Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Deputy Chief Operating Officer

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 27 September 2026

The Deputy Group Chief Operating Officer is a pivotal senior leadership role supporting the Group Chief Operating Officer to oversee complex, interconnected hospital and community services across UHB. Working closely with Hospital Operations Directors, Group Clinical Support Services and Birmingham and Solihull ICS partners, the postholder will provide strategic oversight of operational delivery, with particular emphasis on urgent and emergency care, patient flow, performance, resilience and system-wide improvement. The role is directly accountable for emergency preparedness, resilience and response, Medical Records, Interpreting Services and operational co-ordination, and will deputise for the Group COO as required. Rather than managing day-to-day site operations, the postholder will provide assurance, challenge and support to devolved hospital leadership, align delivery with Group strategy, reduce unwarranted variation, share learning and secure delivery against plans. They will lead collaboratively across organisational boundaries to improve access, outcomes and health inequalities, ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate setting. As a visible, values-led leader, they will foster a psychologically safe, inclusive and high-performing culture, embodying UHB's values of being kind, connected and bold while ensuring staff are valued and empowered to provide excellent patient care.

Main duties of the job

Provide strategic oversight, assurance and challenge across UHB's hospitals and services, supporting delivery of operational plans, standards and continuous improvement. Lead Group oversight of urgent and emergency care, patient flow, demand and capacity, seasonal pressures and operational co-ordination, balancing pressures across urgent and planned care. Hold executive accountability for emergency preparedness, resilience and response, business continuity, Medical Records and Interpreting Services, ensuring robust governance, performance management and risk mitigation. Work with hospital leaders and Birmingham and Solihull ICS partners to improve access, reduce unwarranted variation, redesign pathways, support admission avoidance and timely discharge, and address health inequalities. Lead annual planning, align operational, workforce and financial plans, manage delegated budgets and use data to identify where intervention is required. Develop senior teams, promote inclusive and compassionate leadership, and ensure effective recruitment, appraisal, succession and staff development. Participate in the Strategic Executive on-call rota, oversee tactical on-call arrangements, represent UHB regionally and nationally, and deputise for the Group Chief Operating Officer as required.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Qualifications

• *Educated to Master's level or equivalent level of experience and evidence of continuing professional development. (Essential)
• *In depth knowledge of other management disciplines e.g. Financial Management, Operational Performance, Information systems

Experience

• *Experience of leading operational functions within an NHS acute provider at a senior leadership level, and experience of working with a Board.
• *Experience in successful capacity planning and translating organisational vision and strategy into operational objectives.
• *Experience of managing complex problems.
• *Demonstrable track record of sound financial management.
• *Demonstrable track record of operational and corporate performance delivery, improvement and transformation.
• *Demonstrable track record of achievement in the provision of excellent interpersonal, strategic and technical skills experience.
• *Demonstrates effective partnership and collaborative working with internal and external stakeholders.
• *Demonstrates strong commitment to action to achieve equality, diversity and inclusivity in the provision of services and staffing.
• *Significant experience in leading successful organisational change in developing new models of healthcare delivery.

Additional Criteria

• *Exhibits behaviours in line with UHB Trust Values:
• *Ability to show kindness to each other, and to our patients and visitors, every day.
• *Ability to build connections with everyone around us.
• *Ability to be bold in how you think, speak and act.
• *Able to participate in the Strategic (Executive) on-call rota.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust