Head of Operations – Perioperative Care, Theatres and Critical Care
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
The closing date is 10 February 2026
The Head of Operations will be responsible for supporting the Division in directing, guiding, and leading the care group in the overall management of the care group specialties, and for developing business strategic plans, performance management frameworks to ensure delivery of all key activity and financial targets.
A key dimension will be to support the Divisional Director of Operations in engaging clinical managers in the complex management agenda, including the preparation of annual business plans and the development of capacity and capability to deliver both local and national priorities.
This role will also provide senior operational support to the specialties within the responsible care group with intensive support to achieve operational recovery and strategic objectives.
Under the Divisional Director of Operations leadership, the Care Group Head of Operations will:
* Work with the Divisional management team in driving forward directorate wide programmes of work and service direction.
* Support with bringing together divisional and corporate recovery plans aligned to short and long-term objectives.
* Communicate complex concepts to a range of staff groups and clinicians and effectively negotiate barriers to change to ensure plans are delivered to timeframes and expectations.
* Work in collaboration with the Divisional Director of Operations to shape and implement the corporate objectives for the Trust.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Operations to lead a large, complex Care Group. You will be accountable for operational performance, including high-quality patient care, clinical governance, safety, and financial targets.
You will drive continuous improvement across the directorate, delivering Trust-wide recovery and transformation programmes, developing staff through training, and ensuring performance accountability. You will manage risk, clinical governance, complaints, and adverse incidents, ensuring robust systems and quality impact assessments are in place.
As a people leader, you will maximise staff engagement, deploy resources efficiently, and ensure workforce KPIs are met. Financially, you will manage budgets, authorise expenditure, and work closely with finance and clinical teams to deliver sustainable, high-value services.
You will lead service improvement projects, support strategic planning, and implement digital solutions to enhance operational delivery. You will build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, represent the Trust in sensitive situations, and keep abreast of policy and regulatory changes.
The Post holder will deputise for the Divisional Director of Operations as required.
The role includes participation in theSilver on-call rota.
Please see job description for full details.
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
* Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country\'s top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
* St Mark\'s Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
* Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
* Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
Job responsibilities
For full role duties and responsibilities please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
* Educated to master's level in a relevant area or equivalent experience.
* Evidence of post-qualifying and continuing professional development
* Expert and relevant knowledge gained through further post qualification specialist training or experience
Knowledge & Experience
* Substantial experience in a senior leadership role in a large NHS organisation
* Experience of developing and delivering large scale operational improvement and trust-wide efficiency programmes
* Strong background in operational management with proven track record of delivery across a range of specialities/services
* Strong background in financial and analytical management demonstrating an understanding of current NHS structures and key policies affecting it.
* In-depth understanding of current NHS plans and strategies and how to implement them.
* Experience in delivering transformational change at a large scale.
* Evidence of translating complex concepts into key messages and writing clear reports and presentations
* Evidence of presenting complex concepts to different audiences and assured messages are received.
* Experience in working closely with clinical teams to develop and implement improvement opportunities.
* Substantial experience of managing teams at all levels including those from a range of clinical disciplines
Skills, Abilities, and Attributes
* Ability to manage successful and sustainable improvement delivery during a period of change and transition.
* Experience in making and advising on complex decisions involving financial and operational risk and sensitivities up to and including Board level
* Ability to influence and persuade others, creating successful and effective working relationships through strong, positive, professional interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Outstanding organisational skills with an ability to prioritise, be flexible and always ensure that high quality, timely work is produced by yourself and those you manage.
* Ability to offer expert opinion and judgement on a range of operational management scenarios.
* Ability to provide advice and support across all disciplines clinical and non-clinical.
* Ability to provide and receive, convey, and present highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious concepts to large groups, responding openly to questions to ensure full understanding and engagement, and dealing effectively with hostile or emotional responses.
* Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of sources internal and external and present it so it is understood by all audiences.
* Demonstrate sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent.
* Ability to act with minimal guidance and set goals and standards for others
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.
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
£97,283 to £111,278 a yearpro rata pa Inclusive of High Cost Area Supplement
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