Band 8C Associate Director of Operations

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

A large healthcare provider in London is seeking an experienced Associate Director of Operations. This role is pivotal in setting the operational strategy, ensuring excellent customer service, and navigating resource challenges. The ideal candidate has significant operational management experience, strong leadership skills, and a background in strategic planning. This full-time role offers a competitive salary ranging from £85,431 to £97,148 per annum, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Generous benefits

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant business-related operational management experience.
• Staff management & leadership of a team.
• Experience in a politically charged environment.
• Strategic planning and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Set and implement the operational strategy for the PPU.
• Ensure seamless customer experience to enhance financial performance.
• Navigate resource allocation across departments and specialties.

Skills

Operational management

Customer service

Strategic planning

Data quality control

Leadership

Financial control

Influencing

Education

Degree or equivalent

MBA qualification

Job description

Job summary

This role is for an experienced operational leader seeking a position beyond that of a usual NHS management role. The individual will be an astute leader who possesses significant understanding of, and ability to, apply operational management alongside impeccable customer service provision in a commercial environment. The Associate Director of Operations will be an integral part of the PPU board as the subject matter expert for operational management and will report to the Managing Director. We work hard to achieve great things, because we believe you get out what you put in.

Main duties of the job

Full details of the job and responsibilities of this role are in the job description attached to this advertisement. The postholder will proactively set, transform and implement the operational strategy for the PPU always employing lateral thinking to ensure flawless business continuity. An inherent understanding that customers should experience a seamless journey must underpin all activity, which will subsequently translate into a healthy financial position with maximised contributions and profitability. The role will require an individual who is able to make strategic leadership decisions regarding operational aspects within the unit. They must constantly and constructively challenge 'the way things are done', taking an innovative approach which sets the RFL NHS PPU apart from competitors, giving the business unit an operational edge. The post holder will be a natural networker, able to work with others across departments, specialties and geographical locations to negotiate access to finite capacity resources, maximising their value to the greatest extent for all involved. A continuous improvement mindset must be employed so that the status quo is always reviewed with critical thinking.

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. The Royal Free London NHS FT believes in developing talent so the successful individual will be supported with any relevant training and mentorship necessary for success in the role. We are seeking an astute, talented leader so if this sounds like you and you are looking for a position where you are valued, developed and constructively challenged every day, then don't miss out on this opportunity.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top

For more information please follow linkhttps://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Details Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£85,431 to £97,148 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

391-RFL-7342376

Job locations

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

London

NW3 2QG

Job description Job responsibilities

Full details of the job and responsibilities of this role are in the job description. This role will form an integral part of the PPU senior leadership board and will play a vital role in the financial sustainability of the Royal Free London NHS FT.

Job description Job responsibilities

Full details of the job and responsibilities of this role are in the job description. This role will form an integral part of the PPU senior leadership board and will play a vital role in the financial sustainability of the Royal Free London NHS FT.

Person Specification Royal Free World Class Values Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Qualification Essential

• Degree or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continuing personal development
• MBA qualification

Desirable

• Post graduate management qualification

Experience Essential

• Significant business-related operational management experience, ideally in the private or service sector
• Staff management & leadership of a team
• Working in a politically charged environment where influence is more important than control
• Leading and managing complex change within a complex environment
• Strategic planning and project management
• Managing large and complex budgets
• Demonstrable ability to write complex business cases with multiple variables
• Devising and managing adherence to KPIs

Desirable

• Delivery of large customer care improvement programmes
• Private healthcare administrative operations experience
• Billing and credit control experience
• Experience of NHS Overseas Visitors finance

Skills and knowledge Essential

• Able to articulate and deliver a strong operational model in relation to customer administration and financial controlAble to articulate and deliver a strong operational model in relation to customer administration and financial control
• Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and within resources
• Strong grip of data quality and quality control incl. KPIs
• Expert communication skills
• Demonstrated advanced ability influencing and negotiating
• Partnership & collaborative working ability with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to achieve effective team-working within the division and across divisions
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk
• Highly numerate, literate, analytical and able to use business intelligence effectively

Desirable

• Knowledge of Overseas Visitors and NHS PPU financial systems

Aptitudes and personal characteristics Essential

• Inquisitive and constructively critical
• Strategic thinker
• Customer-focused with a human approach to decision-making
• A continuous improvement approach to all work practices
• Driven to succeed and exceed expectations
• Optimistic and positive
• Gregarious, affable and amiable
• Expert listener who is always consciously present
• Able to work under pressure, flexibly in a dynamic environment
• Excellent role model for leadership (incl. healthy work/life balance)
• Resilient
• Ability to provide and accept constructive criticism
• Organised with an impeccable attention to detail
• Self-aware & reflective
• Confident in dealing with difficult customers

Person Specification Royal Free World Class Values Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Qualification Essential

• Degree or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continuing personal development
• MBA qualification

Desirable

• Post graduate management qualification

Experience Essential

• Significant business-related operational management experience, ideally in the private or service sector
• Staff management & leadership of a team
• Working in a politically charged environment where influence is more important than control
• Leading and managing complex change within a complex environment
• Strategic planning and project management
• Managing large and complex budgets
• Demonstrable ability to write complex business cases with multiple variables
• Devising and managing adherence to KPIs

Desirable

• Delivery of large customer care improvement programmes
• Private healthcare administrative operations experience
• Billing and credit control experience
• Experience of NHS Overseas Visitors finance

Skills and knowledge Essential

• Able to articulate and deliver a strong operational model in relation to customer administration and financial controlAble to articulate and deliver a strong operational model in relation to customer administration and financial control
• Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and within resources
• Strong grip of data quality and quality control incl. KPIs
• Expert communication skills
• Demonstrated advanced ability influencing and negotiating
• Partnership & collaborative working ability with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to achieve effective team-working within the division and across divisions
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk
• Highly numerate, literate, analytical and able to use business intelligence effectively

Desirable

• Knowledge of Overseas Visitors and NHS PPU financial systems

Aptitudes and personal characteristics Essential

• Inquisitive and constructively critical
• Strategic thinker
• Customer-focused with a human approach to decision-making
• A continuous improvement approach to all work practices
• Driven to succeed and exceed expectations
• Optimistic and positive
• Gregarious, affable and amiable
• Expert listener who is always consciously present
• Able to work under pressure, flexibly in a dynamic environment
• Excellent role model for leadership (incl. healthy work/life balance)
• Resilient
• Ability to provide and accept constructive criticism
• Organised with an impeccable attention to detail
• Self-aware & reflective
• Confident in dealing with difficult customers

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

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

London

NW3 2QG

Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street

London

NW3 2QG

Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)