Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Division of Surgery
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a dynamic senior operational leader to join our Surgery Division. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with Divisional and Executive teams to drive high‑quality services and support Elective, Cancer and Outpatient performance across the organisation.
Walsall continues to achieve strong Planned Care performance and is striving to build on this success. The post holder will provide leadership across the Division and deputise for the Chief Operating Officer.
We are looking for an experienced, resilient leader with a proven track record in managing complex agendas, driving service improvement and building strong multidisciplinary relationships. The Deputy Chief Operating Officer is the most senior manager within the Division, providing leadership to all staff within the Division and leading the Divisional team. Deputising for the Chief Operating Officer for a portfolio of work to support the Trust’s corporate objectives.
The post-holder will lead the delivery of a safe, quality driven and continuously improving service to patients across all services within the Division which puts patients at the centre of care and ensures their needs are consistently and demonstrably met.
Key Responsibilities
Ensure the Division’s service delivery and performance, achieving Divisional core deliverables, key performance measures and standards, managing income and expenditure to plan, and optimizing resources to ensure effective operation.
Provide strong leadership and management of staff, including senior staff recruitment, selection, performance appraisal and development, ensuring effective management and leadership throughout the Division.
Oversee the development of services and policies across a range of specialist areas, Divisional boundaries and other associated health and social care organisations.
Service Delivery and Operational Planning
To ensure that the operational plan is produced, met and that all targets and standards are achieved.
Produce capacity plans for the Division, ensuring obligations are met within the available capacity and that capacity is used productively and efficiently.
Ensure service development and improvement programmes are delivered, aligning to local delivery plan targets, national targets, and local divisional priorities.
Performance Management
Implement and maintain a performance management system aligned to the Trust’s Performance Management Framework, ensuring all staff are aware of their role in the delivery of the Trust’s objectives and core deliverables.
Accountable for the Division’s performance against the operational plan, putting in place effective monitoring systems and taking corrective action where required.
Staff Management and Team Building
Lead the change management process through complex situations such as major organisational change – re‑organisation, relocation, development or cessation of services – empowering front‑line staff and fostering a positive can‑do approach.
Work collaboratively with the Divisional Team, Clinical Directors, Clinicians and Senior Managers across all Trust Departments, ensuring effective teamwork.
Resource Management
Review staffing structures and costs, ensuring the most productive and efficient use of staff resources is planned and delivered, managing service improvements and change management processes.
Negotiate, communicate and take responsibility for delivering Division‑wide objectives, targets and standards.
Human Resources
Ensure Divisional vacancy review panels are in place and effectively undertaken.
Maintain sickness absence below the Trust target, managing absence effectively and supporting staff to return to work.
Service Development
Take a lead role in the Division’s implementation of corporate objectives and service development priorities.
Develop Trust’s strategy and Service Improvement plans, particularly focusing on Lean working across all service areas.
About Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. The Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state‑of‑the‑art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Delivery of safe and quality driven service to patients.
Accountable Director for the delivery of high‑quality patient care across all areas of the Division. Where care is found to be below expected levels the post holder is responsible for ensuring that immediate corrective action is taken and monitored.
The Divisional Director will be accountable for and lead the implementation of the Risk Management and Clinical Governance strategies within the services of their Division.
Accountable for complaints and clinical incident management within their designated area of responsibility, ensuring investigation and effecting any changes and ‘lessons learned’ in professional/clinical practice or support systems.
A full detailed version of the job description and main responsibilities can be found in the attached Job Description and Person Specification document.
This advert closes on Monday 30 March 2026
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