Job summary
Are you keen to lead exciting transformational and strategic change with the 10-year neighbourhood plan for Primary and community services?
An exciting opportunity is available to join West Kent Primary Care (WKPC) as a Head of Operations & Strategy.
We are seeking an experienced and visionary individual to lead our clinical and operational teams ensuring the delivery of exceptional patient care. We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-driven individual who is a team player, with strong leadership skills, excellent communication skills and a professional approach that demonstrates our values.
The post holder will lead, direct, and manage the development of strategic and operational policy within WKPC, whilst remaining responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations delivered by clinical service managers. In collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Senior management team (SMT) the post holder will lead the development of new services whilst considering future opportunities to expand WKPC to support primary care.
We are happy to facilitate informal discussions about the role. Please contact us and ask for Claire Ratnayake (Chief Executive Officer)
Interview date: 20 March 2026
Successful candidates will be invited to a panel interview with a presentation element.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be pivotal to overseeing and implementing change to ensure WKPC continues to support practices/Primary care networks as they move into neighborhoods working with other local system providers in West Kent such as the Kent Community Health Trust, the Mental Health Trust, the voluntary sector and the local authority. WKPC will look to support Primary care to display and engage with a collaborative integrated approach across services, ensuring innovation and creativity is always present within transformation of services.
This is an exciting time to join WKPC during a period of strategic growth and expansion. The post holder will have the opportunity to lead on major collaborative activities across the West Kent footprint and work in partnership with providers across the Health Care Partnership (HCP).
This post will report into the CEO and support the Director of Finance and Director of Nursing & Quality who form the SMT. They will also work closely with the governance, workforce and digital teams to communicate and embed strategic direction and organisational change in West Kent community and Primary care services. You will participate in the manager on-call arrangements to ensure that effective leadership is in place to support the delivery of safe operational services.
About us
West Kent Primary Care will act as employer for this role. We are a collaborative and ambitious GP Federation working with GP practices across Sevenoaks, Weald, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Malling, and Maidstone to improve General Practice provision in the area. West Kent Primary Care are a supportive and friendly organisation whose aim is to provide high quality, seamless health care that enables people to lead healthier lives, whilst feeling supported and cared for.
Our Values:
* Respect
* Kindness
* Communication
* Collaboration
What we can offer:
* Favourable terms and conditions
* Match NHS Annual Leave entitlement
* NEST and NHS Pension
* A comprehensive induction into the company followed by a local induction to introduce you to the role
* Training, support, and development in your career
* Flexible working arrangements
* Recognition via Employee of the Month scheme
* Wellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme
*Due to travel requirements for the role it would be beneficial for applicants to have a full driving license
Office Contact:
Details
Date posted
06 February 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£76,965 to £88,682 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
E0008-WKF274
Job locations
Hospice In The Weald
Maidstone Road
Pembury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN2 4TA
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead strategic planning, operational oversight, and implementation of comprehensive service strategies integrating digital, financial, workforce, and governance aims. Track progress against objectives and ensure benefits realisation
Oversee day-to-day operations of federation services (e.g. Post-Viral, frailty pathways, diabetes, UTC support, enhanced access), monitor KPIs such as referral volumes, waiting times, utilisation, and savings
Bid/Tender Process and Contract Management. Lead preparation and submission of bids/tenders for new services, manage full contract lifecycle including negotiation, SLAs with ICB/External partners, performance reporting, renewals, and compliance with CQC/NHS England standards
Line manage Clinical Services Managers/Leads/Operations/Admin/pharmacy staff. Support recruitment, training, appraisals, caseloads, and contingency planning for peaks/troughs, personal development and, where appropriate, resolve any disciplinary or capability issues
Drive service transitions, digital transformation (EMIS/CoordinateRx/EPR), MDT coordination, and quality improvements
Chair operational groups, maintain and monitor operational risk registers (operational/strategic risks), support incident investigations, and present Board-level reports on performance/risks/mitigations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead strategic planning, operational oversight, and implementation of comprehensive service strategies integrating digital, financial, workforce, and governance aims. Track progress against objectives and ensure benefits realisation
Oversee day-to-day operations of federation services (e.g. Post-Viral, frailty pathways, diabetes, UTC support, enhanced access), monitor KPIs such as referral volumes, waiting times, utilisation, and savings
Bid/Tender Process and Contract Management. Lead preparation and submission of bids/tenders for new services, manage full contract lifecycle including negotiation, SLAs with ICB/External partners, performance reporting, renewals, and compliance with CQC/NHS England standards
Line manage Clinical Services Managers/Leads/Operations/Admin/pharmacy staff. Support recruitment, training, appraisals, caseloads, and contingency planning for peaks/troughs, personal development and, where appropriate, resolve any disciplinary or capability issues
Drive service transitions, digital transformation (EMIS/CoordinateRx/EPR), MDT coordination, and quality improvements
Chair operational groups, maintain and monitor operational risk registers (operational/strategic risks), support incident investigations, and present Board-level reports on performance/risks/mitigations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree or similar Qualification in Health/Management or related subject
* Advanced programme and project management skills including Prince 2 or equivalent
Desirable
* Post graduate qualification at diploma or masters level
* Current professional registration
* Leadership qualification or extensive experience in leadership roles
Experience
Essential
* Senior operations leadership in NHS primary care/PCN/ICB
* Complex pathways and performance turnaround
* ICB contracting/MDT bids/tenders
Desirable
* Board-level reporting transformational change in sensitive environments
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree or similar Qualification in Health/Management or related subject
* Advanced programme and project management skills including Prince 2 or equivalent
Desirable
* Post graduate qualification at diploma or masters level
* Current professional registration
* Leadership qualification or extensive experience in leadership roles
Experience
Essential
* Senior operations leadership in NHS primary care/PCN/ICB
* Complex pathways and performance turnaround
* ICB contracting/MDT bids/tenders
Desirable
* Board-level reporting transformational change in sensitive environments
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.
Employer details
Employer name
West Kent Primary Care
Address
Hospice In The Weald
Maidstone Road
Pembury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN2 4TA
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
West Kent Primary Care
Address
Hospice In The Weald
Maidstone Road
Pembury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN2 4TA
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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