Job Advert
Relocation Package where appropriate
This is a rare opportunity to take on a high‑profile, leadership role at the heart of one of the UK’s largest and most complex health systems.
*NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking an experienced, credible and values‑driven senior leader to join our organisation as Deputy Director of Planning. In this role, you will help shape the future of health and social care for a population of 1.3 million people, and for the regional and national services delivered on behalf of Scotland.
Why this role?
As Deputy Director of Planning, you will work alongside the Director of Planning to set direction, provide assurance and lead system‑wide transformation across acute services, primary care and Health & Social Care Partnerships. You will operate with significant autonomy and delegated authority, influencing decisions at Board, regional and national level.
This is a role for someone who thrives in complexity, enjoys working across boundaries, and wants to make a tangible difference at scale – translating strategy into action and delivering sustainable change across an integrated health and care system.
What you’ll be doing:
- Playing a central leadership role in shaping and delivering whole‑system planning, transformation and service redesign, aligned to national priorities and Board objectives
- Leading and assuring the Board’s Annual Delivery Plan and Three‑Year Transformation Plan ensuring strong governance, performance oversight and clear executive reporting
- Providing senior system leadership across Acute Services and Health & Social Care Partnerships, working closely with executive, clinical and senior managerial leaders to improve flow, capacity, performance and outcomes
- Leading major transformation programmes, strategic service reviews and large‑scale improvement initiatives, including work within the Board’s Transforming Together portfolio
- Acting with delegated executive authority, representing NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at Board Committees and in regional and national forums, influencing policy, planning and delivery decisions
- Ensuring planning is fully integrated with finance, workforce, digital, public health and performance functions to deliver coherent, affordable and sustainable system‑wide plans
- Leading and developing a highly skilled Corporate Planning and Programme Management team, setting clear priorities, directing programmes of work and creating an environment where people can perform at their best
About you
You will be an accomplished senior leader with a strong track record of strategic planning, transformation and delivery of complex change within a large organisation. You will be comfortable operating at executive level, exercising professional authority, sound judgement and influence across organisational and system boundaries.
You will bring:
- Significant experience of working within the NHS or health and social care system
- A deep understanding of national policy, planning and performance frameworks
- Confidence operating with a high degree of autonomy in a fast‑paced, politically aware environment
- The ability to lead through complexity, balancing competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus
Above all, you will be motivated by the opportunity to improve outcomes for patients and communities, and to help shape a more sustainable, integrated health and care system.
Why join NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde?
You will join a dynamic, ambitious Corporate Planning Directorate, working with committed colleagues and partners across health, social care and government. This role offers genuine scope to influence, innovate and lead change at scale, while continuing to develop your own executive leadership capability.
For informal discussion, please contact Claire MacArthur, Director of Planning email: Claire.MacArthur@nhs.scot
Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates
This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.
- Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
- Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
- Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
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