Chief Operating Officer

The Opportunity

This is a critical interim leadership role within a fast-growing, innovative healthcare organisation undergoing significant transformation. Following recent strategic acquisitions, the business is entering a pivotal integration phase - bringing together multiple operating models, cultures, and service lines under a single, high-performing framework.

As Interim Chief Operating Officer
, you will take full accountability for operational performance across a diverse national portfolio spanning a range of healthcare services.

This is a hands-on, visible leadership role. Success will depend on your ability to be present in the regions, engage senior operational leaders, and turn strategy into action - quickly.

• Integration & Transformation: Lead the rapid integration of newly acquired organisations with contrasting cost bases, cultures, and operating styles. Remove legacy branding and align teams behind a single operating model.
• Operational Performance: Direct and support four Operations Directors, ensuring consistent delivery against demanding NHS contractual KPIs, including access, response, and appointment standards.
• Financial Grip: Protect and improve EBITDA through disciplined performance management and the development of credible Cost Improvement Plans.
• Commissioner Relationships: Rebuild trust and credibility with commissioners in complex or underperforming regions, addressing historic issues and providing confident, solutions-focused leadership.

You are a resilient, commercially astute interim leader who combines operational rigour with high emotional intelligence.

You will bring:

• Strong Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of NHS contracts, KPIs, and regulated healthcare delivery - combined with experience in commercially driven or performance-critical environments.
• Private healthcare Leadership Experience
  :
  It is essential that candidates bring demonstrable experience leading private (for profit or non-profit) healthcare services.
• Credible, Grounded Leadership: High capability without ego. You are calm under pressure, thick-skinned, values-led, and able to maintain a positive, human culture while delivering tough outcomes.
• Change & Integration
  
  Experience:
  
  A proven track record of leading complex integrations, aligning disparate teams, and managing multiple service lines at scale.
• Senior Operational Leadership: Experience managing Operations Directors or equivalent senior leaders.

If you are an outcome-focused interim COO with the commercial edge and leadership maturity to deliver transformation in a regulated healthcare environment, we’d like to hear from you.