Leadership Academy

Nominate or Apply Now

Contents

There will be one Talent Pool initially for London, which aims to create a pool of senior talent who are ‘ready-now’ to be shortlisted for executive director (provider) or governing body (CCG) positions. We are also inviting nominations and applications from colleagues working for Public Health England, Health Education England, NHS England and NHS Improvement. The individuals in the pools are currently looking for substantive executive director positions in the London region.  Individuals can either be nominated to enter the pool or apply through a self-nomination process.   

Successfully joining the pool will give entrants access to bespoke support to enable them to take the next step in their careers and secure a substantive Executive Director role; offerings include;

  • Career coaching
  • Application Support
  • Interview support
  • Vacancy identification
  • Signposting to development opportunities
  • Support from the Executive Search and IMAS teams

Who should apply?

  • Anyone seeking to apply for an executive director or governing body post in the London region or wish to be considered for roles in another region within the next 6-12 months as well as anyone who also feel they meet the criteria as outlined in the success profile.

If you are ready to take the next steps into the Aspire Together: London Talent Pool, you can access more information below to either be organisationally nominated or apply through self-nomination processes.

Organisation-nominated

Nominations are sought from line managers and other individuals who work with candidates who meet the criteria in the success profile to join the Aspire Together: London Talent Pool. Prospective candidates will be seeking to apply for an executive director post in the London region within the next 6-12 months.

Self-nominated

For candidates seeking to apply for an executive director or governing body post in the next 6-12 months. If organisations have not put candidates forward this route is to allow candidates to nominate themselves for the Aspire Together: London Talent Pool.

Things to consider pre-application

  • Is the next role you are planning to apply for an NHS executive director post?
  • If successful in the gateway process, are you able to seriously consider executive director opportunities within the next 6-12 months?
  • Do you have experience of leading multiple teams or services? This may be through the direct management of multiple teams or through oversight across a range of different, complex service areas which requires them to influence across organisations or teams.
  • Have you had exposure to a governing board (either within or outside the NHS)?
  • Are you able to articulate your understanding of the role of an executive director?

Ideally, the answer to all of the above questions should be ‘yes.’ However, if this is not the case and if you feel your next step is the Aspire Together: London Talent Pool please do apply, and a member of the team will be in contact to confirm information and clarify next steps.

Who should nominate someone to the pool?

  • Nominations are sought from line managers and other individuals working with candidates who meet the criteria as outlined in the success profile. 
  • All nominations must be approved by a Chief Executive Officer, Accountable Officer or Regional Director.

Identifying your Talent Pool pathway

Aspire Together Talent Pool – Existing Directors

This pool is aimed at those colleagues who are already in an executive director position, and who are considering a move to another organisation in the next 6-12 months. The nomination and application window for this pool will open in November 2019.

You should only apply or nominate someone for the pool if they meet the below criteria and feel they meet the characteristics set out in the NHS Executive Director Success Profile.

  • The nominee has been in post for more than 2 years (unless there are reasonable exceptional circumstances)
  • They are not subject to any ongoing performance grievance, disciplinary process or investigation
  • They meet the Fit and Proper Persons Test
  • They are ready to move to a new Executive Director Position within a provider Board or CCG governing body in the next 6-12 months.

The Existing Director entry process focuses on a review of the information provided against the success profile and may involve follow-up conversations by email and telephone. The application window remains continuously open, with applications being collated on the first Monday of each month.

Find out more about the existing directors application process.

Aspire Together Talent Pool – Aspirant Directors

This pool is aimed at those colleagues who are currently not in an executive director or governing body position, but who have the necessary skills to be considered for one of these positions in the next 6-12 months. The nomination and application window for this pool will open in January 2020.

The nomination window for Aspirant Directors will open in January 2020 for the following roles:

  • Director of Nursing / Chief Nurse;
  • Director of HR / OD / Workforce;
  • Director of Finance;
  • Chief Operating Officer

You should only apply to be considered for the pool or nominate someone for the pool if they meet the criteria and characteristics set out in the NHS Executive Director Success Profile.

  • Is the next role the candidate will apply for an executive director post on a provider board, CCG governing body or regional ALB board? 
  • If successful in the gateway process, is the candidate able to consider executive director opportunities within the next 6-12 months?
  • Does the candidate have experience of leading multiple teams or services? This may be through the direct management of multiple teams or through oversight across a range of different, complex service areas which requires them to influence across organisations or teams.
  • Has the candidate had exposure to a unitary board governing body (either within or outside the NHS)?
  • Is the candidate able to explain their understanding of the role of an executive director?

The Aspirant Director process focuses on a review of the information provided against the success profile followed by an assessment centre.

For candidates who wish to apply for their first Executive Director post and are currently operating at one level below board level, you are required to attend one of three gateway Assessment Centre’s in 2020: 

  • 7 – 8 April 2020 (application window closes 5th February 2020)
  • 5 – 6 May 2020 (application window closes 4th March 2020)
  • 18 – 19 June 2020 (application window closes 15th April 2020)

*Existing Directors are not required to attend an assessment centre 

Find out more about the aspirant directors application process.

The Aspire Together: London Talent Pool is currently focused on the roles detailed above however we may look to open up nominations for other roles in the future. Should you wish to register your interest for future roles please contact the team via email: [email protected]

Aspire Together Talent Pool – Aspirant Directors

Aspire Together Talent Pool – Existing Directors

If you have any questions about the process, please contact the team via email: [email protected]