PCN Strategic and Operations Lead

The PCN Strategic and operational Lead will provide seniorleadership across strategy development, governance, assurance, performance, andsystem engagement for the PCN Limited Company. The role will support theClinical Director in translating clinical priorities and national policy intoclear strategic plans, robust governance arrangements, and effective oversightof delivery.

The post holder will lead on corporate governance, statutorycompliance, performance assurance, and preparation for CQC registration,ensuring the PCN meets its contractual, regulatory, and organisationalresponsibilities. The role will work in close partnership with the Directors and the PCN Clinical Leads providing strategic direction to the PCNs operational supportfunction, without holding direct line management responsibility.

Main duties of the job Strategic Leadership and PCN Development

Corporate Governance and Statutory Compliance

Performance Management and Contractual Assurance

Financial Oversight and Assurance

Workforce and ARRS Strategic Oversight

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Preparation and Registration

System Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

Oversight of Operational Support

About us We are excited to be recruiting a PCN Strategic and Operations Lead to be part of Pendle East Primary Care Network (PCN), which is a collaboration of 5 GP Practices within the Lancashire/Yorkshire border who collectively care for over 47,500 patients. The PCN member practices are located at 4 sites: 2 GP Practices within a large modern purpose-built building and 3 GP Practices a short drive away. The PCN is determined to meet the challenges of modern primary care by working innovatively and growing our multi-disciplinary team to provide a holistic approach to our patient population. The PCN team already includes; Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health & Wellbeing Coaches, Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Paramedics, Mental Health Practitioners and Care Coordinators.

Job responsibilities Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and PCN Development

Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of thePCNs strategic priorities

Translate national policy, PCN DES requirements, and systempriorities into local PCN plans

Support the Clinical Director and Networking practices in shaping the long-termsustainability and development of the PCN

Provide strategic advice and insight to the PCN Board andmember practices

Corporate Governance and Statutory Compliance

Lead on corporate governance and statutory compliance forthe PCN Limited Company

Ensure effective Board, Director, and member governancearrangements are in place and operating effectively

Support compliance with the Articles of Association,shareholder/member agreements, and Network Agreement

Ensure appropriate decision-making frameworks,documentation, and assurance processes are maintained

Maintain oversight of corporate risk management andassurance arrangements

Performance Management and Contractual Assurance

Lead oversight of PCN performance against DES and othercontractual requirements

Monitor delivery against agreed KPIs and PCN priorities

Identify performance risks, under-delivery, and emergingissues, and coordinate corrective action

Provide regular assurance reporting to the Directors and the PCN Clinical Leads, Board, and member practices

Financial Oversight and Assurance

Provide strategic oversight of PCN financial governance andsustainability

Work with the Operational Support Officer and externalaccountants to ensure appropriate financial controls and reporting

Monitor PCN income, expenditure, and funding risks

Support financial oversight of PCN budgets, funding streams,and claims, working with the Clinical Director and Finance Lead, and ensuringfinancial decisions remain within agreed budgets and approvals

Workforce and ARRS Strategic Oversight

Provide strategic oversight of the PCN workforce, includingARRS roles

Monitor workforce capacity, utilisation, and sustainabilityrisks

Support workforce planning and service developmentdiscussions

Provide assurance on workforce governance and compliance

Care Quality Commission CQC Preparation and Registration

Lead the PCNs preparation for Care Quality Commission CQCregistration, where applicable

Develop and coordinate a structured approach to achievingCQC registration for the PCN Limited Company

Maintain oversight of CQC regulatory requirements relevantto PCN-delivered services

Support the Clinical Director and Board in understanding CQCregistration responsibilities, risks, and timelines

Ensure appropriate governance arrangements, policies, andevidence are developed in readiness for registration

Coordinate engagement with the CQC and relevant systempartners in relation to registration and compliance

Provide assurance to the Clinical Directors, Clinical leads and member practices onprogress towards CQC registration.

System Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

Act as a senior strategic link between the PCN and the ICBand wider system partners

Coordinate and oversee PCN responses to system-levelrequests and priorities

Represent the PCN at relevant system forums alongside theClinical Directors or Clinical Leads where indicated.

Oversight of Operational Support

Provide strategic direction and prioritisation to the PCNOperational Support Officer

Ensure effective alignment between strategic priorities andoperational delivery

Maintain appropriate separation between strategic leadershipresponsibilities and administrative support

Person Specification Experience

• Significant experience working in a senior or strategic role within primary care, PCN, or wider NHS environment
• Experience supporting or leading governance and assurance arrangements within a complex organisation
• Experience overseeing performance against contractual, regulatory, or organisational requirements
• Experience working with senior clinicians, Boards, or multi-practice stakeholders
• Experience coordinating work across multiple organisations or partners
• Experience working within a PCN Limited Company
• Experience supporting Board or Director-level decision-making
• Experience supporting regulatory or compliance preparation within a healthcare setting

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to provide strategic leadership and translate strategy into clear plans and oversight.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance, financial, and workforce data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work autonomously and take ownership of complex areas of responsibility.
• Experience preparing or coordinating assurance reports for Boards or senior leadership
• Experience working at system or place-based level within the NHS

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of PCN DES requirements and the wider primary care landscape.
• Knowledge of NHS governance and assurance frameworks.
• Knowledge of limited company governance and statutory compliance requirements.
• Understanding of performance management and risk management within healthcare.
• Knowledge of ARRS funding and workforce governance.
• Knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and inspection frameworks.

Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic and delivery-focused.
• Able to operate with calm authority, particularly in periods of transition, change, or uncertainty.
• Able to exercise sound professional judgement in complex, ambiguous environments and to escalate appropriately where decisions have strategic, financial, or reputational impact.
• Comfortable operating within defined authority boundaries
• Keen interest in the organisational direction and governance
• Able to manage competing priorities without destabilising teams
• Politically astute, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments while maintaining organisational integrity and independence.
• Exposure to bid preparation, business cases or tender support
• Understanding of PCN financial flows and funding mechanisms

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience in a relevant field e.g. healthcare management, business, public sector leadership.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to the role

Other Requirements

• Care Quality Commission CQC Registration and Compliance
• Understanding of CQC regulatory requirements relevant to primary care and PCN-delivered services.
• Awareness of CQC registration responsibilities and the preparation required for compliance.
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple sites and organisations as required.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Understanding of confidentiality, information governance, and data protection principles.
• Experience supporting CQC registration, inspection readiness, or regulatory assurance activity.
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