Go back
North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Chief Operating Officer

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

North Shropshire PCN is looking for a Chief Operating Officer to lead our people and operations a steady, experienced pair of hands at the head of a growing organisation.

This is a leadership role first and foremost. Youll lead our core management team, hold them to account, and take ownership of how the organisation runs day to day all while working hand-in-hand with our Clinical Directors on the direction were heading. If youre someone who gets the best out of people, who others turn to when things need steadying, and who takes real satisfaction in developing a team so it works well together, this is a role youll want to hear about.

Main duties of the job

As COO, your central job is to lead and develop our team.

You'll directly manage our core management team an HR Manager, an Operations Manager, an Executive Assistant and an administrator, holding them to account, and taking ownership of the leadership of the organisation. Through them you'll hold overall responsibility for a workforce of around 60 staff across the PCN and our six practices.

Alongside leading people, you will,

- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the PCN delivered through your Operations Manager making sure services run safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

- Back your HR Manager, who leads on people management and HR, ensuring people practices across the workforce are effective, fair and consistent.

- Work in close partnership with the Clinical Directors to turn agreed priorities into deliverable plans, and share responsibility for how the PCN performs.

- Build strong, trusted relationships with practice managers and operational leads.

- Represent the PCN as a credible senior presence with the ICB, the wider collaborative, neighbouring PCNs and other partners fostering excellence beyond the organisation as well as within it.

- Oversee budgeting, financial planning, governance and reporting alongside the Clinical Directors and Board.

You'll deliver the Network Contract DES and its obligations, but you'll do it through a well-led, well-organised team not on your own.

About us

North Shropshire PCN brings together six GP practices serving around 90,000 patients across North Shropshire. Were a close-knit network with a genuine commitment to doing things well, and were investing in our people and our management structure as we grow.

You'll be part of a network led by two Clinical Directors and a supportive Board, working within the wider North Shropshire GP Collaborative. As COO youll have the backing of clinical leadership who understand what you do, an established management team to lead and develop, and the chance to shape how the organisation works as it grows.

Details

Date posted

16 July 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£55,000 to £65,000 a year dependent on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A5119-26-0001

Job locations

North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Drumcarrig

Bridgewater Street

Whitchurch, Shropshire

SY13 1QH

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

Objective of the role

The Chief Operating Officer provides steady, visible leadership at the head of North Shropshire PCN. Working in close partnership with the Clinical Directors, the COO leads the organisations people and operations developing the core management team and workforce, delivering operational excellence day to day, and supporting the strategic direction agreed with clinical leadership and the Board.

This is first and foremost a role about leading people. The COO leads the PCNs core management team an HR Manager, an Operations Manager, an Executive Assistant and an Administrator managing them, holding them to account, and taking ownership of the leadership of the organisation. Through this team the COO holds overall responsibility for a staff group of around 60 ARRS colleagues working across six member practices. The focus is on developing the current team and getting the best from it fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism and wellbeing while sustaining strong, trusted relationships with the Clinical Directors, practice managers and external partners.

Main responsibilities

Leadership of people and teams

- Provide clear, steady and visible leadership to the PCN, setting the tone and standards for how the organisation works.

- Directly manage the core management team the HR Manager, Operations Manager, Executive Assistant and Administrator holding them to account for delivery and taking ownership of the leadership of the organisation.

- Develop the current team, getting the best from each member and supporting them to grow and succeed in their roles.

- Hold overall leadership responsibility for the wider PCN workforce (around 60 ARRS staff), delivered through the management team.

- Support the HR Manager, who leads on the management of people and HR across the PCN, ensuring people practices are effective, fair and consistent.

- Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture, prioritising staff engagement, development and wellbeing.

Operational leadership and excellence

- Provide oversight of the day-to-day operations of the PCN delivered through the Operations Manager ensuring services are safe, efficient and consistently high-quality.

- Oversee delivery of the Network Contract DES and associated contractual and reporting obligations.

- Build strong working relationships with practice managers and operational leads to optimise workflows and support integrated working across the six practices.

- Establish and maintain robust systems for operational performance, compliance, and the stewardship of the public finances attributed to the PCN.

- Reduce unwarranted variation between practices, supporting consistent, high-quality delivery as directed by clinical leadership.

Strategic partnership with clinical leadership

- Work in close partnership with the Clinical Directors, providing operational insight and expertise to strategic planning and decision-making.

- Help translate the agreed vision and priorities of the Board and Clinical Directors into deliverable operational plans.

- Contribute to the development of business cases, funding applications and service proposals.

- Share accountability with the Clinical Directors for the overall performance and delivery of the PCN.

Stakeholder engagement and relationships

- Represent the PCN as a senior, credible and professional presence with member practices, the ICB, neighbouring PCNs, the wider collaborative and other partners.

- Build and sustain productive relationships with external stakeholders, fostering excellence and collaboration beyond the PCN as well as within it.

- Support joint representation with the Clinical Directors in relevant forums.

Financial, governance and reporting

- Oversee budgeting, financial planning and reporting in partnership with the Clinical Directors and Board, identifying opportunities for value and efficiency.

- Provide clear, timely operational and performance reporting to the Board and Clinical Directors.

- Support the implementation of governance frameworks, risk management and appropriate record-keeping.

- Ensure operational compliance with relevant regulations, policies and guidelines.

Digital and transformation

- Support the operational delivery of the PCNs digital and transformation priorities in collaboration with clinical leadership.

- Ensure operational systems and data support good decision-making and population health management.

Key attributes for the role

- A strong people leader someone who has previously excelled at managing, developing and getting the best from teams.

- A steady, dependable pair of hands at the head of the organisation, calm under pressure.

- Excellent communicator and relationship-builder, at ease with clinical leaders, managers, staff and external partners.

- Able to balance operational delivery with strategic support, and to translate direction into action.

- Solution-focused, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.

- Sound grasp of financial and governance responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Objective of the role

The Chief Operating Officer provides steady, visible leadership at the head of North Shropshire PCN. Working in close partnership with the Clinical Directors, the COO leads the organisations people and operations developing the core management team and workforce, delivering operational excellence day to day, and supporting the strategic direction agreed with clinical leadership and the Board.

This is first and foremost a role about leading people. The COO leads the PCNs core management team an HR Manager, an Operations Manager, an Executive Assistant and an Administrator managing them, holding them to account, and taking ownership of the leadership of the organisation. Through this team the COO holds overall responsibility for a staff group of around 60 ARRS colleagues working across six member practices. The focus is on developing the current team and getting the best from it fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism and wellbeing while sustaining strong, trusted relationships with the Clinical Directors, practice managers and external partners.

Main responsibilities

Leadership of people and teams

- Provide clear, steady and visible leadership to the PCN, setting the tone and standards for how the organisation works.

- Directly manage the core management team the HR Manager, Operations Manager, Executive Assistant and Administrator holding them to account for delivery and taking ownership of the leadership of the organisation.

- Develop the current team, getting the best from each member and supporting them to grow and succeed in their roles.

- Hold overall leadership responsibility for the wider PCN workforce (around 60 ARRS staff), delivered through the management team.

- Support the HR Manager, who leads on the management of people and HR across the PCN, ensuring people practices are effective, fair and consistent.

- Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture, prioritising staff engagement, development and wellbeing.

Operational leadership and excellence

- Provide oversight of the day-to-day operations of the PCN delivered through the Operations Manager ensuring services are safe, efficient and consistently high-quality.

- Oversee delivery of the Network Contract DES and associated contractual and reporting obligations.

- Build strong working relationships with practice managers and operational leads to optimise workflows and support integrated working across the six practices.

- Establish and maintain robust systems for operational performance, compliance, and the stewardship of the public finances attributed to the PCN.

- Reduce unwarranted variation between practices, supporting consistent, high-quality delivery as directed by clinical leadership.

Strategic partnership with clinical leadership

- Work in close partnership with the Clinical Directors, providing operational insight and expertise to strategic planning and decision-making.

- Help translate the agreed vision and priorities of the Board and Clinical Directors into deliverable operational plans.

- Contribute to the development of business cases, funding applications and service proposals.

- Share accountability with the Clinical Directors for the overall performance and delivery of the PCN.

Stakeholder engagement and relationships

- Represent the PCN as a senior, credible and professional presence with member practices, the ICB, neighbouring PCNs, the wider collaborative and other partners.

- Build and sustain productive relationships with external stakeholders, fostering excellence and collaboration beyond the PCN as well as within it.

- Support joint representation with the Clinical Directors in relevant forums.

Financial, governance and reporting

- Oversee budgeting, financial planning and reporting in partnership with the Clinical Directors and Board, identifying opportunities for value and efficiency.

- Provide clear, timely operational and performance reporting to the Board and Clinical Directors.

- Support the implementation of governance frameworks, risk management and appropriate record-keeping.

- Ensure operational compliance with relevant regulations, policies and guidelines.

Digital and transformation

- Support the operational delivery of the PCNs digital and transformation priorities in collaboration with clinical leadership.

- Ensure operational systems and data support good decision-making and population health management.

Key attributes for the role

- A strong people leader someone who has previously excelled at managing, developing and getting the best from teams.

- A steady, dependable pair of hands at the head of the organisation, calm under pressure.

- Excellent communicator and relationship-builder, at ease with clinical leaders, managers, staff and external partners.

- Able to balance operational delivery with strategic support, and to translate direction into action.

- Solution-focused, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.

- Sound grasp of financial and governance responsibilities.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • - Proven track record of leading, managing and developing people and teams, with demonstrable success in getting the best from others
  • - Experience of managing, and holding to account, a team of managers or senior staff
  • - Senior operational management experience within a complex organisation
  • - Experience of developing an existing team and embedding a positive, high-performing culture

Desirable

  • - Experience working within a PCN or the wider NHS
  • - Experience within NHS primary care or general practice (highly desirable)
  • - Knowledge of general practice and PCN operations, the network DES and ARRS workforce

Qualifications

Desirable

  • -Degree-level education or equivalent experience
  • -People management or HR qualification, e.g. CIPD (or willingness to work towards)
  • -Project management qualification, e.g. PRINCE2 or equivalent

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • - A steady, calm and dependable presence at the head of the organisation
  • - Self-motivated, adaptable and solution-focused
  • - Committed to continuous improvement and to developing those around them
  • - Full driving licence and ability to travel independently across North Shropshire

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • - Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, able to work in close partnership with clinical leaders, practice managers and external stakeholders
  • - Strong operational and organisational skills, with the judgement to prioritise and deliver under pressure
  • - Ability to translate strategic direction into effective operational delivery
  • - Sound understanding of financial and governance responsibilities
  • - Confident with data, systems and reporting to support decision-making
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • - Proven track record of leading, managing and developing people and teams, with demonstrable success in getting the best from others
  • - Experience of managing, and holding to account, a team of managers or senior staff
  • - Senior operational management experience within a complex organisation
  • - Experience of developing an existing team and embedding a positive, high-performing culture

Desirable

  • - Experience working within a PCN or the wider NHS
  • - Experience within NHS primary care or general practice (highly desirable)
  • - Knowledge of general practice and PCN operations, the network DES and ARRS workforce

Qualifications

Desirable

  • -Degree-level education or equivalent experience
  • -People management or HR qualification, e.g. CIPD (or willingness to work towards)
  • -Project management qualification, e.g. PRINCE2 or equivalent

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • - A steady, calm and dependable presence at the head of the organisation
  • - Self-motivated, adaptable and solution-focused
  • - Committed to continuous improvement and to developing those around them
  • - Full driving licence and ability to travel independently across North Shropshire

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • - Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, able to work in close partnership with clinical leaders, practice managers and external stakeholders
  • - Strong operational and organisational skills, with the judgement to prioritise and deliver under pressure
  • - Ability to translate strategic direction into effective operational delivery
  • - Sound understanding of financial and governance responsibilities
  • - Confident with data, systems and reporting to support decision-making

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Address

North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Drumcarrig

Bridgewater Street

Whitchurch, Shropshire

SY13 1QH

United Kingdom

Employer details

Employer name

North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Address

North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Drumcarrig

Bridgewater Street

Whitchurch, Shropshire

SY13 1QH

United Kingdom

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

North Shropshire PCN

northshropshire.pcn@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

16 July 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£55,000 to £65,000 a year dependent on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A5119-26-0001

Job locations

North Shropshire Primary Care Network

Drumcarrig

Bridgewater Street

Whitchurch, Shropshire

SY13 1QH

United Kingdom


Privacy notice

North Shropshire Primary Care Network's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)