Director of Operations

Job summary

As an essential part of the NHS, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) works to make the most of every donation from blood and organs to tissues and stem cells. We are more than a healthcare organisation: we are also a complex supply chain, a biomedical manufacturer, and a trusted partner in research and innovation. At our heart, we enable daily acts of generosity from the thousands of blood donors who give their time every day, to the families who, in moments of profound grief, consent for their loved ones to become organ and tissue donors. It is for these donors, their families, and the patients they help that we strive to be the very best in everything we do. The environment in which we operate is changing. We face increasing demand, evolving technology, and the need to deliver more efficiently and sustainably. This brings significant opportunities for transformation modernising our operations, embracing digital innovation, and strengthening partnerships to ensure we remain resilient and future-ready. Our ambition is clear: to save and improve even more lives by building a world where every patient receives the donation they need. To achieve this, we are focused on five priorities: growing and diversifying our donor base; modernising our operations; driving innovation into practice; collaborating with partners; and investing in our people and culture.

Main duties of the job

As our new Director of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in enabling the delivery of this strategy, reporting into the Executive Director of Blood Supply and working closely with colleagues across our leadership team to support NHSBT through the next phase of our transformation. As Director of Operations, you will be leading large scale, complex services for an organisation dedicated to saving and improving thousands of lives each year. The role presents an exciting opportunity for manufacturing and testing automation and digital transformation. The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership across the supply chain, with accountability for delivering high-quality, efficient and resilient services at national scale. The role requires balancing operational delivery with strategic transformation, ensuring NHSBT can meet current performance requirements while developing the capabilities required for future sustainability.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need. Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever. You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Details

• Date posted: 02 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £100,000 to £131,300 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 009112
• Job locations: NHSBT Filton, Filton, England, BS34 7QH, United Kingdom, NHS Blood and Transplant, Charcot Road, London, NW9 5BG, United Kingdom, NHS Blood and Transplant, 14 Estuary Banks, Speke, Liverpool, L24 8RB, United Kingdom, NHS Blood and Transplant, Tooting Centre, 75 Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RB, United Kingdom, NHS Blood and Transplant, Birmingham Centre, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SG, United Kingdom, NHS Blood and Transplant, Unit D, Capitol Way, Dodworth, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3FG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

We are seeking an inspirational Director of Operations with a track record of operations leadership in complex operating environments, a proven background in working successfully in partnership across organisational boundaries and who can expand and build on our commitment to being an intentionally inclusive organisation.

This is a rare national leadership role with the potential to influence the lives of millions of people while shaping an organisation that combines purpose with innovation.

If you are looking for an opportunity to apply your leadership to a purpose-driven organisation at the heart of the NHS, please visit: be www.odgers.com/96417 or email your application to peter.mason@odgers.com

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment and help towards making NHSBT a great place to work for everyone. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or other personal circumstances. We are particularly keen to hear from those currently under-represented in the organisation.

Closing date is Monday 27th July 2026