Interim Chief Operating Officer

We are seeking applications from experienced and dynamic NHS leaders for a 6-month Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) opportunity within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and serving as a Board Executive Director, the COO will provide strategic and operational leadership across acute, tertiary and regional services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and sustainable care across North Wales. This is a high-profile executive role requiring a proven track record of operational leadership within large, complex healthcare organisations, alongside experience of driving performance improvement, service transformation, financial sustainability and system-wide partnership working. The successful candidate will lead a substantial portfolio of services and play a key role in supporting the Health Board's recovery, transformation and long-term strategic ambitions. We welcome expressions of interest from accomplished executive leaders who can demonstrate significant board-level experience, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and a commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for patients, communities and staff. Together, let's shape the future of healthcare in North Wales.

Main duties of the job

• Provide executive leadership for the operational delivery and performance of acute, tertiary, diagnostics, women's and regional services across the Health Board.
• Lead the development and delivery of operational plans that support organisational objectives, service sustainability, quality improvement and financial balance.
• Drive achievement of national and local performance standards, with a focus on improving patient outcomes, access, flow and experience of care.
• Lead and support service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement programmes to enhance quality, efficiency and productivity.
• Provide strategic leadership to senior operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement and high performance.
• Ensure effective governance, risk management and assurance arrangements are in place across all areas of responsibility, maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and quality.
• Work closely with Executive Director colleagues, clinical leaders and external partners to deliver whole-system solutions and integrated service improvements.
• Oversee the effective use of significant financial, workforce and operational resources, ensuring value for money and sustainable service delivery.
• Contribute as a Board Executive Director to the strategic direction, corporate leadership and decision-making of the Health Board.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, building strong relationships with stakeholders across NHS Wales and partner organisations.

Working for our organisation

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is the largest health organisation in Wales, with a budget of £1.87 billion and a workforce of over 19,000 staff. The Health Board provides primary, community, mental health and acute hospital services for the population of North Wales. BCUHB provides a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and specialist hospital services across 3 acute hospitals, 22 community hospitals and a network of over 90 health centres, clinics, community health team bases and mental health units. BCUHB also coordinates or provides the work of 96 GP practices and the NHS services provided by 78 dental and orthodontic practices, 70 optometry practices and opticians and 145 pharmacies in North Wales. The Health Board is an integrated health system which strives to excellent compassionate care delivered in partnership with the public and other statutory and third sector organisations. BCUHB has a developed relationship with the universities in North Wales and with the University of Bangor is seeking medical school status and operates in a research-rich learning culture.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Candidates are encouraged to refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to a minimum of Masters Degree level or equivalent post graduate qualification or equivalent senior level experience.
• Evidence of Management and Leadership Development geared towards very senior posts.
• Evidence of and a demonstrable commitment to Continual Professional Development with an active and varied CPD portfolio.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven experience of working and contributing at a senior Board level.
• Outstanding reputation and demonstrable successes at executive director/very senior level, with a proven track record of producing high quality results in the management and leadership of operations in a large and complex organisation, preferably within the NHS.
• Experience of managing significant resources and budgets and a proven track record of delivering financial balance, sustainability and value for money.
• Experience of operational and capacity planning to meet organisational performance targets.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of setting ambitious attainable targets and of leading and implementing innovative solutions, and complex change and modernisation programmes designed to improve quality and services within tight financial constraints.
• Extensive experience working at a strategic level in a large complex organisation, preferably within the NHS and across whole healthcare systems.
• Understanding of the NHS Wales's strategic direction and use of this knowledge to develop and implement strategy and service developments.
• In depth knowledge of key health policies, objectives and national operating framework.
• Experience of developing and implementing corporate strategies with a track record of successes in delivering against national and local targets.

Essential Criteria Personal Attributes and Abilities

• Commitment to the Health Board values:
• We put patients first
• We value and respect each other
• We all work together as one team
• We learn and innovate
• We communicate openly and honestly
• Commitment to public service values and system wise collaboration.
• Able to identify and manage critical issues and priorities.
• Strong analytical and critical reasoning skills.
• High level of managerial competency including ability to manage and lead a complex and dynamic professional environment.
• Proven influencing and negotiation skills, particularly across professional boundaries.
• Excellent leadership and influencing skills and demonstrable professional credibility.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, understanding the impact of operational efficiencies on overall revenue performance.
• Proven service improvement and modernisation skills (e.g. 6 Sigma, Lean etc.).
• Programme and Project Management skills.
• Able to develop and maintain effective working relationships with professional groups and senior managers within the organisation and in other agencies.
• The energy, resilience, stamina and drive required of an Executive Director in a large University Health Board, with a proven ability to set and meet ambitious targets and monitor against targets.
• Act in accordance with the Nolan Principles of Public Life.

Desirable criteria

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS, and politically astute, working effectively with key influencers to deliver across the whole healthcare system.
• Able to recognise the wider interest groups and stakeholders within the UHB, and work sensitively to overcome their differing positions and interests.
• Innovation and vision, including an ability to build organisational capabilities, establishing a clear strategic vision and direction and translating this into successful outcomes.
• Intellectual flexibility, including the ability to understand both operational detail and wider strategic visions, and to articulate these to others; and the ability to cope with ambiguity and perform through uncertainty.