We are seeking an ambitious, values-led Deputy Director of Primary Care who is passionate about improving outcomes, reducing health inequalities and developing accessible, sustainable and high-quality primary care services.
Primary care will be central to delivering the NHS’s three strategic shifts: from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention and from analogue to digital. Across our footprint, we commission services from approximately 319 general practices, alongside an extensive network of community pharmacies, dental and optometry providers.
You will support the transition from transactional commissioning towards a strategic approach focused on population health, prevention, outcomes, innovation, reducing inequalities and securing value from public investment. This will include providing senior oversight of commissioning, contracting, quality assurance, performance and financial stewardship across the primary care portfolio.
This is an opportunity to influence change across a large and complex health and care system. We are looking for a leader who understands the opportunities and challenges facing primary care and can build trusted relationships with patients, practices, professional representatives, provider collaboratives and system partners.
Lead the strategic commissioning and development of primary care services across the DLN footprint.
Oversee contracts and commissioning arrangements for GP practices, dentistry, pharmacy and optometry services.
Drive integration of primary care within neighbourhood health models and wider system transformation programmes.
Support development of clinical leadership models and collaborative provider arrangements across the cluster.
Lead programme governance through forums such as the DLN Primary Care Programme Board.
Work with ICB executives, provider collaboratives, local authorities and NHS England to deliver strategic objectives and statutory duties.
Ensure delivery of access, quality, financial and performance improvements across primary care services.
Primary care transformation and neighbourhood health development.
Improving access to NHS dental services and reducing inequalities.
Governance, commissioning and contract management.
Workforce sustainability and provider engagement.
Population health improvement and strategic commissioning.
The DLN Cluster, comprising Derby & Derbyshire ICB, Lincolnshire ICB, and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire ICB, offers prospective employees a unique opportunity to contribute to healthcare innovation focused on reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for local communities. By joining our team, you will help develop integrated neighbourhood health models that bring care closer to home and support proactive, preventative approaches. We are committed to sustainable, high-impact clinical excellence and support innovation through dedicated transformation funding, turning ideas for improvement into frontline delivery. At the DLN Cluster, your career will be shaped by meaningful system-wide change, collaborative working, and the opportunity to help build a healthier, fairer future for diverse communities across the region.
This role may be employed by any organisation within the DLN Cluster.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification.
Provide strategic leadership for primary care across the Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire (DLN) Cluster, ensuring effective commissioning, transformation and integration of GP, dental, pharmacy and optometry services. The role supports the transition to a cluster operating model while maintaining statutory responsibilities and improving population health outcomes. Across our footprint, we commission services from approximately 319 general practices, alongside an extensive network of community pharmacies, dental and optometry providers.
Working closely with the Director of Primary Care and others, you will operate across organisational and professional boundaries, bringing people together around a shared purpose and translating ambitious strategies into measurable improvements in access, quality, experience and outcomes for our communities.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend both internal and external virtual stakeholder panels, followed by a formal panel interview. Further details about the selection process and arrangements will be shared with shortlisted candidates. We are anticipating interviews to commence W/C 28th September 2026.
