Associate Non-Executive Director (NED) Development Role

The Opportunity

We know that diverse boards make better decisions and Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHC) is committed to developing and diversifying the talent pool of aspiring National Health Service (NHS) non-executives. We want to support individuals to learn first-hand about the challenges and opportunities associated with being a non-executive director (NED) in today’s NHS.

Our Associate NED Development Role has been designed to help support the next generation of talented people into board level roles in the NHS. In particular, it aims to develop talented individuals who are underrepresented in current NHS boards.

The Programme

The successful candidate will be supported through a 24-month programme, providing them with a unique insight and experience in the role and responsibility of a NED. You will work alongside non-executive and executive board colleagues, taking an active role in board activity and being involved in collective decision making. WCHC will support the successful candidate to develop their NED readiness including identifying and bridging knowledge, skills and competency gaps. Examples of this could include:

Operating at board level in an organisation of significant size and complexity
Leadership competencies at board level
Transitioning from operational to non-executive roles
Understanding NHS structures and accountability, how the money flows, who are key partners, where regulators fit, and a boards role in quality and safety.

The programme will be underpinned by the NHS Leadership Competency Framework for board members (launched February 2024), and appointees will be welcomed via a robust onboarding programme, ongoing support as well as off-boarding support at the end of the programme.

The programme duration and content will be adapted to suit individuals’ aspirations and personalised development plan, with the individual being supported via experienced coaches and mentors. At the right time (up to a maximum of 24 months), individuals will be supported with their transition off programme, ideally onto a substantive and salaried non-executive post.

For further information on the development offer as part of the WCHC Associate NED Development Role, please click here.

For employers

Why support an individual with this opportunity?

Enabling individuals to undertake an Associate NED Development Role has a plethora of benefits, including:

Developing the knowledge, skills and competencies of an individual in a complex system environment at no direct cost to their current employer other than time release.
Recognising the successful candidate as a leadership talent and contributing to the retention of a highly skilled and valued team member through enabling access to this unique development opportunity.
Evidencing organisational commitment to adding corporate social value to local communities.

Supporting documentation

Associate NED Development Role – Development Programme

Additional Information

Eligibility

The WCHC Associate NED Development Programme has been developed to support people from groups who are currently under-represented on NHS boards into non-executive roles. It is focused on supporting people with protected characteristics and senior level experience, preferably but not necessarily at sub-board level, into board level roles in the NHS.

Anticipated Time Commitment

To mirror our non-executive roles, the time commitment for our Associate Non-Executive Development role will include participation in Board activities incl. both public and private meetings, informal board, board development and Board level committee meetings, as well as preparation time. You will also be expected to engage in the individualised development and support activities that will be provided.

A minimum of 3 days per month would be expected to undertake the role successfully, with Wednesdays being an identified corporate day for committee and board meetings.

Expenses

As this is a development opportunity there will be no remuneration for this programme. However, WCHC will reimburse individuals with appropriate expenses in accordance with NHS terms and conditions.

The programme is for a period of maximum 24 months.

How to apply

To apply for the WCHC Associate NED Development Role, please use the following link to be directed to our recruitment portal – TRAC.