Job Description

This is a rare opportunity for the right candidate to make a huge impact in our Trust.
We are seeking a new Chief Operating Officer with the skills to enable our journey of improvement. We are a large and complex organisation and the successful candidate will be an outstanding leader, with an enviable track record of successful operational leadership and the capabilities to deliver transformation in partnership with colleagues across a large, multi-service organisation.
Vitally important will be the need for our new COO to live our values and, in partnership with board colleagues, to role model the behaviours that are essential in inspiring a positive, open and learning culture, building credibility and confidence with colleagues, partners, communities and regulators at all levels.
If you can demonstrate the above, share our passion for patient care and demonstrate an alignment with our values, we would be delighted to hear from you. In addition, we would particularly welcome candidates from groups currently under-represented at board level because we value the diversity of our colleagues and actively champion an inclusive culture, believing everyone should feel free to be their authentic self in the workplace.
If you think you have the drive and commitment to make a real difference, please visit:www.odgers.com/94145
Closing date for applications, Friday 5th September 2025. Stakeholder event w/c 29th September 2025 followed by face to face interviews w/c 13th October 2025.
Main duties of the job
For further information or to apply for this role please visit the below link: www.odgers.com/94145
Or contact:
Carmel Gibbons
Partner and Head of the Healthcare Practice
Direct: +44 207 529 1128
Executive Assistant: donna.fendick@odgers.com
About us
The University Hospitals Sussex (UHSussex) is one of the largest hospital trusts in the UK; we are a major trauma centre and tertiary care provider and we run seven hospitals across five sites with additional satellite facilities and community services.
We are proud to put our patients first. Our 20,000 colleagues across Sussex are passionate about providing excellent patient care, every time, for a population of 1.8 million.
We have built the foundations for greater future achievement through our investment in new clinical leadership, staffing, education, research and innovation. However, alongside this time of opportunity, we do not underestimate the challenges that we face as a Trust and as a healthcare system. Now is a time of great change and transformation for our organisation, and we recognise not only the demanding financial and operating environment we find ourselves in, but also the need to balance these demands with an unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. Our 20,000 colleagues across Sussex are passionate about providing excellent patient care, and we are committed to learning from recent events to ensure we build the foundations for greater future achievement through this mission.
Details
Date posted
22 August 2025
Pay scheme
Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
279-7438030-AUG25
Job locations
All Sites - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Worthing
BN11 2DH
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information or to apply for this role please visit the below linkwww.odgers.com/94145
Or contact:
Carmel Gibbons
Partner and Head of the Healthcare Practice
Direct: +44 207 529 1128
Executive Assistant: donna.fendick@odgers.com Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information or to apply for this role please visit the below linkwww.odgers.com/94145
Or contact:
Carmel Gibbons
Partner and Head of the Healthcare Practice
Direct: +44 207 529 1128
Executive Assistant: donna.fendick@odgers.com
Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to masters degree level or equivalent professional experience
• Post graduate management qualification or training or equivalent professional experience
• Evidence of continuous personal, professional and managerial development

Desirable

• MBA

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Proven track record of operational leadership in a complex NHS organisation at board level
• Recent experience of operating as COO in an acute hospital setting
• Evidence of leading complex change and modernisation relating to improving organisational performance and efficiency
• Evidence of leading complex change and modernisation relating to improving organisational performance and efficiency
• Experience of leading organisation cultural improvement and embedding new ways of working within an NHS operational environment
• A track record of successes in delivering against national and local NHS operational performance targets
• Background of improving service standards and delivering efficiencies, and value for money

Communication and Relationship Skills
Essential

• Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
• Effective and strategic influencing skills at all levels of the organisation including Board and external stakeholders
• Highly developed collaborative working skills - ability to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and multi-professional staff groups
• Ability to present complex and sensitive information at all levels both internally and externally
• Ability to write reports and present at Board level
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS, politically astute and able to identify and work with key influencers to deliver a range of acute healthcare services
• Sound understanding of national health policy and local health initiatives
• Demonstrable understanding of the Trust's strategic objectives, financial and management challenges

Skills and aptitudes
Essential

• The intellect and interpersonal skills to have the respect of senior clinicians, managers and academics
• Resilience and perseverance to ensure delivery and implementation of key goals
• The ability to develop capability and confidence in colleagues, ensuring targets are achieved and maintained
• The ability to motivate staff in all professions and harness and nurture talent
• Ability to quickly build clinical and managerial credibility
• Evidence of a compassionate and inclusive leadership style

Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to masters degree level or equivalent professional experience
• Post graduate management qualification or training or equivalent professional experience
• Evidence of continuous personal, professional and managerial development

Desirable

• MBA

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Proven track record of operational leadership in a complex NHS organisation at board level
• Recent experience of operating as COO in an acute hospital setting
• Evidence of leading complex change and modernisation relating to improving organisational performance and efficiency
• Evidence of leading complex change and modernisation relating to improving organisational performance and efficiency
• Experience of leading organisation cultural improvement and embedding new ways of working within an NHS operational environment
• A track record of successes in delivering against national and local NHS operational performance targets
• Background of improving service standards and delivering efficiencies, and value for money

Communication and Relationship Skills
Essential

• Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
• Effective and strategic influencing skills at all levels of the organisation including Board and external stakeholders
• Highly developed collaborative working skills - ability to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and multi-professional staff groups
• Ability to present complex and sensitive information at all levels both internally and externally
• Ability to write reports and present at Board level
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS, politically astute and able to identify and work with key influencers to deliver a range of acute healthcare services
• Sound understanding of national health policy and local health initiatives
• Demonstrable understanding of the Trust's strategic objectives, financial and management challenges

Skills and aptitudes
Essential

• The intellect and interpersonal skills to have the respect of senior clinicians, managers and academics
• Resilience and perseverance to ensure delivery and implementation of key goals
• The ability to develop capability and confidence in colleagues, ensuring targets are achieved and maintained
• The ability to motivate staff in all professions and harness and nurture talent
• Ability to quickly build clinical and managerial credibility
• Evidence of a compassionate and inclusive leadership style