Job overview
This is a rare opportunity for the right candidate to make a huge impact in our Trust.
We are seeking a new Chief Operating Officer with the skills to enable our journey of improvement. We are a large and complex organisation and the successful candidate will be an outstanding leader, with an enviable track record of successful operational leadership and the capabilities to deliver transformation in partnership with colleagues across a large, multi-service organisation.
Vitally important will be the need for our new COO to live our values and, in partnership with board colleagues, to role model the behaviours that are essential in inspiring a positive, open and learning culture, building credibility and confidence with colleagues, partners, communities and regulators at all levels.
If you can demonstrate the above, share our passion for patient care and demonstrate an alignment with our values, we would be delighted to hear from you. In addition, we would particularly welcome candidates from groups currently under-represented at board level because we value the diversity of our colleagues and actively champion an inclusive culture, believing everyone should feel free to be their authentic self in the workplace.
Closing date for applications, Friday 5th September 2025. Stakeholder event w/c 29th September 2025 followed by face to face interviews w/c 13th October 2025.
Main duties of the job
Carmel Gibbons
Partner and Head of the Healthcare Practice
Direct: +44 207 529 1128
Working for our organisation
The University Hospitals Sussex (UHSussex) is one of the largest hospital trusts in the UK; we are a major trauma centre and tertiary care provider and we run seven hospitals across five sites with additional satellite facilities and community services.
We are proud to put our patients first. Our 20,000 colleagues across Sussex are passionate about providing excellent patient care, every time, for a population of 1.8 million.
We have built the foundations for greater future achievement through our investment in new clinical leadership, staffing, education, research and innovation. However, alongside this time of opportunity, we do not underestimate the challenges that we face as a Trust and as a healthcare system. Now is a time of great change and transformation for our organisation, and we recognise not only the demanding financial and operating environment we find ourselves in, but also the need to balance these demands with an unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. Our 20,000 colleagues across Sussex are passionate about providing excellent patient care, and we are committed to learning from recent events to ensure we build the foundations for greater future achievement through this mission.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Carmel Gibbons
Partner and Head of the Healthcare Practice
Direct: +44 207 529 1128
Person specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Educated to masters degree level or equivalent professional experience
2. Post graduate management qualification or training or equivalent professional experience
3. Evidence of continuous personal, professional and managerial development
Desirable criteria
4. MBA
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
5. Proven track record of operational leadership in a complex NHS organisation at board level
6. Recent experience of operating as COO in an acute hospital setting
7. Evidence of leading complex change and modernisation relating to improving organisational performance and efficiency
8. Evidence of leading complex change and modernisation relating to improving organisational performance and efficiency
9. Experience of leading organisation cultural improvement and embedding new ways of working within an NHS operational environment
10. A track record of successes in delivering against national and local NHS operational performance targets
11. Background of improving service standards and delivering efficiencies, and value for money
Communication and Relationship Skills
Essential criteria
12. Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
13. Effective and strategic influencing skills at all levels of the organisation including Board and external stakeholders
14. Highly developed collaborative working skills - ability to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and multi-professional staff groups
15. Ability to present complex and sensitive information at all levels both internally and externally
16. Ability to write reports and present at Board level
17. Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS, politically astute and able to identify and work with key influencers to deliver a range of acute healthcare services
18. Sound understanding of national health policy and local health initiatives
19. Demonstrable understanding of the Trust’s strategic objectives, financial and management challenges
Skills and aptitudes
Essential criteria
20. The intellect and interpersonal skills to have the respect of senior clinicians, managers and academics
21. Resilience and perseverance to ensure delivery and implementation of key goals
22. The ability to develop capability and confidence in colleagues, ensuring targets are achieved and maintained
23. The ability to motivate staff in all professions and harness and nurture talent
24. Ability to quickly build clinical and managerial credibility
25. Evidence of a compassionate and inclusive leadership style
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications