Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Director of Primary Care
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Job Overview
The post holder will support the Chief Operating Officer (COO), holding a key strategic leadership role, including full delegated powers and authority to act on behalf of the COO in relation to all Primary Care Contracting and Commissioning issues.
The post holder will interpret NHS strategy and policy and be responsible for developing the Board’s policy in relation to primary care development, contracting and commissioning, including the setting of goals and standards and implementing this to deliver improved primary care services for the population of North Wales.
Working across the organisation, with Executive Directors, senior clinicians, and externally with independent contractors and partner organisations, the post holder will ensure the development and delivery of world-class primary care services.
The post holder will be responsible for overseeing compliance with complex legislation and national standards across all Primary Care policy, developments, and contracts. As a member of the Director’s Senior Management Team, the post holder will be responsible for all aspects of primary care development and contracts, including policy development, budget review and advice, quality standards, governance, and performance management.
The post holder will work across all areas of primary care, interpreting WG health policy and strategy to develop local responses.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide expert leadership in translating national policy and guidance into effective local services, working collaboratively with Integrated Health Communities, primary care contractors, professional representatives, and partner organisations to develop innovative, integrated, and evidence-based models of care.
You will lead the management and performance of primary care contractual arrangements, including GMS, GDS, GOS, and Community Pharmacy, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance, effective use of resources, and value for money. You will provide expert advice on complex contractual and performance matters, lead negotiations and dispute processes, and oversee arrangements relating to contractor performance and professional regulation.
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A key focus will be developing strong assurance and performance frameworks to support safe, high-quality primary care services, identifying areas for improvement, and taking appropriate action where concerns arise.
Providing visible and effective leadership, you will lead and develop teams across North Wales and build strong relationships with clinicians, contractors, partners, and stakeholders. You will be confident operating in a complex environment, influencing at a senior level, and constructively challenging existing approaches to deliver sustainable service improvement.
Working for our organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is Wales’s largest health organisation, with a budget of over £2.4 billion and a workforce of over 20,000 staff.
BCUHB provides a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute, and specialist hospital services for the population of North Wales, across 3 acute hospitals and a network of community hospitals, health centres, clinics, and mental health units. It also coordinates or provides the work of GP practices and NHS services provided by dentists, opticians, and pharmacists across the region.
The Health Board is an integrated health system that strives for excellent, compassionate care delivered in partnership with the public sector and other statutory and third sector organisations.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Candidates are encouraged to refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to Masters Degree level, or equivalent management qualification, or equivalent senior-level experience
- Evidence of continued professional development across several disciplines
- Evidence of continued management and leadership development, gained over an extensive period
Desirable criteria
- Leadership/management qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience of operating at very senior management level, likely to be at Board level, in an NHS organisation
- Significant experience of strategic service planning across a range of health service areas in primary and community services
- Proven experience of implementing service change in a complex environment, managing conflict appropriately
- Advanced knowledge of primary care contractual arrangements and regulations
- Extensive experience of dealing with primary care professional concerns, handling investigations, and operating Performance panels
- Extensive experience of service planning, a successful track record in delivering service change and improvement, and managing HR implications of change
- Experience of significant budgetary and staff management responsibility, with a track record of delivering financial sustainability and value for money
- Experience of negotiation with contractor professions regarding contractual issues
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Desirable criteria
- Previous health care experience in a large organisation
Knowledge And Skills
Essential criteria
- Advanced knowledge of primary care governance structures and systems for assuring safety and quality of patient services
- Comprehensive understanding of the WAG policy direction for the NHS in Wales and ability to develop service solutions to deliver this agenda
- Proven experience in clinical engagement with primary care to deliver service improvement
- Proven leadership skills
- Professional and personal credibility with primary care contractors
- High-level change management skills
- Highly developed written and verbal presentation and communication skills
- Highly developed influencing and negotiating skills, with ability to effectively deal with extremely challenging situations
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with clinicians, other staff colleagues, and partner organisations
- Ability to think and act strategically, articulating a clear vision
- A commitment to citizen-focused local service delivery
- Ability to analyse, interpret, and report complex information
- Ability to deal with a rapidly changing environment and competing priorities
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrable understanding of the structure and framework of the NHS Wales
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