Chief Operating Officer

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare organization is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead operational services across London. The successful candidate will inspire a workforce of over 5,000 staff while ensuring high-quality care and safety standards. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, overseeing emergency preparedness, and improving collaboration with stakeholders. The role demands a proven track record in senior operational leadership in the health sector, commitment to public service, and effective stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Significant proven experience in a senior operational role within the health sector.
• Experience in building organisational capabilities and leading culture change.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspiring leadership to a workforce of over 5,000 staff.
• Ensure the Trust meets operational, statutory, financial, and health responsibilities.
• Work closely with system leaders to improve patient flow and responses.

Skills

Leadership

Operational management

Public service commitment

Communication

Education

Degree level education

Job description

London Ambulance Service are working in partnership with Alumni Global on the recruitment of this role, please submit any applications direct to the Agency (contact details below).

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join our Trust Board and Executive Leadership Team at a pivotal point in our journey. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this newly created post is a senior, voting executive role with responsibility for the leadership, delivery and continuous development of all operational services across the Trust. This role will draw together the 999, 111 and ambulance operations portfolios together and lead on the effective delivery of programmes and projects that support operational performance and transformation.

Main duties of the job

The Chief Operating Officer will provide highly visible, inclusive and inspiring leadership to a workforce in excess of 5,000 staff, supported by a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles operating from approximately 65 locations across London. You will champion a professional, open and compassionate culture that empowers people to perform at their best, while maintaining a relentless focus on quality of care, patient safety, operational performance and value for money. Working closely with executive colleagues, you will ensure the Trust consistently meets its operational, statutory, financial and health and safety responsibilities, while continuing to raise clinical and service standards.

As a full member of the Board, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering the Trust's strategy, translating ambition into clear, achievable operational plans and assuring delivery through robust performance and governance arrangements. You will work in close partnership with system leaders across London, including NHS organisations, local authorities and the emergency services, to strengthen collaboration, improve patient flow and support effective responses during periods of system wide pressure. You will also hold Board level responsibility for emergency preparedness, business continuity and resilience, ensuring the Trust fulfils its duties under the Civil Contingencies Act.

About us

The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust plays a critical role at the heart of the capital's health and care system. Serving more than nine million people across one of the world's most complex and diverse cities, our teams respond to thousands of emergency and urgent care calls every day, working in partnership to keep Londoners safe. Our ambition is to deliver outstanding emergency and urgent care for a world-class city, underpinned by our values of Caring, Respect and Teamwork.

Job responsibilities

We are looking for a senior operational leader with ambulance service experience and a strong track record of delivering complex services at scale, either from within the NHS or an international health system. While you may be either an established or aspirant executive, you will bring credibility at Board level, sound financial and operational judgement, and the confidence to lead through challenge and change. Above all, you will share our commitment to public service, equality and inclusion, and to leading with integrity, compassion and purpose.

This is a rare and demanding opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of millions of Londoners. If you are motivated by challenge, inspired by service, and ready to lead at the highest level, then please contact Thomas Patterson, Managing Director or Pascal Heward, Consultant on [phone] or [e-mail].

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or demonstrable equivalent, relevant and contemporary experience
• Experience and/or qualification as a paramedic or other ambulance related healthcare professional would be beneficial but not essential.
• Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, as evidenced by track record

Knowledge & Experience

• Significant proven experience in a senior operational role, within the health sector
• Significant experience in building organisational capabilities and leading culture change, including establishing a clear strategic vision and direction and translating this into successful outcomes
• Experience of developing and maintaining positive, high-level relationships with key stakeholders and influencers
• A demonstrable record of leading and performance managing complex health service delivery to achieve outstanding results

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.