Director General for System Development

NHS England is seeking an outstanding system leader to undertake this high‑impact Director General for System Development role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive.

This secondment or fixed‑term opportunity offers a unique chance to shape the future operating model of the NHS at a critical point of transition. You will lead the national approach to commissioning and contracting, oversee the direct commissioning of specialised services and screening, and build system capability to deliver the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Plan, including neighbourhood health.

You will play a central role in the transition of functions as NHS England staff move into DHSC, working closely with Ministers, senior officials and NHS leaders to design and establish an end‑state model for system development that strengthens local autonomy, improves outcomes and delivers efficiency.

The role carries accountability for significant budgets and leadership of a large, multidisciplinary workforce. You will operate at pace in a complex and evolving environment, providing clear leadership, sound judgement and a strong focus on delivery.

This opportunity is ideally suited to an experienced executive leader looking to make a defined, lasting contribution to national system reform—bringing deep expertise in commissioning, contracting and system leadership, and the credibility to influence at the highest levels of government and the NHS.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms — enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

We Lead The NHS In England By

• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
• Delivering value for money
  
  

Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.

If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Jackie Sutherland Job title: Senior Business Manager Email address: [email protected]