Overview
Contract Type: 0
Salary: Up to £149,000 per annum
Partner Org: Surrey and Borders Foundation Trust Partnership
Job overview
Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust plays a vital role in the health and wellbeing of 1.4 million people across Surrey and north‑east Hampshire. We provide mental health, learning disability, neurodiversity and substance use services that make a profound difference to individuals, families and communities. Rated ‘Good’ by the CQC, we are recognised for our values‑led approach, our commitment to compassionate care, and championing innovation and R&D. We have strong foundations and significant ambition; our aim is to deliver great care, everywhere, every day.
We are now seeking to appoint a new Chief Operating Officer (COO), following the retirement of our current postholder. As our COO, you will lead the delivery of all operational services, working as a key member of the Executive Team to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety, access, performance and experience. You will be a visible and motivating presence across the organisation, inspiring our people, strengthening our culture, and ensuring our values are felt in every interaction.
The Trust’s expectation is that colleagues are expected to be in person at their place of work during their working hours in order to optimise team effectiveness, with flexible working policies guiding any variation to this which takes into account team and individual circumstances. Colleagues are expected to be present at Trust sites a minimum of 4 days a week.
Main duties of the job
Leading the operational delivery of mental health, learning disability and specialist services across the Trust, ensuring high‑quality, safe and accessible care.
Translating strategy into effective service plans aligned with local and national NHS priorities, including strengthening community‑based care.
Driving improvements in access, flow, waiting times and productivity, ensuring robust performance management across all operational divisions.
Championing a culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with CQC standards.
Supporting digital transformation, data‑driven insight and innovative models of care that modernise service delivery.
Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to undertake an assessment centre, the outcome of which will inform which candidates are invited to the stakeholder discussion and interview.
Working for our organisation
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.
We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.
Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached the Job Description for you to check for more information on the full, detailed requirements for this job role.
Our recruitment partner for this post is James Stephens, Director, at Morgan Law. For a recruitment pack with further information/key dates or for any queries please visit: https://www.morgan-law.com/job/chief-operating-officer-18864/
In applying for this role, you are giving your permission for your application to be shared with Morgan Law.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree-level
- Professional leadership training (e.g. NHS Leadership Academy, King’s Fund, or equivalent). • Evidence of continuous professional development
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate qualification in management, healthcare leadership, or related field
- Clinical background (e.g. nursing, psychiatry, psychology, therapy, social work) may be advantageous but not essential
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive senior operational experience in health or similar field
- Proven track record of operational delivery across complex systems
- Experience in service transformation, quality improvement, and performance management
- Experience working within or alongside Integrated Care Systems (ICS) including partnership working across health and social care
- Experience in financial management, including budget oversight and cost improvement programmes
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage large-scale operations
- Strong understanding of NHS regulatory frameworks, including CQC standards
We are seeking to enrich the diversity of our Trust to better reflect demographic needs of the populations we serve and to enhance the skills of our workforce. We actively encourage applicants with underrepresented personal characteristics to apply for this role if you match the job description. Please note that you are not restricted from applying for this role if you do not identify with these characteristics and all applicants will be considered fairly against the job description.
As a flexible working and friendly organisation, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s job share, part time or any other flexible working patterns.
Gender Pay Gap Action
Women in our Trust are under-represented in some senior grades. We are therefore encouraging women to apply for posts at 8A and above.
Sponsorship
Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
