Interim Director of Operations

Practicus; Greater London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading company in healthcare is seeking an Interim Director of Operations for a pivotal role over the next four months. The successful candidate will lead recovery programs, enhance operational performance, and provide compassionate leadership to frontline teams during a critical transition period. This part-time position is based in Surrey and requires a seasoned operational leader with a strong background in community health services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior operational leadership in healthcare at board level.
• Strong understanding of community health services.
• Track record of delivering operational change and recovery programmes.

Responsibilities

• Leading and embedding the recovery programme to reduce waiting times.
• Overseeing key community services including nursing and therapies.
• Providing board-level assurance on operational performance.

Skills

Operational leadership

Compassionate leadership

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Background in nursing or clinical services

Job description

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Senior Delivery Consultant | Healthcare | Net-Zero & Sustainability

Interim Director of Operations (part-time) – Community Health Services

We’re seeking an experienced and compassionate Interim Director of Operations to step into a pivotal leadership role for the next 4 months (minimum) during a period of both challenge and opportunity.

Our client is embarking on a vital period of change and improvement. Following the recent transition of one of their large services contracts and wider organisational shifts, the focus is now firmly on strengthening and streamlining adult community services to reduce waiting times and enhance operational performance

As Interim Operations Director, you will join the executive team at a critical juncture. With a recovery programme already in motion and promising early results, your role is to keep the momentum going - driving delivery, stabilising teams, and ensuring clarity and compassion in leadership.

Key areas of focus:

• Leading and embedding the recovery programme to reduce waiting times.
• Overseeing key community services (nursing, therapies, and integrated neighbourhood teams).
• Supporting the transition of the walk-in centre to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
• Addressing workforce challenges and boosting operational resilience.
• Enhancing collaboration across new and existing partnerships, including primary care.
• Providing board-level assurance on operational performance and delivery.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for a seasoned operational leader who can quickly gain credibility with frontline teams, provide a steady hand through change, and lead with purpose, empathy, and accountability.

• Proven experience in senior operational leadership in healthcare at board level
• Strong understanding of community health services.
• Track record of delivering operational change and recovery programmes.
• Demonstrable success in reducing waiting times and improving service delivery.
• Confidence to engage with the Board and stakeholders, offering clear assurance.
• Ability to lead through uncertainty, with visible and compassionate leadership.
• Background in nursing or clinical services (advantageous but not essential).

Location: Surrey - onsite

Start Date: ASAP

IR35: Inside

Rate: Band 9

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Health Care Provider

• Industries

  Hospitals and Health Care

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