Deputy Head of Operations

Deputy Head of Operations

We are pleased to invite applications for the role of Deputy Head of Operations (DHoO) for Paddock Wood, an exciting opportunity to support the ongoing transition to our new Clinical Operating Model and help shape the future of operational leadership within the division. As Deputy Head of Operations, you will play a key role in delivering high‑quality, safe and effective services across the Operating Unit.

You will support the Head of Operations in leading teams, driving performance, strengthening clinical and operational oversight, and embedding the divisional approach. This is a pivotal leadership position at a time of significant improvement and development across the service.

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and oversight across Paddock Wood
• Support the delivery of the divisional approach, ensuring consistent standards and high‑quality care
• Lead and develop OTLs and operational teams through change
• Work closely with the ACL, HOoS, DHOoS and wider leadership teams
• Drive proactive operational performance, workforce planning, wellbeing and culture
• Support incident and risk management, quality governance and escalation pathways
• Champion continuous improvement and service resilience

• Strong operational leadership experience
• Ability to lead teams through change with compassion and clarity
• Excellent communication, decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
• A focus on proactive leadership and collaborative working
• Commitment to delivering high standards of patient care and staff experience
• Confidence in managing performance, quality and governance
• Ability to build trust, influence others and deliver results

• Option to join NHS pension scheme
• A minimum of 27 days’ holiday each year, increasing after 5 years’ service
• Personal and professional development and training opportunities
• Salary sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes
• Access to occupational health and counselling services
• Award‑winning wellbeing hub
• Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money‑saving deals

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has a vision to support our staff to provide a caring, high‑quality and efficient urgent and emergency care service to our communities. We are rated “Good” for care by the Care Quality Commission and aim to continually improve and reach outstanding across all areas of the Trust. Our 4,000+ workforce provides services to 4.9 million people across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and North East Hampshire.

We handle over 1 million calls to 999 and 1 million calls to NHS 111 every year.

Following the revision of current national legislation (Vaccine as a Condition of Deployment), the Trust has reviewed its requirements relating to staff uptake of the SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID‑19) vaccination. For patient‑facing positions, the Trust strongly recommends that new starters will be appropriately vaccinated unless medically exempt. Successful applicants for a frontline post will be asked to provide information on vaccination status, including exemption status if applicable.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to declare any unspent/unfiltered convictions. If shortlisted you will then be sent a self‑declaration form, which must be completed prior to attending interview. For any queries relating to declarations, please contact the Recruitment Advisor listed on the vacancy. All positions come with a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check relevant to the post.

The level of check will be outlined in the conditional offer letter sent to successful applicants. Please note that under our Trust policies we are unable to employ anyone under the age of 18 years old.

The Trust is passionately committed to being an inclusive employer – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed. We actively support equality of opportunity for all staff and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief. The Trust is making…