Chief Operating Officer (COO)NHS

Job summary

Lead with Purpose. Inspire with Compassion. Deliver with Impact.

At Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, we are driven by a shared purpose: to help people live healthier, happier lives.

As we embark on a new chapter in our journey toward inclusive excellence and equity in healthcare, we are inviting a values-led, courageous and collaborative leader to join our executive team as Chief Operating Officer.

This is more than a Board-level role. Its a unique opportunity to influence the lives of our patients, families, colleagues and communities through compassionate leadership, a focus on performance delivery and a commitment to equity, quality and inclusion.

We Offer

• A place for you to be a part of a highly engaged and supportive Executive Team and Trust Board.
• The chance to lead in an environment where your lived experience and leadership style are recognised as assets
• Strong links across the Foundation Group of Trusts, alongside excellent relationships with system partners.
• Access to mentorship, leadership development, and peer support
• A Trust actively committed to building diverse, representative leadership at the highest levels

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a leader who reflects the communities we serve and embodies our shared values: Being open and honest, ensuring people feel cared for and showing respect for everyone.

You will have:

• A track record of successful delivery of large-scale operational services in a complex NHS or healthcare environment.
• Deep understanding of NHS strategy, performance, and quality improvement.
• Proven ability to lead teams through change with compassion, clarity, and resilience.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and high-performing organisational culture.
• Demonstrable success in driving service transformation and delivering measurable improvement in outcomes.

Whether you already hold a Board role or are ready to take that next step, were looking for someone who is grounded in their values, committed to equity, and ready to lead transformation through collaboration.

Job description

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Trusts operational plan and performance, delivering against the targets set within the NHS oversight framework whilst providing Executive leadership to our clinical Care Groups. The post holder leads the delivery of high-quality clinical services coordinated through our divisions, emergency, elective, cancer, diagnostic, and outpatient services, and performance management across the Trust.

The COO will lead the delivery of high quality of care in line with our vision, strategic objectives and commitment to our shared Values. This means ensuring that services are continuously improved to meet the needs of our patients, ensuring that services are financially sustainable in the long term and optimise the benefits of digital innovation.

The post holder will develop a professional culture that supports, attracts, nurtures, develops and retains a compassionate, skilled and flexible workforce. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion in all its forms, role modelling our values through their actions and actively leading continuous clinical and quality improvement.

The post holder will be an executive, non- voting, member of the Board of Directors and report to the Managing Director.

Please view a full Job Description document uploaded to this advert in Supporting Information and use the link to the Trust's Working for Us pages for more information

Recruitment Timeline:

Interview Day for those then selected is planned for Friday 2nd October

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's purpose is to help people in the communities we care for enjoy healthier, happier lives.

As a significant healthcare provider in our community, we are focused on working in partnership to deliver joined-up services that best meet the needs of our population.

This is an exciting and pivotal time to join our Trust.

With our refreshed strategy for 2025 to 2030 in place, were investing in major clinical developments, digital innovation, and service transformation across our sites. You'll have the opportunity to shape the future of care for our communities while working alongside a committed and compassionate team.

We're also proud to foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to lead. We believe diverse perspectives make us stronger and were building a workplace where everyone can thrive.

We're especially keen to hear from leaders from underrepresented backgrounds in NHS senior leadership, including those from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities, those with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ professionals. We are committed to creating a Trust where everyone can thrive.

We're an inclusive employer and proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We're a Disability Confident Employer, and applications from individuals with lived experience of inequality or discrimination are especially welcome. Adjustments during recruitment will be made wherever possible