Deputy Chief Executive - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Secondment Opportunity up to 6 months
Grade: Executive and Senior Manager Grade H(Grade and salary are indicative only and are subject to NEC job evaluation)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is seeking an exceptional, values-driven leader to join our Corporate Management Team as Deputy Chief Executive.
This is a rare and influential opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role within Scotland’s largest health board, serving a population of 1.3 million people and employing more than 42,000 staff. With an annual revenue budget of £4.65 billion and capital investment exceeding £70 million, NHSGGC delivers acute, community, primary care and mental health services across a complex and diverse health and social care system.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive will support the strategic leadership of the organisation and play a central role in ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred healthcare across the system.
The Role
As Deputy Chief Executive you will:
- Provide executive leadership for whole-system operational delivery and performance, ensuring NHSGGC meets national and local priorities.
- Support the Chief Executive and Board in setting strategic direction and translating this into measurable outcomes for patients, staff and communities.
- Lead the development and delivery of strategic transformation programmes, including priority areas such as mental health services, digital transformation and key improvement programmes.
- Oversee and support system performance improvement, ensuring robust governance, accountability and performance management across the organisation.
- Work in close partnership with the six Health and Social Care Partnerships, clinical leaders, local authorities and national stakeholders to ensure integrated service delivery.
- Provide executive leadership for critical programmes including the Public Confidence and Safety Oversight Programme and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Rectification Programme.
- Act as the designated deputy for the Chief Executive .
The postholder will have direct responsibility for the Director of Interface Care and the Director of Digital Services, overseeing services with a combined budget of approximately £104 million and around 1,470 WTE staff
About You
We are seeking a highly experienced and inspirational leader who can operate effectively at Board level within a large and complex organisation.
You will bring:
- Significant senior strategic leadership experience, ideally within the NHS or a comparable complex public service environment.
- A proven track record of leading large-scale transformation and performance improvement programmes.
- Experience of managing substantial budgets and large multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong understanding of governance, policy and delivery within a politically accountable system.
- The ability to build strong partnerships across organisational boundaries and influence at regional and national levels.
- Exceptional communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
Above all, you will be a leader who embodies the values of NHS Scotland, demonstrating compassion, integrity, inclusivity and a commitment to tackling health inequalities while delivering high-quality care.
About NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is one of the largest healthcare organisations in the UK. The Board provides services across 35 hospitals and more than 50 health centres and clinics, including 10 major acute hospitals, and delivers regional services for 2.2 million people across the West of Scotland as well as 42 national services.
The organisation works closely with local authorities, universities and research institutions, playing a vital role in healthcare education, research and innovation.
Further Information
For further information about the key results areas of the role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification contained in the Candidate Information Pack.
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact:
Professor Jann Gardner
Chief Executive, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Tel: 0141 201 4642
Email: jann.gardner@nhs.scot
Closing date: Sunday 29th March 2026 at 23:59
Equality and Inclusion
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition, we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in employment.
For recruitment support or adjustments, please contact:Heather.Silvester@nhs.scot
