University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Chief Operating Officer

The closing date is 19 April 2026

Job summary

Are you an exceptional operational leader ready for a high-impact, high-profile role at one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country?

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an ambitious, values-driven Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Deputy COO) to provide senior operational leadership across our hospitals and community services. You will play a central role in delivering high-quality, safe and sustainable services while driving performance, transformation, and long-term strategic development.

Main duties of the job

In this senior leadership role, you will:Deputise for the Chief Operating Officer across a broad operational and strategic remit.

Provide visible, compassionate and inclusive leadership that promotes a high-performing culture.

Lead delivery of key national and local performance standards, including:o Elective care recoveryo Cancer standardso Diagnosticso Urgent and Emergency Care

Ensure high-quality, efficient operational delivery across Royal Derby Hospital and Florence Nightingale Community Hospital.

Oversee business continuity, emergency preparedness and the Trust's winter planning.

Support long-term strategic planning and the development of sustainable clinical and corporate services.

Drive continuous improvement through UHDB's Always Improving approach, supporting productivity, quality and patient outcomes.

Build strong partnerships across Integrated Care Systems, provider collaboratives and national/regional bodies.

Ensure robust governance, financial sustainability, risk management and compliance with national frameworks.

Closing date for applications: 22 April 2026

Interview date: 30 April 2026

About us

As seen across UHDB adverts, successful candidates can expect:o Professional and leadership development opportunities.o Ongoing support from recruitment to onboarding and beyond.o A wide range of staff benefits including the employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes and car schemes.

Key facts about our TrustUHDB is one of the busiest Trusts in England:

o 4,810 outpatient appointments per dayo 2077 Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatient attendances per weeko 1,115 A&E attendances per dayo 195 emergency admissions dailyo 57 operating theatres supporting 33,700+ planned surgeries annuallyo 140+ elective procedures every working dayo A research-active University Hospital with a large portfolio of clinical trials.

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience Dependant on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

320-SNR-0230

Job locations

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer will work collaboratively with all professions and the Divisional Management Teams across UHDB, to identify and implement opportunities for improved productivity, efficiency, and clinical quality ensuring that we deliver efficient services and effective patient care.

The postholder will play a key role in ensuring the Trust delivers on the full range of performance targets, business planning, business continuity, service development and delivery and will help lead the development of a high performing compassionate and inclusive culture across UHDB

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of leading and directing senior clinical and non-clinical teams in a complex environment
Successful track record in leading and supporting operational performance to achieve key performance indicators and challenging targets
Highly developed financial and business management skills and acumen

Desirable

Significant proportion of senior management experience within the NHS
Track record of leading complex operational/change management projects

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to MBA in a healthcare/Business management or equivalent

Desirable

Educated to masters degree level

Planning & organisational skills

Essential

Ability to create and shape innovative strategic vision and plans for the best possible long-term benefit of patients, the organisation and health and care systems.

People management / Leadership

Essential

Demonstrate the ability to create constructive and patient and staff focused teams across our organisations
Experience of working across multi-agency partnerships

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of leading and directing senior clinical and non-clinical teams in a complex environment
Successful track record in leading and supporting operational performance to achieve key performance indicators and challenging targets
Highly developed financial and business management skills and acumen

Desirable

Significant proportion of senior management experience within the NHS
Track record of leading complex operational/change management projects

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to MBA in a healthcare/Business management or equivalent

Desirable

Educated to masters degree level

Planning & organisational skills

Essential

Ability to create and shape innovative strategic vision and plans for the best possible long-term benefit of patients, the organisation and health and care systems.

People management / Leadership

Essential

Demonstrate the ability to create constructive and patient and staff focused teams across our organisations
Experience of working across multi-agency partnerships

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

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)