Associate Director of Operations

Job summaryAssociate Director of Operations B8d - 1 x 37.5 hour post available.The post holder will be a highly motivated and effective manager with exceptional leadership and influencing skills. The post holder will have the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve teams to work towards and achieve the objectives as set out by the Executive Chief Operating Officer and the Trust Board. The individual will work closely with the Executive Chief Operating Officer, the Deputy Chief Operating officer and the Clinical Collaboratives to deliver a range of key outcomes.The role is instrumental in leading and maintaining an operational leadership structure that is cohesive with the integrated model of service delivery in the North Cumbria system.Interviews to be held on Monday 5th October 2026Main duties of the jobReporting to the Executive Chief Operating Officer the post holder will provide leadership and management for all Clinical Services. The post holder will have responsibility providing strong and effective leadership, which includes:Operational Leadership: Lead general managers and clinical teams to deliver safe, effective, and timely patient care.Performance & Governance: Manage capacity, demand, clinical risks, and key national performance standards.Financial Management: Oversee large departmental budgets, drive efficiency, and ensure financial discipline within a constrained environment.Service Transformation: Lead digital innovation, pathway redesign, and service standardisation across multi-site operations.Partnership Working: Collaborate with executive leads, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), and primary or private care partners.About usAt NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time': Being a clinically led organisation Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust A positive patient experience every time A great place to work Managing our money wellAs an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.DetailsDate posted15 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8dSalary 94,356 to 108,814 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number262-A-26-8291080Job locationsPillars Building - North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustInfirmary StreetCarlisleCA2 7HYUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIPPlease note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.Disclosure and Barring Service:This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:Standard Check: 21.50 + Administration cost of 6.50 = 28.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.Enhanced Check: 49.50 + administration cost of 6.50 = 56.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 yearsFlexible working SchemeNHS Discounts*Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*Excellent opportunities for development*Competitive NHS Pension schemeVivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems*Subject to eligibilityImportant InformationPlease ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date Job description Job responsibilitiesPlease see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIPPlease note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.Disclosure and Barring Service:This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:Standard Check: 21.50 + Administration cost of 6.50 = 28.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.Enhanced Check: 49.50 + administration cost of 6.50 = 56.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 yearsFlexible working SchemeNHS Discounts*Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*Excellent opportunities for development*Competitive NHS Pension schemeVivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems*Subject to eligibilityImportant InformationPlease ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing datePerson Specification Qualifications and Skills EssentialoMasters Leadership Qualification or equivalent experienceoManagement qualification or equivalent experienceoEvidence of continuous professional development and/ or management development Knowledge and Experience EssentialoTrack record of success in managing complex multi-disciplinary services involving significant people, financial and other resourcesoStrong business orientationoSuccessful budget management experienceoExperience of analysing the business environment and of developing strategies to meet changing organisational needsoSignificant experience of quality, risk management and governance systems in a complex environmentoSubstantial knowledge and experience of strategic issues in contemporary health and social careoCorporate governance, performance management, risk management, and assurance frameworksoThe role of Clinical Governance and the application of NICE guidelinesoIn depth knowledge of policies and legislation relating to health and social careDesirableoKnowledge of the area of acute and community HealthcareoExperience of the area of acute and community HealthcareoEvidence of contributions to local and national networks.oExperience of delivery across organisational boundaries Skills and Aptitudes EssentialoAbility to share accountability within a triumvirate model.oProven leadership skillsoExcellent interpersonal and communication skills with well-developed negotiating and influencing skills to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders and staff including service users, carers and the media including contentious situations.oAble to engage staff at all levels to become involved in transformational changeoEffective written / report writing skills.oAbility to critically appraise and interpret complex data / statistic and information to support the improvement of services and clinical practice.oEffectively manage financial resourcesoPositive, professional approach and image; a role model to front line staff.oResilient, able to challenge as well as deal with challengeoAble to work under pressure and to tight deadlines with a "can do" approach.oManage own workload - self-starter, work with autonomy, able to prioritise and also to know when to escalate concerns and ask for help.oPolitically astute.oAbility to negotiate and influence others.oEstablish visibility and credibility in equal measure across all localities.oProactive and able to find solutions to problemsoAble to make informed and timely decisionsoProject management skillsoAbility to evaluate and learn from outcomes with a clear commitment to innovation, learning and improvementoSound judgement and decision making skills.oAbility to challenge unacceptable behaviouroIT literate / Advanced keyboard skills (including spreadsheet manipulation and project software Other requirements EssentialoParticipate in the Out of Hours/On Call systemoAble to develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity Personal Circumstances EssentialoPersonal integrity and commitmentoFlexibleoAble to travel / work across a wide geographical area Person Specification Qualifications and Skills EssentialoMasters Leadership Qualification or equivalent experienceoManagement qualification or equivalent experienceoEvidence of continuous professional development and/ or management development Knowledge and Experience EssentialoTrack record of success in managing complex multi-disciplinary services involving significant people, financial and other resourcesoStrong business orientationoSuccessful budget management experienceoExperience of analysing the business environment and of developing strategies to meet changing organisational needsoSignificant experience of quality, risk management and governance systems in a complex environmentoSubstantial knowledge and experience of strategic issues in contemporary health and social careoCorporate governance, performance management, risk management, and assurance frameworksoThe role of Clinical Governance and the application of NICE guidelinesoIn depth knowledge of policies and legislation relating to health and social careDesirableoKnowledge of the area of acute and community HealthcareoExperience of the area of acute and community HealthcareoEvidence of contributions to local and national networks.oExperience of delivery across organisational boundaries Skills and Aptitudes EssentialoAbility to share accountability within a triumvirate model.oProven leadership skillsoExcellent interpersonal and communication skills with well-developed negotiating and influencing skills to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders and staff including service users, carers and the media including contentious situations.oAble to engage staff at all levels to become involved in transformational changeoEffective written / report writing skills.oAbility to critically appraise and interpret complex data / statistic and information to support the improvement of services and clinical practice.oEffectively manage financial resourcesoPositive, professional approach and image; a role model to front line staff.oResilient, able to challenge as well as deal with challengeoAble to work under pressure and to tight deadlines with a "can do" approach.oManage own workload - self-starter, work with autonomy, able to prioritise and also to know when to escalate concerns and ask for help.oPolitically astute.oAbility to negotiate and influence others.oEstablish visibility and credibility in equal measure across all localities.oProactive and able to find solutions to problemsoAble to make informed and timely decisionsoProject management skillsoAbility to evaluate and learn from outcomes with a clear commitment to innovation, learning and improvementoSound judgement and decision making skills.oAbility to challenge unacceptable behaviouroIT literate / Advanced keyboard skills (including spreadsheet manipulation and project software Other requirements EssentialoParticipate in the Out of Hours/On Call systemoAble to develop a culture that promotes equality and values diversity Personal Circumstances EssentialoPersonal integrity and commitmentoFlexibleoAble to travel / work across a wide geographical areaDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer nameNorth Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustAddressPillars Building - North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustInfirmary StreetCarlisleCA2 7HYUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameNorth Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustAddressPillars Building - North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustInfirmary StreetCarlisleCA2 7HYUnited KingdomEmployer's website