Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Operating Officer

The closing date is 28 October 2025

Job summary

We are delighted that you're considering joining us as our Chief Operating Officer. This is an exciting time for our organisation, and we are looking for someone who shares our passion for making a real difference in people's lives.

We're a Trust that's big enough to make an impact, but small enough to feel personal. We care deeply about our people - both those we support in the community and those who work with us. As our Chief Operating Officer, you'll play a key role in shaping our future, improving our culture, driving excellence, and helping us deliver compassionate, high-quality care every day.

The post holder must ensure that services are delivered within a culture of continuous improvement and safety and in line with our Trust values. They will be accountable for all aspects of operational service delivery and performance.

They will work collaboratively with other executives to optimise service performance and productivity, ensuring high quality care and rigorous resource management which supports the Trust's financial recovery programme.

The COO will also be accountable for the delivery of national and local key performance indicators, as well as compliance against Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) core standards.

Main duties of the job

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is accountable to the Chief Executive Officer and the Trust Board for the overall strategic and operational leadership of service delivery within the Trust.

The post holder must ensure that services are delivered within a culture of continuous improvement and safety and in line with our Trust values. They will be accountable for all aspects of operational service delivery and performance.

They will work collaboratively with other executives to optimise service performance and productivity, ensuring high quality care and rigorous resource management which supports the Trust's financial recovery programme.

Key relationships

Internal

Chair

Chief Executive

Executive and Non-Executive Directors

Chair of the Audit Committee

Board level Directors

NED Chairs of board subcommittees

Governors

Clinical Directors

Senior Clinicians, Directors, Associate

Directors and Managers

Internal auditors

External

Directors and Officers from partner organisations within the wider ICB cluster

Directors and Officers of stakeholder organisations

External auditors

Directors and Officers from other NHS Bodies

Directors and Officers from other statutory and regulatory bodies

Voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith (VCSEF) sector

About us

Why this role matters

We are an ambitious organisation, proud to advocate for and stand alongside our Black Country communities. As Chief Operating Officer, you'll be at the heart of operational delivery, strategic execution and compassionate leadership.

In organisations such as ours, care is often complex, multi-disciplinary and deeply personal. Operational leadership needs to balance delivery and performance targets with the human realities of recovery, wellbeing and dignity.

As the NHS embraces new models of care; shifting from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, you will play a pivotal role in leading that change locally. You will help shape and implement new care pathways, integrate services across systems and neighbourhoods, and ensure that innovation is embedded in practice.

You will help foster collaboration across clinical and corporate teams, build trust with partners, and ensure that our values are lived, not just stated. You will help create a culture of inclusion, hope, and recovery.

Ultimately, you will be part of a team that is accountable for delivering results that matter: improved patient outcomes, reduced inequalities, better access to care, and enhanced productivity. Your leadership will help ensure that every part of the organisation is aligned with its mission

This is your chance to make a lasting impact. To help us do our best for the Black Country, and for everyone who calls it home.

Details

Date posted

09 October 2025

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Salary to be determined by Non-Exec Trust Remuneration Committee

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

285-0810-COPR

Job locations

The Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

WV11SH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Core executive responsibilities

Executive director

Wholly participate in the role of the unitary Board of Directors in discharging its collective responsibilities for:

Providing active leadership to the Trust within a framework of robust and effective controls which enable risk to be evaluated and informed decision-making.

Ensuring compliance with the Trusts Terms of Authorisation, its Constitution, mandatory guidance issued by regulators, relevant statutory requirements and contractual obligations.

Setting the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust, taking into account the views of the Council of Governors and ensuring that the necessary human, physical and financial resources are in place for the Trust to meet its objectives and deliver on Trust-wide performance.

Ensuring the quality and safety of services, education and training and research delivered by the Trust, and applying the principles and standards of clinical governance.

Setting the Trusts values and standards of conduct, and ensuring its obligations to its members, service users and other stakeholders are understood and met.

Be objective and offer constructive challenge in forming the decisions of the Board in the interests of the Trust.

Accept joint and collective responsibility for the decisions of the Board.

Represent the Trust as required and authorised, in appropriate forums and events.

Work in partnership with other key stakeholders to ensure delivery of the Trusts key strategies.

Please download the accompanying Application Pack for a full

background to the role, further information and Job Descriptions and Person Specifications.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Core executive responsibilities

Executive director

Wholly participate in the role of the unitary Board of Directors in discharging its collective responsibilities for:

Providing active leadership to the Trust within a framework of robust and effective controls which enable risk to be evaluated and informed decision-making.

Ensuring compliance with the Trusts Terms of Authorisation, its Constitution, mandatory guidance issued by regulators, relevant statutory requirements and contractual obligations.

Setting the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust, taking into account the views of the Council of Governors and ensuring that the necessary human, physical and financial resources are in place for the Trust to meet its objectives and deliver on Trust-wide performance.

Ensuring the quality and safety of services, education and training and research delivered by the Trust, and applying the principles and standards of clinical governance.

Setting the Trusts values and standards of conduct, and ensuring its obligations to its members, service users and other stakeholders are understood and met.

Be objective and offer constructive challenge in forming the decisions of the Board in the interests of the Trust.

Accept joint and collective responsibility for the decisions of the Board.

Represent the Trust as required and authorised, in appropriate forums and events.

Work in partnership with other key stakeholders to ensure delivery of the Trusts key strategies.

Please download the accompanying Application Pack for a full

background to the role, further information and Job Descriptions and Person Specifications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • First degree or equivalent senior operational experience
  • Related masters' qualification or equivalent level of experience
  • Evidence of continuous personal and professional development

Desirable

  • Management qualification/related professional qualification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written
  • Effective influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to evaluate and act on complex performance and financial information
  • Able to develop effective partnerships and alliances
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Able to manage conflict and bring resolution
  • Demonstrable ability to develop, motivate and lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive senior leadership and management experience within the NHS or similar body, preferably at Board level
  • Experience of leading a diverse range of complex services with a track record of delivering against key performance targets
  • Demonstrable experience of leading effective change in complex environments.
  • Demonstrable experience of managing large, complex budgets and delivering efficiency programmes
  • Track record of developing and implementing effective strategies
  • Extensive experience of developing effective networks and partnerships, and stakeholder management

Desirable

  • Experience of leading the integration of health and social care services

Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent understanding of NHS policy and governance.
  • Understanding of statutory and legal frameworks within which the NHS operates.
  • Understanding of problem solving and negotiation techniques.
  • Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and legislation linked to EDI

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Values demonstrably aligned to those of the Trust and NHS
  • Self-motivated and self-confident
  • Integrity and professionalism
  • Resilient and adaptable
  • A mindset of collaboration
  • Humility and a willingness to learn
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • First degree or equivalent senior operational experience
  • Related masters' qualification or equivalent level of experience
  • Evidence of continuous personal and professional development

Desirable

  • Management qualification/related professional qualification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written
  • Effective influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to evaluate and act on complex performance and financial information
  • Able to develop effective partnerships and alliances
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
  • Able to manage conflict and bring resolution
  • Demonstrable ability to develop, motivate and lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive senior leadership and management experience within the NHS or similar body, preferably at Board level
  • Experience of leading a diverse range of complex services with a track record of delivering against key performance targets
  • Demonstrable experience of leading effective change in complex environments.
  • Demonstrable experience of managing large, complex budgets and delivering efficiency programmes
  • Track record of developing and implementing effective strategies
  • Extensive experience of developing effective networks and partnerships, and stakeholder management

Desirable

  • Experience of leading the integration of health and social care services

Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent understanding of NHS policy and governance.
  • Understanding of statutory and legal frameworks within which the NHS operates.
  • Understanding of problem solving and negotiation techniques.
  • Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and legislation linked to EDI

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Values demonstrably aligned to those of the Trust and NHS
  • Self-motivated and self-confident
  • Integrity and professionalism
  • Resilient and adaptable
  • A mindset of collaboration
  • Humility and a willingness to learn

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

WV11SH


Employer's website

https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

WV11SH


Employer's website

https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CEO

Marsha Foster - (via Deborah Earl)

deborah.earl@nhs.net

07741628679

Details

Date posted

09 October 2025

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Salary to be determined by Non-Exec Trust Remuneration Committee

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

285-0810-COPR

Job locations

The Civic Centre

St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

WV11SH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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