Deputy Chief Operating Officer | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A national health organization is seeking a Deputy Chief Operating Officer for maternity cover in London. The ideal candidate will lead operational clinical services, manage performance, and ensure high-quality care in various directorates. Strong interpersonal skills and previous experience in mental health are essential. The role includes a significant leadership component, offering a comprehensive benefits package including flexible working options and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous pay, pensions, and annual leave

Support for work-life balance

Career development opportunities

Car lease deals

NHS discounts at various retail brands

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in mental health is mandatory.
• Must demonstrate fairness in service delivery.
• Capacity to manage and supervise several services.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational clinical services in assigned geographical areas.
• Ensure high-quality, compassionate patient-centered care.
• Communicate sensitive information effectively across various levels.

Skills

Experience in mental health

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Operational management

Job description

Previous applicants need not apply.

Please note: Applicants must have relevant experience in mental health.

This role is for a maternity cover for the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, working directly with the COO, providing senior operational and strategic leadership. The specific service lines and geographies named in this JD are subject to potential change in response to the needs of the COO office throughout the maternity cover period.

The role will lead and be accountable for the delivery of operational clinical services in geographical areas.

The role is expected to be the lead and be accountable from the COO office for the delivery of operational clinical services currently defined as Croydon & BDP, Lewisham & Addictions & CAMHS directorates, whilst also taking a trust-wide leadership role for Learning Disabilities & Autism, Complex Care & Rehab services, Emergency Preparedness, Resilience & Response (EPRR), Data Quality, National and Specialist service sustainability, and Health & Safety Fire & Legal.

The role will lead in driving key opportunities across the trust to support integrated working across services as well as across mental health and specialist services, to ensure they deliver key improvements for our patients and carers. It will ensure the effective implementation of pathways, supporting system and place – from PCNs, Integrated Care Partnerships/Place Partnerships, to Provider Collaboratives.

Management and Leadership.

• Deliver the requirements of the role across as lead from COO office for the delivery of operational clinical services currently defined as Croydon & BDP directorate, Lewisham & Addictions directorate & CAMHS directorates

Operational Management

• To manage the operational performance of services, ensuring high-quality, compassionate, patient-centred care.

Communication

• Communicates at the highest level within the Trust and across other external organisations and agencies, with respect to highly sensitive and contentious information, including long-term strategy, resources and finance, hospital closures, redeployment of staff, service-related information, changes in models of service delivery and governance. This involves engaging with small and large groups of staff and members of the public where there are significant barriers to acceptance and opposing views, requiring the highest level of interpersonal and communication skills.

Workforce

• To manage and supervise direct management reports for several services.

See JD for full details

We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close-knit team at SLaM. It’s important to us that you feel valued and appreciated; therefore, we offer a comprehensive benefits package.

Some of our benefits include:

• Generous pay, pensions, and annual leave.
• Support for work-life balance and flexible working options.
• Career development opportunities through mentoring, coaching, and talent programmes.
• Car lease deals.
• Keyworker housing on selected sites.
• NHS discounts up to 10% at various retail brands.

Other benefits include counseling services, wellbeing events, long service awards, cycle to work scheme, season ticket loans, and staff restaurants.

The postholder is expected to demonstrate a personal commitment to fairness, ensuring fairness in service delivery and people management, and promoting high standards by modelling NHS values and behaviours.

The role requires a dynamic, innovative leader with a positive, influential style to ensure services are run effectively and within budget, fostering a positive, collaborative environment. The post involves strong relationship management with stakeholders including service users, carers, local authorities, VCSE partners, and providers.

The role will support the executive team, Non-Executive Directors, and wider system leadership to achieve the trust's strategy, vision, and objectives.

See JD for full details

This advert closes on Sunday 10 Aug 2025.