Chief Delivery Officer

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Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Chief Delivery Officer

The closing date is 15 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is one of the largest NHS organisations in the country, with more than 30,000 colleagues, a turnover of over £3 billion and services spanning 10 hospitals, community health services and adult social care across Manchester and Trafford.

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Delivery Officer to join our Board and Executive Team at a pivotal time for MFT and the wider NHS. Reporting directly to the Trust Chief Executive, you will lead our delivery agenda, translating strategic ambition into measurable and sustainable improvements in operational performance, patient access, productivity and outcomes.

Few roles offer the opportunity to influence care and delivery on this scale. You will shape how one of the NHS's largest and most complex organisations operates, strengthening accountability and organisational oversight while sponsoring major transformation programmes including Care on Time and Care Closer to Home. Working with clinical and operational leaders, you will help MFT deliver consistently high-quality services and make the greatest possible difference with the resources available to us.

Main duties of the job

As Chief Delivery Officer, you will provide executive leadership for operational performance, transformation, patient access, productivity and continuous improvement across MFT. You will lead the Trust's Delivery Oversight Framework and Delivery Unit, using performance insight, analytical capability and targeted intervention to strengthen accountability, manage risk and accelerate improvement.Your portfolio will include delivery of the Annual Plan and key performance trajectories, the MFT Coordination Centre, the Corporate Cancer Team, the Trafford Elective Hub and emergency preparedness, resilience and response. You will sponsor the Care on Time and Care Closer to Home programmes and lead the development of improvement capability through MFT's Improvement Academy and Faculty, supporting the ambition to embed a culture of continuous improvement.We are looking for a highly experienced NHS leader with substantial senior operational leadership experience gained within a large, complex healthcare organisation. You will combine strategic vision with operational grip, sound judgement and a strong record of delivering performance, transformation and improvement at scale.If our Trust and this role is of interest to you and would like to learn more to see if this is the next and best move in your career, we encourage you to contact us for a conversation in confidence.

Closing date for applications - Sunday 15th November 2026

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.

As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high-performing executive team. Our £3bn plus turnover and leading-edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient-centred care and drive continuous improvement.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values-led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Join us to make a lasting impact--on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.

Details

Date posted

05 November 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Attractive Remuneration Package

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-COR-8357682-RL4

Job locations

Cobbett House, Trust Headquarters, Oxford Road Campus

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about MFT and full details of the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. For more information, including details of how to apply, please visitwww.odgers.com/97048.

Job description

Job responsibilities

On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about MFT and full details of the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. For more information, including details of how to apply, please visitwww.odgers.com/97048.

Person Specification

Qualifications - Academic / Professional

Essential

• General education to degree level, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Relevant Master's level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Track record of continuous personal and professional development.

Desirable

• Professional Clinical Registration.

Skills, Knowledge Requirements & Experience - Strategic Leadership

Essential

• Recent Chief Executive / Director of Operations experience in a large and complex NHS Trust.
• Significant director experience in a large and complex NHS Trust.
• Track record in the successful management & leadership of an extensive team.
• A proven ability to deliver consistently to best practice standards.

Skills, Knowledge Requirements & Experience - Effective Partnerships

Essential

• A commitment to system and organisational excellence.
• A commitment to close working with health and social care partners in Manchester and GM.

Skills, Knowledge Requirements & Experience - Wider NHS and Health Context

Essential

• Knowledge of current national and GM NHS / Care systems.
• A solid and evident understanding of NHS dynamics and the values of the UK public sector.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills and personal credibility, with the ability to quickly gain the confidence of and build relationships with others, including managers, clinicians and all staff.
• Innovation and creativity - ability to make decisions that encourages new ways of working and develop a culture of innovation with a willingness to take calculated risks.
• Achievement focused - ability to set targets and get things done to achieve continuous improvement.
• Politically astute.
• Resilient under pressure and calm in a crisis.
• Sets high standards for self and team and motivates and inspires others to achieve these.
• Committed to support and deliver a culture of continuous learning for both self and team.
• Initiative - sees opportunities and acts on them - proactive rather than reactive approach.
• Decision making - ability to make decisions based on an analysis of key financial, people or service concepts.
• A commitment to the ethical standards expected of public sector leaders in the UK including the fit and proper person's test.

Person Specification

Qualifications - Academic / Professional

Essential

• General education to degree level, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Relevant Master's level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Track record of continuous personal and professional development.

Desirable

• Professional Clinical Registration.

Skills, Knowledge Requirements & Experience - Strategic Leadership

Essential

• Recent Chief Executive / Director of Operations experience in a large and complex NHS Trust.
• Significant director experience in a large and complex NHS Trust.
• Track record in the successful management & leadership of an extensive team.
• A proven ability to deliver consistently to best practice standards.

Skills, Knowledge Requirements & Experience - Effective Partnerships

Essential

• A commitment to system and organisational excellence.
• A commitment to close working with health and social care partners in Manchester and GM.

Skills, Knowledge Requirements & Experience - Wider NHS and Health Context

Essential

• Knowledge of current national and GM NHS / Care systems.
• A solid and evident understanding of NHS dynamics and the values of the UK public sector.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills and personal credibility, with the ability to quickly gain the confidence of and build relationships with others, including managers, clinicians and all staff.
• Innovation and creativity - ability to make decisions that encourages new ways of working and develop a culture of innovation with a willingness to take calculated risks.
• Achievement focused - ability to set targets and get things done to achieve continuous improvement.
• Politically astute.
• Resilient under pressure and calm in a crisis.
• Sets high standards for self and team and motivates and inspires others to achieve these.
• Committed to support and deliver a culture of continuous learning for both self and team.
• Initiative - sees opportunities and acts on them - proactive rather than reactive approach.
• Decision making - ability to make decisions based on an analysis of key financial, people or service concepts.
• A commitment to the ethical standards expected of public sector leaders in the UK including the fit and proper person's test.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cobbett House, Trust Headquarters, Oxford Road Campus

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cobbett House, Trust Headquarters, Oxford Road Campus

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

TASA Service Lead

Sinead Gamble

[email protected]

07900584906

Details

Date posted

05 November 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Attractive Remuneration Package

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-COR-8357682-RL4

Job locations

Cobbett House, Trust Headquarters, Oxford Road Campus

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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