Overview
Interview will be held on 13 October 2025. We are seeking an outstanding Chief Operating Officer to join the executive leadership team of our CQC Outstanding-rated NHS Trust, delivering high-quality mental health and community services. We’re proud to be one of the country’s top-performing, financially stable NHS Trusts with a highly skilled and passionate workforce who consistently rate us amongst the top Trusts for staff engagement in the NHS staff survey. This pivotal role will lead strategic and operational delivery of clinical services, ensuring safe, high-quality, and sustainable care for our patients. As a key Board member, you’ll shape our strategy, drive performance, and lead day-to-day operations aligned with CQC and regulatory standards. You’ll bring proven leadership in healthcare service transformation, operational excellence, and financial management across complex systems—alongside deep insight into the wider social care landscape. Our culture is built on care, commitment, and collaboration, with staff engagement at the heart of all we do. If you’re a values-driven leader who inspires teams and delivers operational excellence – we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Responsibilities
* As Chief Operating Officer and Executive Board member, you will lead the operational delivery of high-quality, safe, and efficient clinical services across the Trust.
* Working closely with the Medical Director and Director of Nursing and Therapies, you will ensure strong systems, effective clinical leadership, and performance against key targets and regulatory standards.
* You will drive service transformation, embed modern operational practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement aligned with our values.
* As a strategic partner, you’ll lead emergency preparedness, support ICS priorities, and represent the Trust in key system forums.
* You will oversee service planning, performance, and workforce delivery, ensure robust governance, and champion our Quality Improvement culture.
* As Executive Sponsor of one of our Staff Equality Networks, you’ll also play a vital role in advancing our inclusion and equity agenda.
* A highly visible leader with seven direct reports, you prioritise workforce engagement and culture across the trust.
* You’ll contribute to corporate strategy, system partnerships, and organisation-wide development, making a lasting difference.
* Lead executive on call duties on a rotational basis.
About Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Values
* Caring for and about you is our top priority
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services
* Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Benefits
* Flexible working options to support work-life balance
* 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
* Generous NHS pension scheme
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities
* Cycle to Work and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
* Free parking across Trust sites
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Karen Smythe | Job title: Business and Performance Manager | Email: DirectorofPeople@berkshire.nhs.uk
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