Salary: £50,000 per annum plus expenses
Contract Type: Part time (approximately 6 days per month). The appointment will run from Autumn 2025 to Autumn 2028.
Reporting to: DHSC Permanent Secretary, that is accountable to Ministers.
Purpose of the Role
The HDRS Chair will oversee the set-up, development and early implementation phase of the HDRS programme, which is being co-funded by philanthropic funding from Wellcome Trust, one of the UK’s leading charitable funders of health research.
The Health Data Research Service itself, its governance structures and operating model are yet to be established. The Chair will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s strategy and formation and must bring a high level of adaptability and sound judgement in key formation decisions.
The initial appointment would be with the Department for Health and Social Care, with the appointed candidate subsequently being engaged directly by the new company upon its establishment.
Key responsibilities
The Chair has the following responsibilities:
- Lead the HDRS Board during the company’s initial development and set up phase including supporting the recruitment of a suitable CEO and top team; the delivery of a viable business plan and target operating model; the integrity of its corporate governance and its obligations to its employees, shareholders and broader stakeholders, including ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
- Set the company’s direction and strategy, and ensure the board provides effective management and governance oversight.
- Ensure high trustworthiness of the new entity through appropriate engagement with the public and professional groups.
- Work constructively and openly with the DHSC Shareholder (DHSC Secretary of State) and the sponsorship teams on HDRS strategy and policies, performance and other matters that the DHSC-shareholder has a strong interest in, including, but not limited to, where the shareholders’ interests are expressed as reserved matters or delegations.
- Build a consensus among key stakeholders and other bodies as to the role of HDRS and garner the maximum support for achieving its objectives, ensuring patient centricity is at the heart of the vision.
- Build an effective working relationship of trust, openness and support with the company’s Chief Executive and wider executive team.
- Build an excellent Board.
- Add value in both strategic and commercial domains through the application of intellect, commercial insight and the use of personal experience and networks.