Deputy Chief Operating Office / Site Director

Job overview

Division: Corporate

Band: 9

Salary: £112,782 - £119,583 per annum/pro rata

Interview date: 7th May 2026

We are seeking an operationally credible and highly motivated individual to support Medway for six months as Deputy Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Site Director. The post holder will lead the day to day running of the hospital site, supporting clinical teams to deliver the best care by maximising timely flow. They will lead the corporate operations team which includes EPRR, site and the discharge lounge, and will act as SRO for the delivery of key trust operational programmes to support UEC and elective transformation. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to patients and staff, and work alongside the COO to lead winter and surge planning for the trust.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) act as the Lead Director with specific responsibility to ensure the supportive and responsive day-to-day operational management of the hospital. In addition, they will play a key role in ensuring the Trust delivers on the full range of performance targets. They ensure quality of services to patients, visitors and staff, including management of clinical governance, healthcare standards and risk.

They will be an integral member of the COO’s team, supporting the implementation of service delivery and development plans, together with plans for on-site developments and assisting in the business planning process. The post-holder will deputise for the Chief Operating Officer at agreed times and will lead on agreed elements of the Chief Operating Officers portfolio

There will be a strong emphasis on the need to develop a culture of performance management and delivery, improvement and appraisal as a foundation for organisational performance. They will manage the delivery of agreed performance indicators in relation to clinical outcomes, clinical efficiency and service in reporting.

The post-holder will be expected to work closely with clinical staff in developing effective multi-disciplinary services. They will have a key role in the success of the Trust’s corporate agenda, working with Directors within the framework provided by the Trust Board and individual Directors.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be a designated MFT representative for system and Partnership working acting on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• To support the Divisional Teams in identifying new opportunities for individual services with the Trust, arising from changes in the external environment or internal innovation and to identify any potential threats along with appropriate responses
• To act as an advocate for the Trust and its contribution to the local health economy by creating and maintaining effective partnerships and relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• To work with the COO to ensure the effective operational management of the Trust on a day to day basis and, in turn, maintain achievement of the Trust’s key performance indicators. With a focus on developing a high-performance culture to ensure the delivery of all the Trust’s constitutional standards
• On behalf of the COO, to provide effective operational management systems and processes for clinical and other staff to deliver high quality clinical care within available budgets. To develop and embed systems, processes, tools and protocols that enhance flow and discharge and site operational management, such as escalation frameworks
• To exercise delegated authority on behalf of the COO to resolve day-to-day management issues within the Trust and operationally lead the divisions to deliver safe flow and discharge
• To ensure appropriate management capacity at all levels operating within an organisational structure which delivers responsive, safe and reliable patient services
• To ensure sufficient data availability to monitor and track performance and to satisfy reporting requirements. Provide appropriate input and challenge to clinical and business plans, where necessary
• To ensure that service improvement work is underpinned by a robust process of evaluation
• To ensure that the Trust’s service improvement and development work is focussed on the needs of patients
• Ensure that all staff are appropriately managed and developed and that they are therefore efficient, effective, engaged and highly motivated to deliver the business plan and reform agenda whilst improving patient experience
• Create a supportive organisational culture across the Trust in which people feel empowered and committed to high standards of care within the context of Trust’s management culture
• To support the development and implementation of Trust-wide cost savings schemes, through service and productivity improvement
• To ensure financial and budget requirements for areas of responsibility are met, including the delivery of any cost efficiency targets
• To ensure all budgets (pay and non-pay) are managed within the Trust’s Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions and relevant statutory provisions and national directives, and also in line with the annual financial plan
• To support the COO with the implementation of systems, control processes and risk management arrangements to support monitoring of compliance with clinical governance standards, other Trust-wide policies and processes and best practice requirements