Chief Operating Officer

NHS; Reading; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists for an operationally-experienced leader to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Berkshire West Primary Care Alliance in Reading. This pivotal role involves overseeing the operational delivery of high-quality healthcare services, ensuring strategic objectives are effectively translated into practice. A strong candidate will possess a master's degree and significant experience in the healthcare sector, demonstrating leadership qualities and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in healthcare or primary care operations.
• Proven leadership skills in a complex healthcare environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day delivery of services across the Alliance.
• Translate strategy into effective operational plans and outcomes.
• Lead performance management and governance functions.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Management

Strategic Planning

Financial Oversight

People Management

Education

Masters degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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.

Details Date posted

29 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£74,290 to £85,601 a year Depending on Experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

21 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A3584-25-0000

Job locations

C/O Boathouse Surgery, Whitchurch Road

Pangbourne

Reading

RG8 7DP

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.

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire West Primary Care Alliance

Address

C/O Boathouse Surgery, Whitchurch Road

Pangbourne

Reading

RG8 7DP

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire West Primary Care Alliance

Address

C/O Boathouse Surgery, Whitchurch Road

Pangbourne

Reading

RG8 7DP

Employer's website

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