Job overview
University Hospitals Tees is one of the most ambitious hospital group partnerships in the NHS. Bringing together North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we are working together to transform health and care across the Tees Valley, North Yorkshire and the wider North East.
Serving a population of around million people, our hospitals deliver care across four main acute sites The James Cook University Hospital, University Hospital of North Tees, University Hospital of Hartlepool and the Friarage Hospital alongside extensive community and specialist services. Together our teams of more than 14,000 staff provide world-class services including a Major Trauma Centre, Regional Cancer Centre and a range of tertiary specialties serving patients across the region.
As we continue to strengthen the University Hospitals Tees group model, we are now seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to help shape the next phase of our development.
Main duties of the job
This is a pivotal senior leadership role within University Hospitals Tees. Reporting to the Chief Delivery Officer, the Chief Operating Officer will play a defining role in delivering high-quality, safe and sustainable services across our hospital group.
Working closely with the Medical Director, Director of Nursing and executive colleagues, you will have responsibility for the operational leadership of our clinical services and the performance of our Clinical Service Units. You will lead a strong operational leadership community, including Deputy Chief Operating Officers, and ensure the effective delivery of operational performance, quality improvement and transformation across the organisation.
Beyond operational delivery, this role offers the opportunity to shape the long-term future of healthcare across our region. As part of the senior leadership team you will contribute to the strategic development of the University Hospitals Tees group, strengthening collaboration across our hospitals and with partners across the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.
Working for our organisation
We are seeking an outstanding senior leader with:
1. Significant senior leadership experience within a large and complex NHS organisation, working closely with Executive Boards
2. A strong track record of delivering operational performance and leading transformation at scale
3. Deep understanding of the NHS policy, regulatory and operational environment
4. Experience of working across organisational boundaries within an Integrated Care System
5. Exceptional ability to lead, influence and build trusted relationships with senior clinical leaders and system partners
Above all, you will bring the leadership, resilience and strategic insight required to help shape the future of healthcare across University Hospitals Tees.
University Hospitals Tees is on an exciting journey. Our Caring Better Together strategy sets out a bold ambition to improve health outcomes for our communities while developing an integrated hospital group that delivers excellence in patient care, workforce experience and innovation.
Joining us now means helping to shape a major transformation programme across one of the largest healthcare systems in the North of England.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key responsibilities will include:
6. Providing visible, compassionate and decisive leadership across all operational services
7. Ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective patient care across University Hospitals Tees
8. Leading the performance and development of Clinical Service Units and their leadership teams
9. Delivering operational performance against national and local standards
10. Driving large-scale service transformation and continuous improvement
11. Working closely with clinical leaders to develop new models of care and integrated pathways
12. Building strong partnerships across the ICS, regional provider collaboratives and national bodies
You will also play an important role in supporting the executive team in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation and representing University Hospitals Tees within the wider health and care system.
Person specification
Qualifications/Professional Registration
Essential criteria
13. Educated to Master's degree level or senior executive leadership qualification
14. Substantial, demonstrable evidence of continuous professional and personal development at Board level.
15. Proven, substantial executive Board-level leadership experience within a large, complex NHS acute healthcare organisation (, Chief Executive, Chief Delivery Officer, or equivalent accountable role).
16. Extensive experience operating at system level (, within an Integrated Care System (ICS) or Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP)), demonstrating deep understanding of integrated care and partnership working.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
17. Substantial Strategic Leadership: Proven track record of successfully developing, gaining Board approval for, and delivering major strategic transformation programmes across multiple complex organisations or systems within the NHS
18. NHS Acute Sector Expertise: Deep understanding of the policy context, operational challenges, financial frameworks, regulatory requirements (CQC, NHS England), and cultural dynamics specific to NHS acute trusts.
19. Clinical Quality & Performance: Significant experience leading complex clinical quality improvement initiatives and performance delivery at scale, including setting high standards for patient safety and experience, and utilising data for assurance and improvement.
20. Financial Acumen: Proven experience managing very large, complex budgets (£500m+) within the NHS, developing long-term financial strategies, and ensuring transformation delivers efficiency and sustainability.
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.
At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.
We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Supporting disabled people and people with longterm conditions
We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.
This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at or call us on 01642 854610
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.