Job overview

We're looking for two ambitious, politically astute and highly collaborative leaders to join the Strategic Partnership team as Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships. There are two roles, one each for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our work to strengthen the partnerships that will help improve population health, reduce inequalities and support sustainable health and care services across our communities. 
Working for the Director of Strategic Partnerships, you will act as the strategic partnership lead for one of our three counties, providing a strong local anchor while helping to shape a coherent approach across the wider Cluster. You will build and lead relationships with local authorities, Health and Wellbeing Boards, Members of Parliament, mayoral authorities, universities, industry, the voluntary sector and a wide range of system partners.

This is an opportunity to influence the future direction of one of the largest NHS Clusters in England. You will work closely with Executive colleagues, elected representatives, strategic partners and system leaders to ensure that NHS strategies and plans are informed by local priorities, political insight and partnership intelligence. You will play a key role in supporting neighbourhood health, strategic commissioning, health and work initiatives, innovation partnerships and the response to local government reorganisation and devolution. 

Main duties of the job

The role combines strategic leadership with practical delivery. It requires someone who enjoys building trusted relationships, navigating complexity and influencing across organisational boundaries. You will be comfortable operating autonomously, translating strategic ambition into tangible outcomes and ensuring partnership activity directly supports the delivery of the ICBs' priorities and statutory responsibilities. 

About You 

We're looking for someone who: 

• Brings significant experience of developing and leading strategic partnerships within the NHS, local government or wider public sector environment. 

• Has a strong understanding of health policy, local government, devolution and wider public sector reform. 
• Can spot and exploit the connections and links between disparate sectors and organisations, maximising our collective assets and opportunities

• Builds trusted relationships with senior leaders, elected representatives and partners across organisational boundaries. 

• Demonstrates strong political awareness, judgement and the ability to operate successfully in complex and sensitive environments. 

• Thinks strategically while maintaining a strong focus on delivery, outcomes and impact. 

• Can synthesise complex intelligence, insight and stakeholder perspectives into clear strategic advice and recommendations. 

• Leads with authenticity, inclusivity and compassion, creating an environment where people and partnerships can thrive. 

Working for our organisation

The DLN Cluster, comprising Derby & Derbyshire ICB, Lincolnshire ICB, and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire ICB, offers prospective employees a unique opportunity to contribute to healthcare innovation focused on reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for local communities. By joining our team, you will help develop integrated neighbourhood health models that bring care closer to home and support proactive, preventative approaches. We are committed to sustainable, high-impact clinical excellence and support innovation through dedicated transformation funding, turning ideas for improvement into frontline delivery. At the DLN Cluster, your career will be shaped by meaningful system-wide change, collaborative working, and the opportunity to help build a healthier, fairer future for diverse communities across the region.

This role may be employed by any organisation within the DLN Cluster.