Job overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly organised Chief Executive Operations Manager to work alongside the Chief Executive and within the Executive team to provide senior operational support to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for one year during a period of maternity leave cover.
This is a high-profile, influential role at the heart of the Trust and provides a great development opportunity for colleagues. The Chief Executive Operations Manager is accountable for the support structure that enables the delivery of the work and priorities of the organisation. They provide senior operational leadership, coordination and high‑level administrative support to the CEO, ensuring the effective organisation, prioritisation and flow of information, correspondence and activity required to support the CEO in meeting organisational responsibilities and achieving their priorities.
The role ensures the smooth running of the CEO’s office, coordinating communications, meetings and actions, and that the CEO is appropriately briefed and supported. The postholder also applies considered, and at times strategic, judgement within defined parameters, analysing complex information, identifying risks or issues, and escalating matters as required.
The postholder will be working with the CEO on a daily basis and regularly liaise with Executive Directors, senior managers and external offices to obtain information, negotiate deadlines, resolve conflicting views and secure timely responses or actions on behalf of the CEO’s office.
The postholder operates with delegated authority within agreed parameters, playing a critical role in enabling effective executive leadership through high‑quality organisation, planning, assurance and professional support.
The role requires sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to work confidently at Executive and Board level in a fast-paced and sensitive environment.
This role would suit someone looking for a senior, impactful, and flexible developmental opportunity, with exposure to Executive-level working and decision-making.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work closely with the Head of Corporate Governance and the Associate Director of Communications. This role is centred on three core areas:
Operational support to the Chief Executive Officer
To coordinate and manage the operational arrangements that enable the CEO to deliver their priorities effectively, including diary management oversight, briefing, meeting preparation and follow‑up,with accountability for ensuring CEO‑led actions are progressed, tracked and delivered within agreed timescales.
Coordination of communications and information
To prepare and coordinate written and verbal communications on behalf of the CEO, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and appropriate tone, and working with colleagues to ensure information is timely, complete, fit for purpose, and enables informed decision‑making by the CEO.
Identification and escalation of issues and risks
To proactively identify emerging issues, risks or pressures that may impact delivery of the CEO’s commitments, analysing information, determining appropriate action, and escalating matters with options or recommendations as appropriate.
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
1. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
2. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
3. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
4. We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
5. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
6. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
7. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.
What do we stand for?
8. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
9. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
10. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria
11. Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience in a relevant area
12. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
13. Management or administrative qualification
Experience and knowledge
Essential criteria
14. Significant experience of providing high‑level administrative or operational support to senior leaders
15. Experience of managing complex diaries, competing priorities and sensitive information
16. Experience of preparing briefings, summaries and reports from complex information
17. Experience of coordinating meetings, actions and follow‑up at senior level
18. Experience of working across organisational boundaries to support delivery of senior priorities
19. Knowledge of the operational and governance environment of the NHS or a similarly complex public sector organisation
20. Knowledge of information governance, confidentiality and data protection requirements
Desirable criteria
21. Experience of supervising colleagues in an administrative or office setting
22. Experience of supporting executive directors or equivalent senior roles
23. Experience of working within the NHS or public sector
24. Experience of supporting board or committee processes, including minute‑taking and action tracking
25. Experience of exercising delegated authority and independent judgement in support of senior leaders or complex operational environments.
26. Knowledge of NHS board and executive governance arrangements
27. Awareness of NHS financial and people management processes
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
28. Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a varied and demanding workload
29. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to review complex information and summarise key issues clearly
30. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft correspondence and briefings to a high standard
31. Ability to exercise sound professional judgement within defined parameters, make autonomous decisions where appropriate, and know when to escalate issues
32. Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion
33. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels
34. Confidence in coordinating activity with senior colleagues in a professional and diplomatic manner
35. Competent IT skills, including effective use of Office 365 and document management systems
36. Ability to identify opportunities for, and lead on the delivery of, continuous improvement of administrative systems and processes
37. Experience of budget monitoring or financial administration
Personal qualities
Essential criteria
38. Highly professional, reliable and dependable with ability to work collaboratively and support positive working relationships.
39. Self-directed – can work independently to meet deadlines and prioritise workload.
40. Highly organised with the ability to juggle multiple projects and responsibilities with several individuals and under pressure – must also be able to maintain information systems, filing systems, and orchestrate efforts of executive team effectively.
41. Proactive and confident - takes the initiative to lead improvements, anticipate needs, prevent issues before they arise, and creatively solve problems.
42. Proven ability to work well within a team - must be a good team player and be sensitive and adjust to different personalities as needed to maintain a positive and cohesive atmosphere.
43. Flexible and adaptable - able to change direction as needed and at a moment’s notice. Ability to perform within tight deadlines and unanticipated interruptions or pressures.
44. Highest level of integrity and professionalism - must handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
Other requirements
Essential criteria
45. Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the role
46. Willingness to travel between Trust sites as required
47. Ability to use display screen equipment for prolonged periods
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
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