Job summary
This is a major opportunity for an inspirational and motivated operational leader to join Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (WHT) and support our commitment to the ongoing provision of outstanding care to all patients within both the Acute Trust and the Community setting.If you are an experienced operational leader, with proven leadership skills, now looking to develop your executive career, this exciting and demanding opportunity will be just what you are looking for!
Our new Chief Operating Officer will play a pivotal role at the forefront of ensuring the delivery of operational excellence and leading the continuous improvement of our services. As our Chief Operating Officer you will work closely with other WHT Board colleagues, as well as with the wider Group Executive team.
You will also work with our system partners, helping to improve the health outcomes for local people and making the Black Country a healthier place with healthier people and healthier futures.
We are looking for a values based candidate, with proven leadership skills, a track record of service improvement.
Please contact Gayle Nightingale, at gayle.nightingale@nhs.net and on 07905903075 for more information about the role.
Advert Close: Sunday, 13 July 2025
Shortlisting: 22nd July 2025
Stakeholders: Monday 4th August
Interviews: Thursday 7th August
Main duties of the job
The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the delivery of the services of the Trust within the quality parameters agreed with the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, to meet the Trust's and the NHS performance targets, within budget. The postholder is the principal advisor to the CEO and the Board on all operational matters.
Professional leadership of Hospital Management
Operational Management of Clinical Divisions
Capacity Management of Emergency, Elective, Cancer, Diagnostic and Outpatient Services
Performance Management and delivery across the Trust
Modernisation of clinical processes, practices and services
Responsibility for Financial control of Hospital Services through Divisional Managers and Divisional Directors.
Urgent & Emergency Care Lead
Trustee of the Endowment Funds
Accountable Emergency Officer (AEO) for EPRR
About us
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated provider of acute and community services for Walsall's diverse population of around 284,000 people. Our main site, Manor Hospital, resides in the heart of the town and as a District General Hospital, we primarily serve the immediate population of Walsall, with some patients requiring more specialised treatment at neighbouring Trusts. This includes The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, with whom we have been working closely with under a shared leadership team.
In the autumn of 2022, the Trust launched its new, five-year strategy. This is a joint strategy with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust which recognises the closer working relationship between the two organisations. The development of the new strategy encompassed a new set of strategic objectives as well as a new vision.
Our vision, chosen by our colleagues, is to 'To deliver exceptional caretogether to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities'.Our values remain unchanged: Compassion, Respect, Professionalism, Teamwork. These values were chosen by our staff who work to embed them into the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategy
Work with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board, particularly in bringing an operational perspective to the development of the Trusts strategic direction in relation to the provision of healthcare, teaching and research.
Financial Management
Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure a robust process for agreeing, monitoring and delivering robust financial targets.
Corporate and Clinical Governance
Strengthen the Trusts governance culture and foster a spirit of learning and innovation in all that the Trust does.
Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response
Has executive authority and responsibility for ensuring the Trust complies with legal and policy requirements.
System Leadership
Act as Lead Chief Operating Officer on behalf of the Black Country ICS and/or Black Country Provider Collaborative for defined programmes of work as agreed (such as Urgent & Emergency Care or Elective care or Cancer care etc)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategy
Work with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board, particularly in bringing an operational perspective to the development of the Trusts strategic direction in relation to the provision of healthcare, teaching and research.
Financial Management
Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure a robust process for agreeing, monitoring and delivering robust financial targets.
Corporate and Clinical Governance
Strengthen the Trusts governance culture and foster a spirit of learning and innovation in all that the Trust does.
Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response
Has executive authority and responsibility for ensuring the Trust complies with legal and policy requirements.
System Leadership
Act as Lead Chief Operating Officer on behalf of the Black Country ICS and/or Black Country Provider Collaborative for defined programmes of work as agreed (such as Urgent & Emergency Care or Elective care or Cancer care etc)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Level qualification in relevant subject area, or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable record of continuous professional development
Key Competencies
Essential
- Well developed communication and influencing skills
- Able to lead and work in multi disciplinary teams
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Successful track record at Director/Senior Management Level, including exposure to Board Level in a large complex organisation.
- An understanding of key NHS Service Performance Standards
NHS Leadership Competency
Essential
- The skills and Knowledge Driving high-quality and sustainable outcomes
- The skills needed for setting strategy and delivering long-term transformation
- Ability to review plans topPromoting equality and inclusion, and reducing health and workforce inequalities
- Skills and behaviours needed to create a compassionate, just and positive culture
- Ability to collaborate and building a trusted relationship with partners and communities
- Significant evidence of providing robust governance and assurance in decision making and ensuring patient safety
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Level qualification in relevant subject area, or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable record of continuous professional development
Key Competencies
Essential
- Well developed communication and influencing skills
- Able to lead and work in multi disciplinary teams
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Successful track record at Director/Senior Management Level, including exposure to Board Level in a large complex organisation.
- An understanding of key NHS Service Performance Standards
NHS Leadership Competency
Essential
- The skills and Knowledge Driving high-quality and sustainable outcomes
- The skills needed for setting strategy and delivering long-term transformation
- Ability to review plans topPromoting equality and inclusion, and reducing health and workforce inequalities
- Skills and behaviours needed to create a compassionate, just and positive culture
- Ability to collaborate and building a trusted relationship with partners and communities
- Significant evidence of providing robust governance and assurance in decision making and ensuring patient safety
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.
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.
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).
