Together we power care
If you are looking to make a real difference for children, young people and their families in an institution that is world renowned, then this could be the next role for you.
You will be joining us at an exciting time as we embed a change in our operating model which will create the environment that enables decisions to be made as close to patients as possible. Alongside this change in operating model, we are launching our strategy and a refresh of our values and behaviours framework, both of which are also central to creating the environment in which our people can do their very best work.
Job overview
Director of Operations
Reporting to the Chief of Service, the Director of Operations is a key role within the new operating model.
The Director of Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership to the clinical directorates, working in partnership with the Chief of Service and Director of Nursing, wider clinical teams, Executive and corporate teams. They will be responsible for turning our strategy into operational reality and for ensuring high-quality, safe, effective and timely delivery of services across GOSH.
The Director of Operations is a key leadership role, accountable for delivery of financial and performance improvement, transformation, fostering continuous quality and patient experience improvement, and enabling teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for children, young people, and their families.
We are recruiting for two Director of Operations to join the leadership triumvirates for the following groupings of directorates:
1. - Core Clinical Services and Clinical Site Operations
2. - Body, Bones & Mind, and Blood, Cells and Cancer
Main duties of the job
As an inspiring and highly skilled and experienced operational leader, you’ll demonstrate a track record in operational delivery. You’ll have the ability to work with colleagues across the organisation to achieve the highest standards in performance, innovation, quality of care and patient experience.
You will work alongside the Chief of Service and Director of Nursing to provide leadership support across the grouping of Directorates in pursuit of creating an open and participative culture that enables staff to perform at their very best, promoting a patient-centred culturally sensitive approach to the delivery of patient care. As a senior leader within the organisation, you will have a key role in the embedding of the Trust’s values.
To succeed in this role, you’ll be an experienced, innovative, compassionate leader with an abundance of resilience and creativity. An inspirational leader, you’ll want to make a real difference to patients and families. You’ll provide clarity of thought, a calm approach and purpose when the pressure to deliver is on. Just as importantly, you’ll embody our values - focused on patients, continuously improving and innovating through collaboration and teamwork, striving for excellence, and being respectful of others and the role that they play in delivering services to our patients and families.
Working for our organisation
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we’ll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women’s networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification document which provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.
If you are excited about the possibilities that these roles offer and would value an informal conversation, then you are very welcome to contact:
Dena Marshall, Chief Operating Officer
Sian Pincott, Chief of Service – Body, Bones & Mind & Blood, Cells & Cancer
Tim Liversedge, Chief of Service – Core Clinical Services & Clinical Site Operations
We look forward to receiving your application!
Application process and timelines
Please submit a CV and use the supporting statement section of the application to write your covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for this role and demonstrating how you fulfil the requirements of the job description and person specification.
For application form queries, email ;
Closing date for applications – Monday, 15th December 2025 at 9:00am
Stakeholder meetings & panel interview – Monday, 12th January 2026
We expect to notify successful candidates that they have been shortlisted by Friday, 19th December 2025.
Person specification
GOSH Culture & Values
Essential criteria
* Our Always values •Always welcoming •Always helpful •Always expert •Always one team
* Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
* Masters level qualification or equivalent management qualification
* Evidence of on-going personal and professional development
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Significant management and leadership experience at a senior level within NHS and across a range of NHS settings
* Proven experience and ability in managing operational performance with tight financial constraints demonstrating effective budget management
* Experience of capacity planning and translating organisation strategy and vision into operational objectives.
* Evidence of successfully leading significant organisational change in developing new models of healthcare delivery
* Demonstratable experience of building, maintaining and utilising successful relationships with all staff especially clinicians within complex organisations
* An understanding of healthcare planning process and key national healthcare issues
* Demonstrable strong and credible leadership in being able to pull people together across systems and motivate them to deliver common aims and targets
* Demonstrable significant experience of situational leadership, human resource management, coaching and people development
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
* Highly developed communication skills combined with personal authority, confidence and integrity, with proven ability to make a positive impact at all levelsssure and meet tight deadlines
* Excellent presentation skills with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences
* Able to take tough decisions and calculated risks and see require action through
* Excellent project management skills as project manager or sponsor. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
* Demonstrates strong commitment to action to achieve equality and diversity in the NHS workforce and for the community