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Career planning

Succeeding at director-level selection processes

Applying for a director-level role comes with a new level of scrutiny and expectation. From complex panel interviews to stakeholder engagement exercises, the process can be intense, even for experienced professionals. We’ll explore what’s typically expected at this level, how to approach the process strategically, and how to present yourself with clarity and credibility throughout. This session will be relevant for staff at Band 8C and above.

This free webinar is part of our career development webinar series. If you’re not an NHS Elect member, simply register using the guest checkout option.

Date Tuesday, 16 September 2025 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Where Details Online Online - MS Teams
User Details Members: Free
Level Details Advanced
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What you'll learn

  • How to approach preparation and due diligence for high-level roles
  • Techniques for giving confident, director-level responses to interview questions
  • How to present slides or lead key topic discussions during interviews
  • Strategies for handling panel Q&As with professionalism
  • Tips for approaching stakeholder group exercises

Who is this webinar for?

This session is aimed at NHS staff applying for director-level roles. It will be most relevant for staff at band 8C and above, in particular those seeking executive leadership positions who want to understand what’s expected and how to perform at their best throughout the selection process.

Lead facilitators

Rob Wright

Rob Wright’s niche is leadership career pathways in the NHS. He was previously Head of Executive Talent & Appointments at NHS England where he worked on CEO talent strategy, the creation of the Leadership Competency Framework and the appointments to the ICB boards.

Prior to that, as a Senior Programme Lead in the NHS Leadership Academy, he helped establish the NHS Executive Search team that supported board appointments in the NHS. He was also worked on the national Aspiring CEO programme, the Clinical Executive Fast Track, the Aspiring Director of Nursing, HR Director and Medical Director programmes and as well as the Aspire Together regional talent boards.

He has a background in search and selection and also took a time out to complete an internship with the RSPB, as an Education Officer – a position which involved encouraging school parties to explore the natural world.

Sue Kong

Sue has 30 years of operational, strategic and board experience in the NHS, largely in London and the East Midlands. She is passionate about developing young people and promoting diversity in the NHS. Sue has an MBA (distinction), specialising in marketing and is a CIM Chartered Marketer. Sue is an editorial board member for the Journal of Patient Experience (SAGE) and has presented at Warwick Business School, the Institute of Directors and the 2020 Arab Health Congress. Sue holds the ILM Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, is a member of the Association for Coaching and is passionate about coaching and mentoring colleagues from all backgrounds and disciplines in the NHS and is also keen on researching and testing use of AI in coaching. In 2024, Sue has been recruited to sit on the selection panel for the prestigious Oxford University & Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Ellison Scholars programme to find and fund students who will help solve some of humanity’s most challenging and enduring problems.