Putting community at the heart of everything we do.
Proud to be a prospective advanced foundation trust, CLCH is one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, employing more than 4,500 staff and caring for more than four million people across London and Hertfordshire. We believe in working together to give children a better start and adults greater independence. Our diverse team of professionals supports patients at every stage of their lives, from health visiting for newborn babies to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care.
By joining CLCH, you will be part of a dynamic and supportive team that values innovation, compassion, and excellence. We offer a range of exciting career opportunities and are committed to your professional development and well-being.
To join us and help make a real difference in the communities we work in, browse our latest jobs and opportunities below.
Operational Lead - Pembridge Specialist Palliative Care Service
Band 8a
Main area Operational Lead - Pembridge Specialist Palliative Care Service Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 824-INNER-8294286
Site St Charles Centre for Health & Wellbeing Town London Salary £66,274 - £73,496 per annum, inclusive of HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 13/10/2026 23:59
Welcome to Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH)
At CLCH, we proudly serve as a beacon of compassionate community healthcare across 14 vibrant London boroughs — Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth, Westminster, Hillingdon, Sutton, and Kingston — as well as Hertfordshire. We bring care closer to home, embracing the rich diversity of these communities with dedication and heart.
Recognised as a Good provider by the Care Quality Commission and celebrated among the top NHS employers, we are united by a shared passion: empowering our community health professionals to deliver care that truly makes a difference.
We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where every member of our team feels respected, valued, and inspired—a place where fairness, kindness, and inclusion blossom. Our culture is rooted in the principles of the NHS People Plan, Our NHS People Promise, and our own strategic Equality values and objectives, guiding us to create a truly supportive and inclusive workplace.
Together, we build a caring community where the warmth we show one another shines through in every life we touch.
Job overview
We are looking for an experienced operational manager with a commitment to delivering high‑quality, compassionate and equitable care to join the Pembridge Specialist Palliative Care Service in this substantive Band 8a role.
This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a specialist service supporting patients, carers, families and bereaved people.
As Operational Manager, you will provide effective, accessible and consistent operational leadership across outpatient, day and wellbeing, psychological and social support, bereavement, administrative and support services.
Working collaboratively with the Head of Clinical Services, consultants and professional leads, you will help ensure services are safe, responsive, person‑centred and equitable. You will also support the service to meet the requirements of the North West London community specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care service specification.
We are looking for someone who can combine effective day‑to‑day operational management with a focus on service improvement, partnership working and the experience of patients, carers and staff.
Main duties of the job
As Operational Manager, you will have responsibility for the day‑to‑day quality, performance, workforce, financial and risk management of designated services within Pembridge Specialist Palliative Care Service.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Providing effective operational leadership across outpatient, day and wellbeing, psychological and social support, bereavement, administrative and support services.
- Managing service activity, capacity and demand, including waiting times, access and performance.
- Leading service development, redesign and quality‑improvement initiatives to improve the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of services.
- Managing delegated budgets and supporting effective workforce planning, recruitment, staff development and performance management.
- Supporting effective clinical governance, including risk management, learning from incidents and responding appropriately to complaints and feedback from patients, carers and families.
- Using performance information, outcome measures, audit and service evaluation to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Working collaboratively with clinical leaders, primary care, acute providers, local authorities, commissioners and voluntary‑sector partners to support well‑coordinated pathways of care.
- Championing compassionate, inclusive and person‑centred services that respond to the needs of patients, carers, families and bereaved people.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.
What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life’s most important moments.
Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.
We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high‑quality care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trust’s values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.
Person specification
Education/Qualification
- Relevant professional qualification at degree level or equivalent knowledge and experience.
- Postgraduate management, leadership, health‑service or specialist clinical qualification, or equivalent experience at master’s level.
- Evidence of continuing personal and professional development.
- Current professional registration where the applicant’s professional background requires it.
- Master’s degree or equivalent.
Experience
- Substantial senior operational management experience within healthcare, community services, specialist palliative care, hospice care or a comparably complex multidisciplinary service.
- Experience of leading multidisciplinary services and managing staff through other managers or senior practitioners.
- Experience of performance, quality, risk, workforce and financial management.
- Experience of service redesign, mobilisation or organisational change.
- Operational management experience within specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care.
- Experience of outpatient, wellbeing, psychological, social support or bereavement services.
Skills & Knowledge
- Detailed knowledge of NHS policy, governance, quality, safeguarding, workforce and financial frameworks
- Understanding of person‑centred palliative and end‑of‑life care and the contribution of physical, psychological, social, spiritual and bereavement support.
- Knowledge of performance management, demand and capacity, outcome measurement, audit and quality improvement.
- Highly developed leadership, influencing, negotiation and change‑management skills.
- Knowledge of North West London community specialist palliative care pathways and commissioning arrangements.
- Knowledge of bereavement models, psychological support pathways and stepped‑care approaches.
- Advanced facilitation, coaching or mediation skills.
Other
- Visible, credible and compassionate leader
- Commitment to high‑quality, equitable and person‑centred care.
We review all applications carefully to ensure fairness and verify references. At interview, you will be asked about your experience, so be honest and ensure all information is accurate. The use of AI during interviews is not permitted.
If you use AI or other tools to support your application, it must reflect your own skills, knowledge, and experience. Supporting information should be in your own words and include your personal insights. AI can assist with drafting but may produce generic or inaccurate content. Applications that rely heavily on AI may lack authenticity and reduce your chances of success.
Due to high application volumes, this vacancy may close early.
CLCH Trust does not recommend relying solely on AI when completing your application.
CLCH Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
CLCH is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for providing exceptional patient care. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident employer, we pledge to:
- Guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role.
- Provide reasonable adjustments to support diverse needs throughout the recruitment and employment process.
- Challenge misconceptions about disability and foster an inclusive culture for everyone.
We are committed to building a workplace where all staff feel valued and have the opportunity to thrive. Simply let us know how we can support you.
Learn more about our equal opportunities policy on our website: Equal opportunities: Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust clch.nhs.uk
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications.
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Operational Lead - Pembridge Specialist Palliative Care Service employer: Clch
Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises professional development through comprehensive training and dedicated CPD time. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on individuals with complex communication needs while enjoying the vibrant culture of Central London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Lead - Pembridge Specialist Palliative Care Service
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Clch often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Clch
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Clch. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Clch.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Clch.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Clch.
