Director of Operations - NWLP

North West London Pathology; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS pathology network in England is seeking an exceptional Director of Operations for a 6-month interim appointment. The role involves strategic leadership, driving performance improvements, and ensuring high-quality patient care within a collaborative environment. Candidates should possess significant senior leadership experience in healthcare operations, particularly in pathology, and a proven track record in financial management and large-scale strategic change. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead within one of the UK's most dynamic pathology networks.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working

Staff wellbeing programmes

Cycle to Work scheme

Car lease schemes

Membership options for onsite leisure facilities

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in healthcare operations and pathology.
• Track record of delivering large-scale change and financial delivery.
• Extensive experience in managing complex budgets and operational performance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Drive delivery of performance targets and implementation of NWLP's strategy.
• Lead operational services and ensure high quality patient care.
• Facilitate integrated working across healthcare systems.

Skills

Strategic planning

Financial management

Leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Performance management

Education

First degree or equivalent

Specialist knowledge in Pathology Scientific disciplines (MSc level)

HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist

Job description

North West London Pathology (NWLP) is a multi-award winning, innovative and collaborative NHS pathology network serving multiple NHS Trusts and private providers.

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Operations to provide strategic leadership and operational excellence across our network for a 6-month interim appointment.

As a key member of the NWLP Executive Team, you will:

• Drive delivery of ambitious performance and service improvement targets.
• Lead the implementation of NWLP's strategy and integrated business plan.
• Ensure high-quality patient care, clinical governance and financial sustainability.
• Maintain strong partnerships across NHS organisations, integrated care systems and external stakeholders.
• Champion innovation, research and continuous improvement in pathology services.

We are looking for:

• Significant senior leadership experience in healthcare operations, ideally within pathology or acute services.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management and delivering large-scale change.
• Strong leadership, influencing and communication skills to inspire teams and foster collaboration.
• Ability to manage complex budgets and performance frameworks.
• Commitment to NWLP vision and values: Patient-Focused, Collaborative, Expert and Caring.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the operational pathology services in one of the UK's most dynamic pathology networks.

Main duties of the job

• The Director of Operations will be responsible for interpreting and delivering overall health service policy and strategy, leading and managing operational services across all of North West London Pathology (NWLP), enabling the pathology network to continue to be recognised as a leader in clinical laboratory diagnostics, and a recognised centre of clinical service, teaching and research excellence.
• The post holder will be responsible for providing high-level operational and strategic business planning and leadership to ensure that NWLP provides high quality service to its customers and owners and achieves its performance objectives.
• Be accountable for the operational performance and strategic development of the Directorates within the Division. This will include accountability for the delivery of high quality patient care, clinical governance, patient safety, clinical quality, and delivery offinancial targets.
• Have joint responsibility with the other NWLP Directors for driving forward corporate and cross-cutting programmes of work and service direction.
• Have an external focus to facilitate greater working across the integrated healthcare system e.g. with our owner trusts, NWL ICB and NHSE; representing NWLP at a very senior level within the NHS, community and partner organisations, working closely with them to institute integrated working in the best interests of patient care.
• Ensure that the necessary corporate governance arrangements are in place across NWLP.

About us

Benefits include career development, flexible working, staff wellbeing programmes, staff awards and recognition scheme. We also have available benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

NWLP Induction

The NWLP induction will run on the first Monday of each month (provided it does not fall on a bank holiday) and includes laboratory training (for relevant laboratory roles). All new staff must attend the NWLP induction during their first week with NWLP.

For 2025/26, see below the start dates which you will be able to book once you have completed all your pre-employment checks.

Monday 2 February 2026Monday 2 March 2026Monday 13 April 2026Monday 11 May 2026Monday 1 June 2026Monday 6 July 2026Monday 3 August 2026Monday 7 September 2026Monday 5 October 2026Monday 2 November 2026Monday 7 December 2026

Candidates are advised to consider these start dates before agreeing end of service date with their current employer.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person Specification

• First degree or equivalent
• Evidence of specialist knowledge of Pathology Scientific disciplines (MSc level or equivalent)
• Extensive knowledge of the NHS in the acute sector with up-to-date knowledge of medical/surgical services
• Evidence of CPD
• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist

Experience

• Significant experience within the Healthcare sector at very senior manager level including responsibility for strategic planning and budgetary control for a group of complex medical/surgical specialties
• Demonstrable success in delivering large scale change and performance with and through management and clinical teams
• Track record of financial delivery including EBITDA target ratio, efficiency savings, income and expenditure targets
• Extensive experience of writing complex business cases and policies
• Extensive experience of managing and deciding on complex employment issues
• Experience of delivering large scale clinical service management at a senior level in a complex hospital environment.
• Well-developed IT skills to manage and report on complex performance management information
• Change management - encourages innovation whilst minimising disruption in line with organisational objectives
• Financial Acumen - aligns operational decisions with financial sustainability
• People Leadership - Inspires, motivates and delegates effectively. Developing talent through coaching and mentorship
• Operational excellence - focused on process improvement, efficiency and quality

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.