Job overview
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) is a senior executive role within the COO portfolio, providing visible operational leadership and delegated authority across day‑to‑day delivery, performance and productivity. The role strengthens Trust‑wide performance management, establishing effective grip and control, assuring delivery of recovery trajectories, and supporting rapid resolution of operational issues.
The DCOO works across urgent and emergency care, elective recovery, diagnostics, patient flow and discharge, and major improvement programmes, supporting delivery of constitutional standards and reduced operational risk. A core focus is driving productivity and pathway improvement, including workforce productivity, theatre and outpatient utilisation, length of stay reduction, improved discharge processes and value for money, working closely with divisional teams and corporate enabling functions.
Within a two‑deputy model, the DCOO will hold a defined portfolio aligned to experience, typically focused on either Unscheduled Care and Flow or Planned Care, Productivity and Transformation, ensuring clear accountability and effective executive oversight.
Main duties of the job
The duties and responsibilities listed below should be undertaken in accordance with the levels of competence and with the delegated authority of the COO. The post holder will deliver their agreed portfolio responsibilities (e.g., Unscheduled Care & Flow or Planned Care, Productivity & Transformation) and will work collaboratively with the other Deputy COO to ensure seamless executive cover, consistent performance grip and delivery of Trust-wide improvement programmes. In addition, all staff are expected to act in accordance with the values and behaviours of our organisation.
Working for our organisation
We have around 9000 colleagues delivering care across our hospitals and communities. We support 370,000 people locally and provide specialist services for 1.5 million people across Lancashire and Cumbria.
Working with us means your decisions and leadership will directly improve patient care and staff experience helping us thrive and deliver outstanding healthcare across our local towns and beyond.
Everything you need to know is here:
Theres never been a more important time to join us. Youll need strong operational leadership experience, confidence working with performance and information, and the ability to drive improvement at pace balancing flow, elective recovery and productivity with safe day-to-day delivery.
Well support your development and give you the space to grow with opportunities to lead Trust-wide programmes, work with system partners and broaden your executive experience.
We welcome conversations about how you can maximise your impact in this role, including opportunities for professional development and exposure at place and system level.
Weve moved to a more agile approach, and worklife balance is important to us please feel free to discuss what flexibility you may need.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Katie Foster-Greenwood, Chief Operating Officer, on:
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
With delegated authority from the COO, you'll help lead the day-to-day operational running and performance of services across the Trust. You'll work closely with Divisional Directors, Nursing Directors, Medical Directors and clinical and corporate teams to remove barriers, resolve constraints and deliver agreed recovery and improvement plans. Depending on portfolio, your focus will include: urgent and emergency care, site flow and escalation, complex discharge and system interfaces; and/or planned care, theatres, outpatients, diagnostics/RTT recovery, productivity and transformation programmes.
You'll deputise for the COO as required including leadership during operational escalation, incident response and winter pressures and provide visible senior leadership seven days a week. You'll lead and coordinate Trust-wide performance management arrangements, ensuring clear decision rights, strong governance and disciplined delivery, with robust tracking of outcomes and benefits.
A key part of the role is building a culture of improvement and accountability, underpinned by our values. You'll assure delivery of agreed performance indicators and recovery trajectories, reduce unwarranted variation and support divisions to improve clinical efficiency and productivity (including workforce productivity, theatre and outpatient utilisation, and length of stay). You'll also help develop and embed an operational management talent development programme strengthening capability and succession across our divisions.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
1. Masters qualification
2. Management qualification or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
3. Experience at a Divisional Director level within NHS organization(s) of significant size or multi-site provision
4. Detailed knowledge of Clinical Governance and risk management / emerging national policy re: health and social care / legislation relating to health and social care and organisation of health and social care in UK
5. Business and performance management / People and organisational development
6. Extensive proven experience at senior management (or just below Board level) with strategic, operational and financial management responsibility.
7. Significant demonstrable experience of strategic planning and delivering long term transformation that delivers lasting change and improvement.
8. Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues across teams, providers, system service users and communities.
9. Experience of developing implementing and sustaining measures to improve efficiency and productivity.
10. Experience of contributing to effective governance and risk management arrangements that ensures patient safety.
11. Proven experience of building partnerships and alliances both internal and external to the Trust
12. Proven experience of negotiating complex contracts, managing customer expectations, influencing commissioning decisions and developing business case.
13. A track record of leading and delivering sustainable and measurable change coupled with the ability to engage others in delivering these results
Desirable criteria
14. Experience at a Divisional Director level within an NHS organisation(s) who provide tertiary services
15. Previous experience as a Deputy COO.