Director of Operations

Acqhired; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare recruitment company in the UK is seeking a dynamic leader to own and grow their healthcare recruitment business. The role involves leading sales and delivery teams, driving commercial growth across various channels, ensuring compliance with healthcare standards, and managing framework contracts. Ideal candidates will possess significant senior leadership experience in healthcare recruitment, a proven track record in commercial strategy, and strong stakeholder management capabilities. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence operations and lead a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a senior leadership role within healthcare recruitment.
• Proven success managing framework contracts.
• Strong understanding of audit and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead sales and delivery teams in recruitment.
• Drive commercial growth strategy in various sectors.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare standards and governance.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in healthcare recruitment

Strong commercial capability

Deep understanding of healthcare compliance requirements

Operational excellence

Confident stakeholder management

Tools

ATS

CRM

VMS

Job description

Own and grow the healthcare recruitment business across framework and off-framework channels. You’ll lead sales and delivery teams to win work, fill roles / shifts at high volume and quality, protect margin, and ensure audit-ready compliance and clinical governance at all times.

Key Responsibilities

1) Commercial Growth & Strategy

• Set and deliver the growth plan across framework and off-framework revenue streams.
• Build and execute strategy by region, client type (NHS, local authority, private), and service line (nursing, care, AHP, locums, etc.).
• Own pricing and margin strategy, balancing competitiveness with sustainable contribution.

2) Framework Performance & Contract Management

• Lead framework delivery: SLAs, KPIs, rate cards, lot performance, and client governance.
• Drive tender / bid strategy with compelling evidence packs, mobilisations, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure readiness for audits and performance reviews; resolve issues quickly and transparently.

3) Off-Framework Business Development

• Win new off-framework clients and expand existing accounts through relationship-led selling.
• Negotiate commercial terms, service levels, and onboarding pathways.
• Build referral channels and partnerships (MSP / VMS, providers, networks) to increase opportunities.

4) Recruitment Delivery Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and staffing delivery, ensuring strong fill rates and low cancellations.
• Implement effective pipeline planning by specialty, shift pattern, and geography.
• Improve productivity through team structure, workflow discipline, and clear performance standards.

5) Compliance, Quality & Clinical Governance

• Ensure all candidates meet required compliance standards (Right to Work, DBS, registrations, training, references, occupational health where required).
• Maintain robust clinical governance processes for incidents, complaints, safeguarding, and regulatory requests.
• Work closely with compliance and operations to keep practices consistent, documented, and audit-proof.

6) Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and performance-manage managers and teams across recruitment and sales.
• Build a high-accountability culture with clear targets, feedback loops, and development plans.
• Recruit and retain top talent; create succession plans and capability uplift.

7) Operations, Systems & Reporting

• Own and improve processes across ATS / CRM / VMS systems to ensure accurate data and efficient operations.
• Track and report performance: revenue, margin, fill rates, time-to-fill, compliance outcomes, client satisfaction.
• Identify and deliver operational improvements that reduce cost-to-serve and increase quality.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Revenue growth (framework and off-framework)
• Gross margin % and contribution
• Fill rate and time-to-fill
• Cancellation rates and continuity metrics
• Compliance pass rate / audit results
• Client satisfaction (NPS / feedback), complaint and incident rates
• Tender win rate / framework performance ranking
• Team productivity (placements per recruiter, conversion rates)

Required Experience & Skills

• Senior leadership experience in healthcare recruitment (agency or staffing provider environment).
• Proven track record of managing framework contracts and off-framework growth.
• Strong commercial capability: pricing, margin management, client negotiation, sales leadership.
• Deep understanding of healthcare compliance requirements and audit expectations.
• Operational excellence: KPI management, process control, and team performance delivery.
• Confident stakeholder management from ward manager level through to exec / procurement.
• Strong systems mindset (ATS / CRM / VMS) and data-driven decision-making.