Head of Operations

Job summary

Are 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 job

The 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 us

West 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:

• Respect
• Kindness
• Communication
• Collaboration

What we can offer:

• Favourable terms and conditions
• Match NHS Annual Leave entitlement
• NEST and NHS Pension
• A comprehensive induction into the company followed by a local induction to introduce you to the role
• Training, support, and development in your career
• Flexible working arrangements
• Recognition via Employee of the Month scheme
• Wellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme

*Due to travel requirements for the role it would be beneficial for applicants to have a full driving license

Office Contact: 01892 481821

Details

• Date posted: 26 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £64,000 to £77,000 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: E0008-WKF292
• Job locations: Hospice In The Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 4TA, United Kingdom

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.