Overview
In a newly refreshed role, we are looking for an outstanding individual who brings robust experience in aligned fields, is used to working in a challenging but rewarding environment, enjoys leadership, and is genuinely driven by the cause of St John. As Lead Director, you will hold overall responsibility and accountability for the Healthcare Operations Directorate encompassing Event Healthcare, Ambulance Operations and Community Healthcare delivery.
Responsibilities
* Drive the commercial ambition of the portfolio, shaping strategy, setting direction, and delivering against stretching targets.
* Work closely with volunteer leaders across the organisation, forging strong partnerships that strengthen our impact.
* Take the lead on engagement with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and key external partners, regulators, stakeholders and commissioners.
* Champion innovative, high‑quality, patient‑centred services that are reliable, financially viable, effective and continuously improving.
* Provide visible, motivational leadership across the directorate, embedding HEART values and positioning services as an employer of choice beyond the NHS.
* Share collective responsibility for delivering the charity's strategic objectives, while confidently managing a significant P&L of approximately £20m+.
* Ensure that services are patient focused, responsive, safe, effective, well‑led, and sustainable, and maintain CQC leadership and the highest standards of delivery.
* Role model, empower and enable people, championing compassionate, ethical and accountable leadership and St John HEART values.
* Inspire excellence, compassion and commitment in the leadership team.
* Collaborate with key colleagues to develop effective business and commercial development and marketing strategies that drive revenue surplus, enhance market share, and strengthen brand value.
* Establish and drive continuous improvement of KPIs and dashboards across teams, ensuring compliance with all Healthcare Operations contracts and acting on customer/stakeholder feedback.
* Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders, partners and customers to position the Charity to capitalise on potential business and funding opportunities.
Qualifications
You will be degree‑educated (with a relevant master's desirable) and ideally hold a clinical qualification such as Registered Paramedic. You bring substantial senior leadership experience in large, complex organisations, a strong track record in delivering ambulance or health service strategies, leading in CQC‑regulated environments, and managing a commercial operation of £20m+ with full P&L accountability. You have experience shaping effective policies and processes, leading large staff and volunteer teams, and delivering complex change programmes. Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and people‑centred leadership skills, underpinned by emotional intelligence and collaboration, are essential.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,300 employees and over 28,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning.
About St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We develop and provide effective community response and outreach services, including Ambulance Operations and training programmes. We also operate a social enterprise network delivering first aid training and supplies. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and ensuring we reflect the communities we serve. We have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and foster a sense of belonging for all.
Benefits
* Competitive salary and pension scheme
* 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing to 38 days over 5 years
* Hybrid, flexible working
* Cycle to work scheme, Electric Vehicle Scheme
* Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
* Blue Light and NHS discounts, plus discounts on mobile phones, gym memberships, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping
Password Requirements
All successful applicants will undergo pre‑employment checks, including DBS clearance, as part of the onboarding process where applicable.
Security & Data Protection
* Minimum 12 characters
* Minimum 1 number
* Minimum 1 uppercase or special character
Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.
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