Director of Strategy and Partnerships
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- Employer:
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
- Location:
- Bolton
- Salary:
- VSM - Attractive Salary
- Closing date:
- 9am Wednesday 11th November 2026
- Job Ref:
- GSe137296
Associated documents
Description
Rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and Ofsted, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year Urgent and Emergency Care to those in need of immediate medical treatment, and where necessary, transport to the most appropriate receiving hospital/centre. As the geographically largest Ambulance Service in the UK, our 8,000 staff and volunteers in over 300 different roles serve a population of more than 7.5 million people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, and part of Derbyshire.
As the NHS continues to evolve, the Trust is seeking an exceptional strategic leader to help position NWAS for the future, strengthening partnerships, driving change and ensuring it remains a leading voice across health and care systems.
As Director of Strategy & Partnerships, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team and a non-voting Board Director, helping to shape the future direction, performance and governance of the Trust. You will lead the development and delivery of the Trust's strategic direction, ensuring NWAS remains at the forefront of integrated urgent and emergency care while strengthening its influence across local, regional and national partnerships. By aligning the Trust's ambitions with system priorities, you will position NWAS as an influential partner in shaping the future of integrated urgent and emergency care and make a tangible impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.
You will be an engaging, visible and collaborative strategic leader, with a strong track record of shaping strategy, leading change and improving services within a large, complex organisation. Operating at Board level, you will combine sound governance and assurance expertise with the practical ability to turn vision into delivery, working through others and in partnership with staff, patients and stakeholders. With the credibility, resilience and influence to build trusted relationships across organisational boundaries, you will unite people around a shared vision and deliver meaningful, measurable change.
NWAS is an inclusive, compassionate organisation committed to working together, being at its best and making a difference to patients, staff and communities. We actively welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse leadership team that reflects the communities we serve.
To learn more about us and this exceptional role, please visit our dedicated microsite by clicking Apply below or for a confidential discussion, and details of how to apply, please contact our search partners Will McAlpine on will.mcalpine@gatenbysanderson.com or Emily Smith on emily.smith@gatenbysanderson.com at GatenbySanderson.
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How to Apply
- Please submit an up to date copy of your CV, along with a Supporting Statement that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.
- A completed fit and proper person form – the template can be downloaded from the same place as the job description.
- Detail any employment or education gaps.
- You should provide the names, positions, organisations, and contact details for your referees, which must be your line managers and include your current and most recent employer. The referees should cover at least two roles as the minimum. Please note, should you be appointed, you will be required to provide references covering your last 6 years of employment as per the new NHS Fit and Proper Person regulations. Where there have been gaps in employment, this six year period will be extended accordingly. Referees will only be contacted for those proceeding to the final stage - we will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
- Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
- Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email to confirm that you have applied. If you do not receive this email, please make contact with GatenbySanderson.
Acceptable use of AI
Candidates may use AI tools to support proofreading, editing and presentation. However, all application materials should represent the candidate's own experience, perspectives and leadership thinking. We are seeking original and authentic responses, and applicants should ensure that any submission reflects their own analysis, judgement and vision for the role.