Chief Operating Officer
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- Employer:
- Medway NHS Foundation Trust
- Location:
- Gillingham, Kent
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Closing date :
- 9am Monday 15th June 2026
- Job Ref:
- GSe131512
Associated documents
Description
Medway NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join our Board. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for leading and driving the Trust’s operational performance and service delivery during a critical period of improvement and change.
We are an organisation with ambition. We are delivering our Integrated Improvement Plan at pace, strengthening quality, performance, governance and culture, and responding to significant operational challenge, including our participation in the National Provider Improvement Programme.
As Chief Operating Officer, you will be at the heart of delivering the Trust’s vision and strategic ambition, providing visible, values‑driven leadership across all aspects of day‑to‑day operations, bringing pace, clarity and compassion to everything you do. You will also oversee the organisational performance assurance and reporting framework, and act as the lead executive for the delivery of all performance standards, working in partnership with Executive colleagues and our system partners.
We are looking for an accomplished operational leader with a proven track record at or close to board level. Experienced in leading complex change and delivering sustained performance improvement, you will be a natural collaborator and strategic thinker, with the ability to quickly develop credibility, clarity, and confidence both internally and externally. Most importantly, you will share our BEST values, and help shape a culture focused on delivering safe, high‑quality, patient‑centred care.
If you are energised by challenge and committed to improving outcomes for patients and communities, we would love to hear from you.
For a confidential conversation or to express interest, please contact our executive search partners at GatenbySanderson.
Stephanie Crossland, Research Associate
E: stephanie.crossland@gatenbysanderson.com
T: +44 (0) 113 268 0704
Julia St Clare, Senior Consultant and Research Lead
E: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.com
T: +44 (0) 7807 631 564
Melanie Shearer, Partner
E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com
T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548
Closing date: 9am Friday 19th June 2026
Final Panel: w/c 6th July 2026
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How to Apply
- Please submit an up to date copy of your CV, along with a Supporting Statement that addresses the criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.
- A completed fit and proper person form – the template can be downloaded from the same place as the job description.
- Detail any employment or education gaps.
- You should provide the names, positions, organisations, and contact details for your referees, which must be your line managers and include your current and most recent employer. The referees should cover at least two roles as the minimum. Please note, should you be appointed, you will be required to provide references covering your last 6 years of employment as per the new NHS Fit and Proper Person regulations. Where there have been gaps in employment, this six year period will be extended accordingly. Referees will only be contacted for those proceeding to the final stage - we will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
- Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
- Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email to confirm that you have applied. If you do not receive this email, please make contact with GatenbySanderson.