversee the Better Care Fund Grant arrangements and relevant section 75 agreements in collaboration with local partners.
• Support joint commissioning approaches and system solutions to address social determinants of health.
• Support the transition of relevant functions to providers or partners where appropriate.
• Support the transition of relevant commissioning functions from NHS England to the ICB where appropriate.
• Ensure continuity, equity and quality during the transformation of services.
• Represent the ICB in local forums, place‑based partnerships, and regional initiatives.
• All directors are expected to work collaboratively as a unified leadership team, modelling inclusive, respectful, and compassionate leadership.

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level (managerial orientation) or equivalent managerial experience.
• Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development.

Pay and Contract

Very senior manager (VSM). Salary depends on experience. Contract permanent. Full‑time. Location: Seax House, Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH.

Employer

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, Seax House, Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH. Employer’s website: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk.