Deputy Chief Operating Officer

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 109,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS organization in Plymouth is seeking a Deputy Chief Operating Officer to drive improvements in urgent and emergency care. This role requires extensive leadership experience in healthcare, focusing on operational management and performance improvement. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a graduate education, and experience managing substantial service change in complex environments.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership and operational management experience in healthcare.
• Demonstrable experience in complex service provider settings.
• Strong ability to manage change and lead substantial service developments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care Improvement Plan.
• Manage operational patient flow and lead cross-Care Group issues.
• Ensure delivery of key performance indicators effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Management

Interpersonal Skills

Project Management

Education

Graduate level education or clinical qualification

Post-graduate qualification (Masters/MBA)

Job description

Job summary

Are you looking for your next role but need to gain some more experience?

Are you aspiring to be a Chief Operating Officer within the next 2 years?

If yes, and you have significant experience working in an acute/integrated/complex operating environment within health and care, then we can help you on your journey. This is a rare opportunity to develop your portfolio in one of the most complex and rewarding health and care environments in the South West.

This is critical operational leadership role at a pivotal time in our improvement journey. You will lead the on Trust wide improvement initiatives including Winter, working with executive colleagues, Care Groups and system partners to drive sustainable change, enhance patient flow, and deliver national standards.

We're seeking an inclusive, credible, and experienced NHS leader with:

• Significant senior operational experience in acute, integrated, or complex care settings.
• A demonstrable track record of delivering performance improvement and operational transformation.
• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to command respect across clinical and managerial teams.
• A strong values base, emotional intelligence, and a leadership style that is collaborative, courageous and compassionate

We are particularly keen to support candidates looking to gain the final experience and exposure required to step into a substantive COO role.

Main duties of the job

Accountable to the Chief Operating Officer, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer will lead on the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care Improvement Plan and will:

o contribute to delivery of the Trust's strategic plan, by working in partnership with the Care Group teams and external organisations and commissioners, to achieve the Trust's corporate objectives and to make a positive contribution to the provision of health services across the local health economy.

o deputise with delegated authority for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and work closelywith the Care Group teams to ensure the safe and effective day to day operations of theorganisation are maintained.

o Lead and oversee the delivery of the Urgent & Emergency Care improvement program as a key priority.

This job description is intended as an outline of the areas of activity and can be amended in the light of the changing needs of the service and will be reviewed as necessary in conjunction with the post-holder.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£109,179 to £125,637 a year Per Annum (Salary will be dependent on experience)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-CB-A7341735

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Job description Job responsibilities

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer will: play a key leadership role within the organisation with a key priority and focus on system flow, including supporting large scale transformation. This will include the management offlow throughout the hospital and senior leadership of the hospitals site team. be responsible for ensuring the Escalation Policy and supporting processes are reviewedand updated regularly, communicating to all key stakeholders and ensuring accountability. lead operational patient flow; playing a key role in aligning delivery plans across CareGroups, acting as a mediator and where necessary, decision-maker between CareGroups on trust wide and cross-Care Group issues supporting decisions that maximiseimpact when there are competing priorities for both emergency and elective care. lead bed and operational capacity modelling work with the Performance Information teamand work with Care Group Managers on allocations. be expected to act independently, taking timely and at times, significant decisions toensure the operational delivery for the organisation, driving change and improvement bysupporting and influencing both the clinical service lines and corporate teams. be responsible for the troubleshooting and leading the planning for delivery of keyperformance indicators including the Accident and Emergency waiting time standards,referral to treatment times and cancer waiting times. They will lead major strategic projectsfor the COO across the organisation and the wider health economy. lead service developments and policy reviews in areas impacted by key performanceissues. manage the COO budget and delivery against cost saving plans in each of the COOareas.

Job description Job responsibilities

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer will: play a key leadership role within the organisation with a key priority and focus on system flow, including supporting large scale transformation. This will include the management offlow throughout the hospital and senior leadership of the hospitals site team. be responsible for ensuring the Escalation Policy and supporting processes are reviewedand updated regularly, communicating to all key stakeholders and ensuring accountability. lead operational patient flow; playing a key role in aligning delivery plans across CareGroups, acting as a mediator and where necessary, decision-maker between CareGroups on trust wide and cross-Care Group issues supporting decisions that maximiseimpact when there are competing priorities for both emergency and elective care. lead bed and operational capacity modelling work with the Performance Information teamand work with Care Group Managers on allocations. be expected to act independently, taking timely and at times, significant decisions toensure the operational delivery for the organisation, driving change and improvement bysupporting and influencing both the clinical service lines and corporate teams. be responsible for the troubleshooting and leading the planning for delivery of keyperformance indicators including the Accident and Emergency waiting time standards,referral to treatment times and cancer waiting times. They will lead major strategic projectsfor the COO across the organisation and the wider health economy. lead service developments and policy reviews in areas impacted by key performanceissues. manage the COO budget and delivery against cost saving plans in each of the COOareas.

Person Specification Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Extensive leadership and operational management demonstrable experience in a medium/large acute healthcare provider setting.
• Significant senior management demonstrable experience within a complex service provider organisation.
• Substantial management demonstrable experience and achievement at operational level and evidence of significant achievement in strategic level projects or work streams.
• Demonstrable experience of and ability to manage complex operational situations that involve staff from all levels within the organisation and across a range of professional and organisational boundaries.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing substantial service change and redesign in a complex environment.
• Detailed proven knowledge of current acute Trust issues and the regulatory Framework.
• Understanding of current NHS National Policies and their impact on provision of health care.
• Demonstrable experience of working with multi-agency committees and establishing relationships with external organisations.
• Demonstrable track record of achievement of performance management improvement and delivery at a senior management level.
• Significant demonstrable experience of budget and staff management.
• Demonstrable understanding of quality and risk management issues and standards.
• Demonstrable experience of managing major change projects and of delivering clinical and clinical support services during periods of change.
• Substantial demonstrable experience of preparing and presenting written briefings at a senior management level.
• Extensive proven knowledge of risk management systems and processes to address and mitigate clinical and operational risks.
• Expertise in management of acute flow.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of working in an integrated organisation or within a community health and social care setting.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and building research capacity and capability.
• Demonstrable experience of working at National / Regional system level.

Qualifications Essential

• Graduate level education and/or other clinical professional qualification
• Post-graduate qualification to Masters Degree/MBA or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Proven evidence of extensive and recent commitment to continuing professional development

Aptitude & Abilities Essential

• Ability to develop and deliver effective business and operational plans which are financially sound.
• Demonstrable experience of establishing productive relationships, communicating with and effectively engaging clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Skills in, and demonstrable experience of, influencing and enabling others to perform, and of effective performance management.
• Ability to operate effectively within difficult financial and performance challenges.
• Proven ability to plan/implement effective projects and work-streams.
• Professional, inclusive and credible leadership style.
• Demonstrable ability to use resources effectively and efficiently, and to maximise the skill set and experience of others.
• Skills in deploying a creative, evidence-based approach to provide and set direction.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups at a senior level across organisational boundaries and to act as a positive role model.
• Ability to drive for and achieve results across a broad range of key outcomes, maintaining patient focus and a high level of personal integrity at all times
• Ability to resolve conflict with teams and with users/stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Proven evidence of problem solving, strategic leadership and decision making skills.
• Demonstrable ability to achieve demanding objectives against deadlines.
• Ability to write and present Board papers which are meaningful and concise.
• Proven evidence of highly developed influencing, communication and negotiating skills.
• Ability to plan ahead and manage the translation of strategic intent into operational reality.
• Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels and with all staff groups.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Team worker with ability to relate to all grades of staff.
• Methodical with good attention to detail.
• IT skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Dispostion / Attitude / Motivation Essential

• Whilst confident, able to share vulnerabilities to build psychologically safe relationships.
• Self-aware and emotionally intelligent - understands and is reflective of impact on others.
• Is tenacious and resilient in the face of difficulty, combined with a willingness to listen and understand others viewpoints.
• Has personal integrity, works hard to build the trust of others.
• Calm whilst working within a busy environment, self-motivated and reliable.
• Understands how to work within a team and is knowledgeable about individual preferences and able to adapt and flex their approach to get the best from each.
• Understands what it means to lead with compassion. Adopts a coaching approach, with a belief that each individual approaches work with good intent.
• Proactive, takes own initiative.
• Analytical.
• Strategic planner.
• Results orientated.
• Discretion and tact.

Person Specification Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Extensive leadership and operational management demonstrable experience in a medium/large acute healthcare provider setting.
• Significant senior management demonstrable experience within a complex service provider organisation.
• Substantial management demonstrable experience and achievement at operational level and evidence of significant achievement in strategic level projects or work streams.
• Demonstrable experience of and ability to manage complex operational situations that involve staff from all levels within the organisation and across a range of professional and organisational boundaries.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing substantial service change and redesign in a complex environment.
• Detailed proven knowledge of current acute Trust issues and the regulatory Framework.
• Understanding of current NHS National Policies and their impact on provision of health care.
• Demonstrable experience of working with multi-agency committees and establishing relationships with external organisations.
• Demonstrable track record of achievement of performance management improvement and delivery at a senior management level.
• Significant demonstrable experience of budget and staff management.
• Demonstrable understanding of quality and risk management issues and standards.
• Demonstrable experience of managing major change projects and of delivering clinical and clinical support services during periods of change.
• Substantial demonstrable experience of preparing and presenting written briefings at a senior management level.
• Extensive proven knowledge of risk management systems and processes to address and mitigate clinical and operational risks.
• Expertise in management of acute flow.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of working in an integrated organisation or within a community health and social care setting.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and building research capacity and capability.
• Demonstrable experience of working at National / Regional system level.

Qualifications Essential

• Graduate level education and/or other clinical professional qualification
• Post-graduate qualification to Masters Degree/MBA or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Proven evidence of extensive and recent commitment to continuing professional development

Aptitude & Abilities Essential

• Ability to develop and deliver effective business and operational plans which are financially sound.
• Demonstrable experience of establishing productive relationships, communicating with and effectively engaging clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Skills in, and demonstrable experience of, influencing and enabling others to perform, and of effective performance management.
• Ability to operate effectively within difficult financial and performance challenges.
• Proven ability to plan/implement effective projects and work-streams.
• Professional, inclusive and credible leadership style.
• Demonstrable ability to use resources effectively and efficiently, and to maximise the skill set and experience of others.
• Skills in deploying a creative, evidence-based approach to provide and set direction.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups at a senior level across organisational boundaries and to act as a positive role model.
• Ability to drive for and achieve results across a broad range of key outcomes, maintaining patient focus and a high level of personal integrity at all times
• Ability to resolve conflict with teams and with users/stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Proven evidence of problem solving, strategic leadership and decision making skills.
• Demonstrable ability to achieve demanding objectives against deadlines.
• Ability to write and present Board papers which are meaningful and concise.
• Proven evidence of highly developed influencing, communication and negotiating skills.
• Ability to plan ahead and manage the translation of strategic intent into operational reality.
• Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels and with all staff groups.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Team worker with ability to relate to all grades of staff.
• Methodical with good attention to detail.
• IT skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Dispostion / Attitude / Motivation Essential

• Whilst confident, able to share vulnerabilities to build psychologically safe relationships.
• Self-aware and emotionally intelligent - understands and is reflective of impact on others.
• Is tenacious and resilient in the face of difficulty, combined with a willingness to listen and understand others viewpoints.
• Has personal integrity, works hard to build the trust of others.
• Calm whilst working within a busy environment, self-motivated and reliable.
• Understands how to work within a team and is knowledgeable about individual preferences and able to adapt and flex their approach to get the best from each.
• Understands what it means to lead with compassion. Adopts a coaching approach, with a belief that each individual approaches work with good intent.
• Proactive, takes own initiative.
• Analytical.
• Strategic planner.
• Results orientated.
• Discretion and tact.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

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