Head of Operational Performance

NHS; Sudbury; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organization in Sudbury is seeking a Head of Operational Performance to oversee service transformation in palliative and end-of-life care. This role requires significant NHS operational experience and strong leadership skills, focusing on driving improvements across services. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, along with flexible working arrangements and regular travel across the UK.

Benefits

Company pension scheme with up to 5% employer contribution

27 days holiday, rising to 33 with service

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Free Period Products

Electric Vehicle Scheme

Healthcare Cash Plan

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in operational healthcare.
• Demonstrated NHS experience in service transformation.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale improvement initiatives in hospice and community services.
• Align operational models with national standards and best practices.
• Identify and remove inefficiencies in care delivery.

Skills

Leadership experience within NHS provider services

Understanding of NHS operational standards

Performance improvement

Data-driven decision making

Collaborative engagement

Education

Degree level qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Job summary

We're Hiring: Head of Operational Performance

Location: Home based with nationwide travel required

Contract Type: Permanent, Full time (37.5 hours per week)

£65kpa to £70kpa plus benefits

Interview details

1st stage Virtual interview to take place 9th September

2nd stage Face to face at our London office based near Euston station

Driving sustainable change for better patient outcomes with compassion, connection and purpose.

Are you ready to shape the future of palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care on a national scale? Do you bring a strong track record of NHS operational experience, combined with the insight and influence to drive measurable performance improvement?

If so, this is your opportunity to make real impact in a values-led organisation that puts people first.

At Sue Ryder, we believe in being Supportive, Connected and Impactful. We deliver exceptional care by listening deeply, working collaboratively, and continuously striving to improve. Now, were looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Operational Performance to help transform the way our services are delivered across the UK.

Main duties of the job

About the Role

As our Head of Operational Performance, youll lead large-scale improvement initiatives across our hospice and community services, focused on delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality care. Youll use your deep NHS knowledge to align our operational models with national standards, regulatory frameworks, and best practice.

Youll identify and remove inefficiencies, oversee performance frameworks, and shape new care delivery modelssuch as our innovative Sue Ryder Alongside suites. Underpinning everything you do will be cost-efficiency, data-driven insight, and a relentless focus on better patient and family outcomes.

This is a high-impact role that reports to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer and will work across clinical, corporate and external stakeholder groups including NHS England, Integrated Care Boards and commissioners.

What Were Looking For:

To be successful, youll need to demonstrate:

• Essential - Significant leadership experience within NHS provider services

• Deep understanding of NHS operational standards, workforce planning and regulatory expectations

• A strong background in performance improvement, transformation and service design

• The ability to manage high-level strategic initiatives while keeping patients and cost-efficiency at the core

• Skilled in using data, demand and capacity modelling to inform decisions

• A collaborative approach, confident engaging with multidisciplinary teams and national partners

About us

Make your impact. Transform lives.

If you are ready to lead operational excellence with purpose, drive and compassion we want to hear from you.

Apply now and help us ensure that every person receives the care they need, when they need it most.

This role can be based flexibly, with regular travel across our sites and to national meetings.For more information or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact our recruitment team.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme with up to 5% employer contribution

• 27 days holiday - rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays

• NHS annual leave honoured (T&Cs apply)

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

• Enhanced sick pay

• Employee Networks - LGBTQ+, Ethnic Diversity and Equality, People with Disabilities, and Women and Non-Binary Individuals

• Inclusion passports

• Free Period Products

• Electric Vehicle Scheme

• Healthcare Cash Plan

• Death in Service Benefit

• Staff discount of 10% on new goods online at shop.sueryder.org

• Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.

For more of our employee benefits please visit our website.

https://www.sueryder.org/jobs/why-work-for-sue-ryder

Were committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups such as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Details Date posted

14 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£65,000 to £70,000 a year plus benefits

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

B0475-SD504066AUG2025

Job locations

Kings House

Kings Street

Sudbury

Suffolk

CO10 2ED

Job description Job responsibilities

Minimum Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in operational healthcare leadership

• Demonstrated NHS experience in a service transformation or improvement capacity

• Proven ability to manage and lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects

• Evidence of CPD and willingness to participate in ongoing learning

Job description Job responsibilities

Minimum Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in operational healthcare leadership

• Demonstrated NHS experience in a service transformation or improvement capacity

• Proven ability to manage and lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects

• Evidence of CPD and willingness to participate in ongoing learning

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Minimum Essential Criteria
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in operational healthcare leadership
• Demonstrated NHS experience in a service transformation or improvement capacity
• Proven ability to manage and lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Evidence of CPD and willingness to participate in ongoing learning

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Minimum Essential Criteria
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in operational healthcare leadership
• Demonstrated NHS experience in a service transformation or improvement capacity
• Proven ability to manage and lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Evidence of CPD and willingness to participate in ongoing learning

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

Sue Ryder

Address

Kings House

Kings Street

Sudbury

Suffolk

CO10 2ED

Employer's website

https://www.sueryder.org (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Sue Ryder

Address

Kings House

Kings Street

Sudbury

Suffolk

CO10 2ED

Employer's website

https://www.sueryder.org (Opens in a new tab)