Job Description

This is a major opportunity for an inspirational and motivated operational leader to join Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (WHT) and support our commitment to the ongoing provision of outstanding care to all patients within both the Acute Trust and the Community setting.

If you are an experienced operational leader, with proven leadership skills, now looking to develop your executive career, this exciting and demanding opportunity will be just what you are looking for!



Our new Chief Operating Officer will play a pivotal role at the forefront of ensuring the delivery of operational excellence and leading the continuous improvement of our services. As our Chief Operating Officer you will work closely with other WHT Board colleagues, as well as with the wider Group Executive team.



You will also work with our system partners, helping to improve the health outcomes for local people and making the Black Country a healthier place with healthier people and healthier futures.



We are looking for a values based candidate, with proven leadership skills, a track record of service improvement.



Please contact Gayle Nightingale, at gayle.nightingale@nhs.net and on 07905903075 for more information about the role.

Advert Close:

Sunday, 13 July 2025

Shortlisting:

22nd July 2025

Stakeholders:

Monday 4th August

Interviews:

Thursday 7th August



The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the delivery of the services of the Trust within the quality parameters agreed with the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, to meet the Trust's and the NHS performance targets, within budget. The postholder is the principal advisor to the CEO and the Board on all operational matters.



Professional leadership of Hospital Management



Operational Management of Clinical Divisions



Capacity Management of Emergency, Elective, Cancer, Diagnostic and Outpatient Services



Performance Management and delivery across the Trust



Modernisation of clinical processes, practices and services



Responsibility for Financial control of Hospital Services through Divisional Managers and Divisional Directors.



Urgent & Emergency Care Lead



Trustee of the Endowment Funds



Accountable Emergency Officer (AEO) for EPRR



Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated provider of acute and community services for Walsall's diverse population of around 284,000 people. Our main site, Manor Hospital, resides in the heart of the town and as a District General Hospital, we primarily serve the immediate population of Walsall, with some patients requiring more specialised treatment at neighbouring Trusts. This includes The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, with whom we have been working closely with under a shared leadership team.



In the autumn of 2022, the Trust launched its new, five-year strategy. This is a joint strategy with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust which recognises the closer working relationship between the two organisations. The development of the new strategy encompassed a new set of strategic objectives as well as a new vision.



Our vision, chosen by our colleagues, is to 'To deliver exceptional care

together to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities'.

Our values remain unchanged:

Compassion, Respect, Professionalism, Teamwork. These values were chosen by our staff who work to embed them into the organisation.



Strategy



Work with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board, particularly in bringing an operational perspective to the development of the Trust's strategic direction in relation to the provision of healthcare, teaching and research.



Financial Management



Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure a robust process for agreeing, monitoring and delivering robust financial targets.



Corporate and Clinical Governance



Strengthen the Trust's governance culture and foster a spirit of learning and innovation in all that the Trust does.



Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response



Has executive authority and responsibility for ensuring the Trust complies with legal and policy requirements.



System Leadership



Act as Lead Chief Operating Officer on behalf of the Black Country ICS and/or Black Country Provider Collaborative for defined programmes of work as agreed (such as Urgent & Emergency Care or Elective care or Cancer care etc)