Head of Operations

Job summaryAre you keen to lead exciting transformational change with the 10-year neighbourhood plan for Primary and community services?An exciting opportunity is available to join West Kent
Primary Care (WKPC) as a Head of Operations.We are seeking an experienced and
visionary individual to lead our clinical and operational teams ensuring the
delivery of exceptional patient care. We are looking for an enthusiastic and
self-driven individual who is a team player, with strong leadership skills,
excellent communication skills and a professional
approach that demonstrates our values.The post holder will lead, direct,
and manage the development of operational improvement and change within WKPC, whilst remaining responsible for
overseeing day-to-day operations delivered by clinical service managers. In
collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Senior management team (SMT) the post holder
will lead the development of new services whilst considering future
opportunities to expand WKPC to support primary care.We are happy to facilitate informal discussions about the
role. Please contact us and ask for Claire Ratnayake (Chief Executive Officer)Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a stakeholder event, following by a panel interviewend of September/ early October 2026.Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be pivotal to overseeing
and implementing change to ensure WKPC continues to support practices/Primary
care networks as they move into neighborhoods working with other local system
providers in West Kent such as the Kent Community Health Trust, the Mental
Health Trust, the voluntary sector and the local authority. WKPC will
look to support Primary care to display and engage with a collaborative integrated
approach across services, ensuring innovation and creativity is always present
within transformation of services. This is an exciting time to
join WKPC during a period of system transformation, growth and expansion. The post holder will
have the opportunity to lead on major collaborative activities across the West Kent footprint and
work in partnership with providers across the Health Care Partnership (HCP). This post will report into the CEO
and support the Director of Finance and Director of Nursing & Quality who
form the SMT. They will also work closely with the governance, workforce and
digital teams to communicate and embed strategic direction and organisational
change in West Kent community and Primary care services. You will participate in
the manager on-call arrangements to ensure that effective leadership is in
place to support the delivery of safe operational services.About usWest Kent Primary Care will act as employer for this role. We are a collaborative and ambitious GP Federation working with GP practices across Sevenoaks, Weald, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Malling, and Maidstone to improve General Practice provision in the area. West Kent Primary Care are a supportive and friendly organisation whose aim is to provide high quality, seamless health care that enables people to lead healthier lives, whilst feeling supported and cared for.Our Values:RespectKindnessCommunicationCollaborationWhat we can offer:Favourable terms and conditionsMatch NHS Annual Leave entitlementNEST and NHS PensionA comprehensive induction into the company followed by a local induction to introduce you to the roleTraining, support, and development in your careerFlexible working arrangementsRecognition via Employee of the Month schemeWellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme*Due to travel requirements for the role it would be beneficial for applicants to have a full driving licenseOffice Contact: DetailsDate posted26 August 2026Pay schemeOtherSalary
64,000 to 77,000 a year
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time,

Flexible working

Reference numberE0008-WKF292Job locationsHospice In The WealdMaidstone RoadPemburyTunbridge WellsKentTN2 4TAUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilities
Lead operational oversight, and implementation of comprehensive service strategies
integrating digital, financial, workforce, and governance aims. Track progress
against objectives and ensure benefits realisation
Oversee day-to-day operations of
federation services (e.g. Post-Viral, frailty pathways, diabetes, UTC support, enhanced
access), monitor KPIs such as referral volumes, waiting times, utilisation, and
savings
Bid/Tender Process and Contract
Management. Lead preparation and submission of bids/tenders for new services,
manage full contract lifecycle including negotiation, SLAs with ICB/External
partners, performance reporting, renewals, and compliance with CQC/NHS England
standards
Line manage Clinical Services
Managers/Leads/Operations/Admin/pharmacy staff. Support recruitment, training,
appraisals, caseloads, and contingency planning for peaks/troughs, personal
development and, where appropriate, resolve any disciplinary or capability
issues
Drive service transitions, digital
transformation (EMIS/CoordinateRx/EPR), MDT coordination, and quality
improvements
Chair operational groups, maintain
and monitor operational risk registers (operational/strategic risks), support
incident investigations, and present Board-level reports on
performance/risks/mitigations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead operational oversight, and implementation of comprehensive service strategies
integrating digital, financial, workforce, and governance aims. Track progress
against objectives and ensure benefits realisation
Oversee day-to-day operations of
federation services (e.g. Post-Viral, frailty pathways, diabetes, UTC support, enhanced
access), monitor KPIs such as referral volumes, waiting times, utilisation, and
savings
Bid/Tender Process and Contract
Management. Lead preparation and submission of bids/tenders for new services,
manage full contract lifecycle including negotiation, SLAs with ICB/External
partners, performance reporting, renewals, and compliance with CQC/NHS England
standards
Line manage Clinical Services
Managers/Leads/Operations/Admin/pharmacy staff. Support recruitment, training,
appraisals, caseloads, and contingency planning for peaks/troughs, personal
development and, where appropriate, resolve any disciplinary or capability
issues
Drive service transitions, digital
transformation (EMIS/CoordinateRx/EPR), MDT coordination, and quality
improvements
Chair operational groups, maintain
and monitor operational risk registers (operational/strategic risks), support
incident investigations, and present Board-level reports on
performance/risks/mitigations.Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialDegree-level qualification or equivalent senior healthcare management experience.Evidence of continued professional development relevant to operational leadership.DesirableManagement, leadership, or project management qualification.Masters-level qualification or equivalent experience.Registered Clinical Professional (Nurse/AHP)
Experience
EssentialOperational management experience within primary care, the NHS, or a comparable healthcare environment.Experience managing services, teams, workloads, and operational priorities.Experience of staff management, including recruitment, appraisal, performance support, and workforce planning.Experience of contract monitoring, compliance, or service-level agreement management.Experience of performance monitoring, reporting, data analysis, and service improvement.DesirableExperience working with ICBs, GP federations, PCNs, or other healthcare partners.Experience preparing bids, tenders, service proposals, or contract documentation.Experience supporting digital, operational, or quality improvement projects.
Knowledge
EssentialUnderstanding of primary care services, PCN arrangements, commissioned pathways, and healthcare governance.Understanding of quality assurance, risk management, patient safety, and information governance.Knowledge of relevant NHS guidance, contractual requirements, governance standards, and organisational policies.DesirableKnowledge of Kent and Medway primary care or community services.Knowledge of EMIS or other primary care information systems.
Person Specification

Qualifications
EssentialDegree-level qualification or equivalent senior healthcare management experience.Evidence of continued professional development relevant to operational leadership.DesirableManagement, leadership, or project management qualification.Masters-level qualification or equivalent experience.Registered Clinical Professional (Nurse/AHP)
Experience
EssentialOperational management experience within primary care, the NHS, or a comparable healthcare environment.Experience managing services, teams, workloads, and operational priorities.Experience of staff management, including recruitment, appraisal, performance support, and workforce planning.Experience of contract monitoring, compliance, or service-level agreement management.Experience of performance monitoring, reporting, data analysis, and service improvement.DesirableExperience working with ICBs, GP federations, PCNs, or other healthcare partners.Experience preparing bids, tenders, service proposals, or contract documentation.Experience supporting digital, operational, or quality improvement projects.
Knowledge
EssentialUnderstanding of primary care services, PCN arrangements, commissioned pathways, and healthcare governance.Understanding of quality assurance, risk management, patient safety, and information governance.Knowledge of relevant NHS guidance, contractual requirements, governance standards, and organisational policies.DesirableKnowledge of Kent and Medway primary care or community services.Knowledge of EMIS or other primary care information systems.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.Employer detailsEmployer nameWest Kent Primary CareAddressHospice In The WealdMaidstone RoadPemburyTunbridge WellsKentTN2 4TAUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameWest Kent Primary CareAddressHospice In The WealdMaidstone RoadPemburyTunbridge WellsKentTN2 4TAUnited KingdomEmployer's website