Go back Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Chief Operating Officer
The closing date is 28 October 2025
We are delighted that you're considering joining us as our Chief Operating Officer. This is an exciting time for our organisation, and we are looking for someone who shares our passion for making a real difference in people's lives.
We're a Trust that's big enough to make an impact, but small enough to feel personal. We care deeply about our people - both those we support in the community and those who work with us. As our Chief Operating Officer, you'll play a key role in shaping our future, improving our culture, driving excellence, and helping us deliver compassionate, high-quality care every day.
The post holder must ensure that services are delivered within a culture of continuous improvement and safety and in line with our Trust values. They will be accountable for all aspects of operational service delivery and performance.
They will work collaboratively with other executives to optimise service performance and productivity, ensuring high quality care and rigorous resource management which supports the Trust's financial recovery programme.
The COO will also be accountable for the delivery of national and local key performance indicators, as well as compliance against Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) core standards.
Main duties of the job
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is accountable to the Chief Executive Officer and the Trust Board for the overall strategic and operational leadership of service delivery within the Trust.
The post holder must ensure that services are delivered within a culture of continuous improvement and safety and in line with our Trust values. They will be accountable for all aspects of operational service delivery and performance.
They will work collaboratively with other executives to optimise service performance and productivity, ensuring high quality care and rigorous resource management which supports the Trust's financial recovery programme.
Key relationships
Internal
* Chief Executive
* Executive and Non-Executive Directors
* Chair of the Audit Committee
* Board level Directors
* NED Chairs of board subcommittees
* Governors
* Clinical Directors
* Directors and Managers
* Internal auditors
External
* Directors and Officers from partner organisations within the wider ICB cluster
* Directors and Officers of stakeholder organisations
* External auditors
* Directors and Officers from other NHS Bodies
* Directors and Officers from other statutory and regulatory bodies
* Voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith (VCSEF) sector
About us
Why this role matters
We are an ambitious organisation, proud to advocate for and stand alongside our Black Country communities. As Chief Operating Officer, you'll be at the heart of operational delivery, strategic execution and compassionate leadership.
In organisations such as ours, care is often complex, multi-disciplinary and deeply personal. Operational leadership needs to balance delivery and performance targets with the human realities of recovery, wellbeing and dignity.
As the NHS embraces new models of care; shifting from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, you will play a pivotal role in leading that change locally. You will help shape and implement new care pathways, integrate services across systems and neighbourhoods, and ensure that innovation is embedded in practice.
You will help foster collaboration across clinical and corporate teams, build trust with partners, and ensure that our values are lived, not just stated. You will help create a culture of inclusion, hope, and recovery.
Ultimately, you will be part of a team that is accountable for delivering results that matter: improved patient outcomes, reduced inequalities, better access to care, and enhanced productivity. Your leadership will help ensure that every part of the organisation is aligned with its mission
This is your chance to make a lasting impact. To help us do our best for the Black Country, and for everyone who calls it home.
Job responsibilities
Core executive responsibilities
Wholly participate in the role of the unitary Board of Directors in discharging its collective responsibilities for:
Providing active leadership to the Trust within a framework of robust and effective controls which enable risk to be evaluated and informed decision-making.
Ensuring compliance with the Trusts Terms of Authorisation, its Constitution, mandatory guidance issued by regulators, relevant statutory requirements and contractual obligations.
Setting the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust, taking into account the views of the Council of Governors and ensuring that the necessary human, physical and financial resources are in place for the Trust to meet its objectives and deliver on Trust-wide performance.
Ensuring the quality and safety of services, education and training and research delivered by the Trust, and applying the principles and standards of clinical governance.
Setting the Trusts values and standards of conduct, and ensuring its obligations to its members, service users and other stakeholders are understood and met.
Be objective and offer constructive challenge in forming the decisions of the Board in the interests of the Trust.
Accept joint and collective responsibility for the decisions of the Board.
Represent the Trust as required and authorised, in appropriate forums and events.
Work in partnership with other key stakeholders to ensure delivery of the Trusts key strategies.
Please download the accompanying Application Pack for a full background to the role, further information and Job Descriptions and Person Specifications.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* First degree or equivalent senior operational experience
* Related masters' qualification or equivalent level of experience
* Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
Skills and Abilities
* Excellent communication skills, oral and written
* Effective influencing and negotiating skills
* Ability to evaluate and act on complex performance and financial information
* Able to develop effective partnerships and alliances
* Highly developed interpersonal skills
* Able to manage conflict and bring resolution
* Demonstrable ability to develop, motivate and lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams
Experience
* Extensive senior leadership and management experience within the NHS or similar body, preferably at Board level
* Experience of leading a diverse range of complex services with a track record of delivering against key performance targets
* Demonstrable experience of leading effective change in complex environments.
* Demonstrable experience of managing large, complex budgets and delivering efficiency programmes
* Track record of developing and implementing effective strategies
* Extensive experience of developing effective networks and partnerships, and stakeholder management
* Experience of leading the integration of health and social care services
Knowledge
* Excellent understanding of NHS policy and governance.
* Understanding of statutory and legal frameworks within which the NHS operates.
* Understanding of problem solving and negotiation techniques.
* Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and legislation linked to EDI
Personal Qualities
* Values demonstrably aligned to those of the Trust and NHS
* Self-motivated and self-confident
* Integrity and professionalism
* Resilient and adaptable
* A mindset of collaboration
* Humility and a willingness to learn
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.
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Depending on experienceSalary to be determined by Non-Exec Trust Remuneration Committee
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