Operations Director - Urgent Care

Practicus; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare service provider is seeking an Interim Director of Operations to oversee urgent care services across England. This role entails strategic leadership and operational oversight to stabilize and transform services during a critical integration period. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience in urgent care and proven success in managing multi-site operations. A willingness to travel and work flexibly is crucial. This opportunity offers a competitive day rate and the chance to leave a meaningful legacy in a short timeframe.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in urgent care and out of hours.
• Experience leading multi-site operations and managing senior teams.
• Strategic ability to integrate services and transform performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for urgent care services.
• Lead performance managers to ensure contract ownership and KPI understanding.
• Collaborate with clinical and non-clinical teams for service effectiveness.

Skills

Leadership in urgent care

Multi-site operations management

Strategic acumen

Governance and patient flow knowledge

Transformational leadership

Job description

Interim Director of Operations – Urgent Care & Out of Hours Services

Contract : 3–4 months (Inside IR35)

Day Rate : £500 - £550 + expenses

Start : Immediately

Location : Northern and Southern England. Ideally our client is looking for a midlands based candidate due to travel requirements.

Are you an exceptional operational leader with deep experience in Urgent Care and Out of Hours services? Have you successfully stabilised complex services, inspired operational leaders, and delivered measurable improvements in performance, commissioner confidence, and patient experience? This is a pivotal opportunity to take the helm of national urgent care services during a period of integration, transformation and growth - and to leave a meaningful legacy in a short timeframe.

This interim role requires a resilient, emotionally intelligent, commercially minded leader who can bring people together, build trust quickly, and drive high-quality, patient-centred services across multiple regions.

The Role

As Interim Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for urgent care and out of hours services nationally, and be fully accountable for delivering high-performing, patient-focused, commercially sustainable services.

You will lead a group of Service Delivery & Performance Managers, ensuring they “own” their contracts, understand all KPIs and service specifications, and cultivate strong stakeholder relationships. This requires someone who is both hands‑on and strategic, with the ability to work at pace, motivate mixed teams, and bring cohesion to services that currently vary in maturity, stability, and commissioner satisfaction.

You will work collaboratively with clinical and non‑clinical teams, system partners, and stakeholders across a variety of commissioning landscapes. Your influence will directly shape the future of urgent care operations during a period of significant organisational transformation.

What You’ll Bring

Experience

• Extensive leadership experience in urgent care, out of hours, unscheduled primary care, or a closely related independent healthcare environment.
• Experience leading multi‑site operations and managing senior regional leaders.
• Strategic acumen with proven ability to integrate services, transform performance, and deliver commercial outcomes.
• Experience managing contracts valued at £15m+ and working within complex commissioning environments (knowledge of APMS, GMS and NHS Standard Contracts advantageous).
• Strong understanding of governance, patient flow, service design, workforce mobilisation and performance frameworks.
• Experience of large‑scale service change or transformation programmes.
• Experience working within an independent provider (non‑NHS) is essential

Practical Requirements

• Ability to travel nationally between sites.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including presence during out‑of‑hours periods.

Why This Role Matters

In just a few months, you will play a critical role in stabilising services, uplifting performance, strengthening commissioner relationships, and aligning national urgent care operations under one consistent, high‑quality model. Your leadership will set the foundation for long‑term success and support a smooth transition to a permanent post‑holder.