Chief Strategy Officer

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), we are proud to be one of the largest and most complex NHS organisations in the country, serving diverse communities across Manchester, Trafford and beyond. We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our Board as Chief Strategy Officer.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of health and care at MFT. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Board colleagues, clinical leaders and partners across Greater Manchester, you will lead the development and delivery of our organisational strategy, ensuring we continue to improve outcomes for patients, staff and communities.

As Chief Strategy Officer, you will play a central role in influencing the strategic direction of the Trust, helping us respond to a changing healthcare landscape whilst building on the strengths of our scale, expertise and partnerships. You will work across organisational and system boundaries to turn ambition into action, foster innovation and collaboration, and help ensure MFT remains at the forefront of healthcare improvement, research, education and clinical excellence.

We are seeking a credible, politically astute and visible leader with significant experience as a Director of Strategy within a large acute NHS organisation. You will bring a proven track record of strategic leadership, partnership working and transformational change, together with the ability to build strong relationships and influence at Board, system and national level.

As a member of the Executive Director Team and Board of Directors, you will provide strategic leadership across MFT and help shape the future direction of one of the UK's largest NHS organisations.

Leading the development and delivery of the Trust's organisational strategy and annual planning processes, you will ensure our ambitions translate into meaningful improvements for patients, staff and communities. Working closely with Executive colleagues, Clinical Group Chief Executives and senior clinical leaders, you will support the development of sustainable clinical services, innovative models of care and strategic partnerships.

You will build influential relationships with NHS England, Greater Manchester system partners, local authorities and key stakeholders, representing MFT at senior forums and helping shape system-wide decision making.

The role will lead the deployment of the MFT Organisational Strategy, ensuring organisational priorities are translated into clear plans and measurable outcomes. You will work across organisational and system boundaries to identify opportunities for collaboration, drive innovation and support the continued development of high-quality, sustainable services.

Through visible, values-led leadership, you will champion staff engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion, helping create a culture where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver outstanding care.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester is the largest health academic campus in Europe. We are an ambitious organisation, serving over 1 million patients and users annually through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are a driving force for innovation, clinical excellence, and system leadership across Greater Manchester.

As a senior leader at MFT, you will shape strategy and transformation at scale, working alongside a diverse, high-performing executive team. Our £3bn plus turnover and leading-edge digital infrastructure, including the Hive EPR, enable us to deliver integrated, patient-centred care and drive continuous improvement.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, values-led culture where your expertise, vision, and leadership will directly influence organisational direction and population health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to lead complex change, champion research and innovation, and develop future talent in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Join us to make a lasting impact—on our Trust, our communities, and the future of healthcare.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Sinead Gamble Job title: TASA Service Lead Email address: sinead.gamble@mft.nhs.uk Telephone number: 07900584906