Job summary
Are you an experienced
and dynamic operational leader with a passion for improving healthcare
delivery? Do you have the ability to translate strategic ambitions into
practical, high-quality services that support general practice and local
population health?
If so, this is an
exciting opportunity to shape the future of primary care as Chief Operating
Officer (COO) of Berkshire West Primary Care Alliance (BWPCA).
Main duties of the job
About
the Role
The COO provides executive leadership for the
operational delivery of BWPCA, with responsibility for ensuring that strategic
objectives are effectively translated into high-quality, sustainable services.
Reporting to the Managing Director and the Board, the COO oversees performance,
workforce development, finance, HR, and governance ensuring that services
remain efficient, patient-centred, and financially robust.
This role is pivotal
in making strategy a reality. While the Managing Director leads the strategic
agenda, the COO ensures the systems, teams, and processes are in place to
deliver against it. The role requires someone with proven leadership and
operational management skills, combined with an ability to work collaboratively
across primary care and wider system partners.
You will also be a key
member of the Executive Team, working alongside the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), Managing Director, Programme Lead, and Board to develop and implement
the BWPCA Business Plan and support continuous service improvement.
You will act as a
nominated individual under CQC registration and will deputise for the MD and
CEO as needed.
About us
Berkshire West Primary
Care Alliance (BWPCA) is the collaborative voice of general practice across the
Berkshire West Place within the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire
West (BOB) Integrated Care System. We bring together GP practices and Primary
Care Networks (PCNs) to work at scale, enabling innovation, influencing system
change, and delivering services that meet the needs of our local populations.
BWPCA plays a vital
role in shaping the future of primary care by strengthening partnerships,
developing the workforce, and ensuring general practice is a central and equal
partner in integrated care. Our work supports sustainability, equity, and
improved outcomes for patients across Reading, Wokingham, and West Berkshire.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee day-to-day delivery of services and programmes across the Alliance
- Translate strategy into effective operational plans and outcomes
- Lead performance management, HR, financial oversight, and governance functions
- Provide timely and accurate operational data and intelligence to support decision-making
- Maintain strong relationships with PCNs, practices, and system stakeholders
- Act as a key point of contact for operational risk, delivery assurance, and contracted services
- Support the on-call rota and ensure leadership coverage beyond core hours
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and high performance
- Deputise for the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer as required
About You
We are seeking a highly motivated operational leader who brings:
- Significant experience in healthcare or primary care operations
- Strong people management, financial, and planning skills
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach to delivering services in complex systems
- The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining oversight and assurance
- A collaborative mindset and commitment to the values of general practice and integrated care
If you are driven by delivering real impact for practices and patients and want to be part of a forward-thinking and values-led organisation, we would love to hear from you.
For a detailed overview of the job, please refer
to the attached job description document.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee day-to-day delivery of services and programmes across the Alliance
- Translate strategy into effective operational plans and outcomes
- Lead performance management, HR, financial oversight, and governance functions
- Provide timely and accurate operational data and intelligence to support decision-making
- Maintain strong relationships with PCNs, practices, and system stakeholders
- Act as a key point of contact for operational risk, delivery assurance, and contracted services
- Support the on-call rota and ensure leadership coverage beyond core hours
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and high performance
- Deputise for the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer as required
About You
We are seeking a highly motivated operational leader who brings:
- Significant experience in healthcare or primary care operations
- Strong people management, financial, and planning skills
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach to delivering services in complex systems
- The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining oversight and assurance
- A collaborative mindset and commitment to the values of general practice and integrated care
If you are driven by delivering real impact for practices and patients and want to be part of a forward-thinking and values-led organisation, we would love to hear from you.
For a detailed overview of the job, please refer
to the attached job description document.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- Knowledge of partnership relationship management within integrated care systems.
- In-depth knowledge of operational management, financial planning, HR, and governance.
- Clear understanding of clinical governance, NHS regulations, and compliance frameworks.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of service improvement and transformation.
- Knowledge of primary care, PCNs, public sector, social care, or voluntary sector service models.
- Understanding of business continuity, risk management, and emergency preparedness.
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification (MBA, MSc, Leadership, or related).
Experience
Essential
- Senior operational leadership experience within a large, complex healthcare or related organisation. Including working experience working at Board level or with Boards.
- Proven track record of delivering high-quality services, achieving performance targets, and managing large multidisciplinary teams this should include working within primary care networks, federations, or community services.
- Extensive financial management and budget responsibility.
- Experience of developing and managing commercial partnerships.
- Experience leading service improvement, change management, and workforce development.
- Experience contributing to or leading integrated service delivery models.
- Experience of Digital Transformation, using novel and evolving technologies to improve service delivery and quality.
Desirable
- Ability to use digital tools for service management and data analysis (as a minimum).
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Strong leadership, people management, and team development skills. This should include being skilled at facilitating cross-sector collaboration
- Commercial acumen and ability to identify growth opportunities.
- Ability to analyse complex data and translate into operational strategy.
- Advanced communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Ability to manage competing demands and prioritise effectively.
- Politically astute with high emotional intelligence.
Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to BWPCAs mission, vision, and values.
- Solution-focused, resilient, and adaptable.
- Ability to work flexibly and travel as required.
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- Knowledge of partnership relationship management within integrated care systems.
- In-depth knowledge of operational management, financial planning, HR, and governance.
- Clear understanding of clinical governance, NHS regulations, and compliance frameworks.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of service improvement and transformation.
- Knowledge of primary care, PCNs, public sector, social care, or voluntary sector service models.
- Understanding of business continuity, risk management, and emergency preparedness.
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification (MBA, MSc, Leadership, or related).
Experience
Essential
- Senior operational leadership experience within a large, complex healthcare or related organisation. Including working experience working at Board level or with Boards.
- Proven track record of delivering high-quality services, achieving performance targets, and managing large multidisciplinary teams this should include working within primary care networks, federations, or community services.
- Extensive financial management and budget responsibility.
- Experience of developing and managing commercial partnerships.
- Experience leading service improvement, change management, and workforce development.
- Experience contributing to or leading integrated service delivery models.
- Experience of Digital Transformation, using novel and evolving technologies to improve service delivery and quality.
Desirable
- Ability to use digital tools for service management and data analysis (as a minimum).
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Strong leadership, people management, and team development skills. This should include being skilled at facilitating cross-sector collaboration
- Commercial acumen and ability to identify growth opportunities.
- Ability to analyse complex data and translate into operational strategy.
- Advanced communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Ability to manage competing demands and prioritise effectively.
- Politically astute with high emotional intelligence.
Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to BWPCAs mission, vision, and values.
- Solution-focused, resilient, and adaptable.
- Ability to work flexibly and travel as required.
- Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
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.
