Chief Operating OfficerNHS

Job summary

DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL CARE TOGETHER

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join two ambitious NHS organisations at the heart of one of the most innovative provider partnerships in England.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust (WHT) are seeking to appoint an outstanding leader to the role of Chief Operating Officer for Planned Care, providing leadership across our integrated provider partnership.

Reporting to the Group Chief Delivery Officer, the Chief Operating Officer will lead the strategic and operational delivery of elective care, diagnostics, cancer services, theatres, outpatient transformation, productivity and planned pathways across both Trusts. This is a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality services, while driving performance improvement, innovation and transformation at scale.

Indicated Interview Date: Thursday 26th November

Main duties of the job

In 2026, both organisations launched a joint strategy called "Transforming Care Together" reflecting their shared ambition to improve outcomes for local communities through closer collaboration and integrated leadership.

Everything we do is aligned to our strategic priorities and our commitment to working as a group provider partnership while retaining the strengths and identities of both organisations. This is an exciting time to join us as we develop innovative models of care, improve productivity and performance, and strengthen services for the people of Wolverhampton, Walsall and the wider Black Country.

As Chief Operating Officer, you will be a key member of the group senior leadership team, working alongside executive colleagues and our operational and corporate teams to deliver exceptional operational performance, high-quality patient care and sustainable service improvement.You will be expected to:

• Provide visible and inspirational leadership.
• Lead large-scale operational transformation across multiple service areas.
• Drive performance against national and local priorities.
• Deliver improvement in quality, access and productivity.
• Develop strong partnerships across the Black Country Integrated Care System.
• Support the ongoing integration of services across both Trusts.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure services are delivered within agreed quality, workforce and financial frameworks.

Job description

The role offers a unique platform to shape healthcare delivery across the group and influence system-wide transformation at scale.

We are seeking an exceptional, values-driven leader who:

• Have substantial senior operational leadership experience within complex healthcare organisations.
• Are experienced in delivering significant performance improvement and service transformation.
• Have a proven track record of leading large multidisciplinary teams through change.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking alongside operational delivery expertise.
• Build strong and effective relationships with clinicians, colleagues and external partners.
• Lead with integrity, compassion and authenticity.
• Share our commitment to equality, inclusion and outstanding patient care.

Most importantly, we are looking for a leader who is passionate about improving services and outcomes for patients, staff and communities.

By joining our group, you will be part of organisations that:

• Employ more than 16,000 colleagues across acute, community and primary care services.
• Deliver care to hundreds of thousands of residents across the Black Country and surrounding areas.
• Lead nationally recognised innovation programmes in clinical care and digital transformation.
• Have ambitious plans for further integration, improvement and growth.
• Are committed to research, education and workforce development.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Are investing significantly in sustainability and greener healthcare.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact at scale, helping to shape the future of healthcare delivery for current and future generations.

About us

RWT and WHT have a combined workforce of 16,000 people and together serve a proud Black Country population of 600,000.

RWT is one of the largest acute and community providers in the West Midlands, serving communities across Wolverhampton, Cannock, South Staffordshire and surrounding areas. It operates New Cross Hospital, an 850-bed acute and specialist hospital; West Park Hospital; Cannock Chase Hospital; more than 20 community sites; Urgent Treatment Centres; and a growing portfolio of GP practices.

As the largest teaching hospital in the Black Country, RWT has strong university partnerships and supports the education and development of the next generation of healthcare professionals. The Trust is recognised for innovation including robotic surgery, virtual wards, digital transformation, same-day hip replacement pathways, advanced simulation training and investment in electronic patient records and sustainable healthcare.

WHT is an integrated provider of acute and community services. Centered on Manor Hospital with 460 beds, the Trust delivers a comprehensive range of acute, community and specialist services and plays a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.Driven by a strong focus on continuous improvement, quality and patient-centered care, Walsall has established a reputation for innovation and collaboration while working closely with partners across the Black Country Integrated Care System.