Job summary
The Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) provides strategic and operational leadership across the GP federation, supporting the CEO in the delivery of high-quality, coordinated, and sustainable primary care services. The postholder plays a key role in the day-to-day management of service delivery, workforce planning, and operational performance, ensuring that services are responsive, patient-focused, and aligned with national and local priorities.
The DCOO is responsible for overseeing the implementation of service transformation initiatives, supporting the development of new models of care, and embedding continuous improvement across the federation. Working collaboratively with clinical, operational, and corporate teams, as well as external stakeholders, the DCOO helps drive integration, efficiency, and innovation across service pathways.
This role also carries responsibility for delegated budgets, contractual compliance, and resource management, ensuring services are delivered safely, effectively, and within agreed financial frameworks.
Main duties of the job
Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across the federation, supporting the CEO in delivering high-quality, integrated, and sustainable services.
- Lead the delivery of the Primary Care Network (PCN) contract, including direct line management of Digital and Business Transformation Managers, and strong collaboration with PCN Clinical Directors.
- Drive the development and implementation of service delivery plans and transformation initiatives that reflect national policy, local priorities, and the federation's strategic objectives.
- Lead quality assurance and compliance processes for the federation's directly managed GP practices, ensuring high standards of care, patient safety, and readiness for CQC inspection.
Governance and Performance
- Ensure robust governance and risk management frameworks are embedded across operational delivery.
- Monitor compliance with contractual obligations and key performance indicators, producing regular reports for the CEO and Board.
- Lead on learning from incidents, complaints, and audits, embedding improvements and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
About us
Formed in 2016, NCGPA is a GP federation made-up of over 30+ member practices within the Nottingham city area, covering a population of over 400k patients.
We believe the best way to support general practice is through partnership and collaboration. By combining knowledge, sharing knowledge, and pooling resources, we can help practices become more resilient to the challenges they face.
From our headquarters in Nottingham city centre, we directly run four practices from a centralised hub, support the employment of staff in our PCN teams, and operate City Wide Services. We assist with finance, HR, communications, and logistical support so frontline staff can reserve their time and energy for helping patients.
The day to day running of the company is through a Senior Management team, comprising of the Chair, Finance Director, and Medical Director along with thecompany's Chief Executive Officer. They work alongside our Board to shape our future direction with the valued input from our member practices. Between them, they have a wealth of experience of delivering quality care to patients in Nottingham and share a unified ambition to create a bright future for general practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Confidentiality
While seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow up to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
Information may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Federations policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Health and Safety
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Federations Health and Safety policy.
Safeguarding
All employees are responsible for taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the risk of harm to children and vulnerable adults are minimised. They should take all appropriate actions to address concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures, including the guidance on Safeguarding, in partnership with other relevant agencies. This includes accessing appropriate training, advice, and support.
Disclosure and Barring Services
This post will be subject to a DBS Disclosure check at the point of recruitment and thereafter.
Infection Control
All employees have an individual responsibility to have knowledge of and employ the basic principles of infection prevention and control practice. All employees must comply with Infection Prevention and Control mandatory training requirements.
Equality and Diversity
The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Education & Qualifications
Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. healthcare, business, management)
Evidence of continued professional development
Masters degree in healthcare management, public health, business administration, or similar
Leadership or management qualification
Experience
Extensive experience in a senior operational or strategic role in healthcare, preferably primary care
Experience managing CQC-regulated services
Experience of leading service transformation and quality improvement programmes
Experience of working with external stakeholders including commissioners and regulatory bodies
Experience working in a GP Federation, PCN, or similar primary care structure
Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams
Knowledge
Strong understanding of NHS structures, policies, and strategic priorities
In-depth knowledge of governance, performance, and risk management in healthcare settings
Understanding of financial and contract management principles
Knowledge of quality assurance and regulatory compliance (e.g. CQC)
Knowledge of digital transformation in primary care
Awareness of workforce planning and ARRS roles within PCNs
Job description
Job responsibilities
Confidentiality
While seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow up to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
Information may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Federations policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Health and Safety
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Federations Health and Safety policy.
Safeguarding
All employees are responsible for taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the risk of harm to children and vulnerable adults are minimised. They should take all appropriate actions to address concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures, including the guidance on Safeguarding, in partnership with other relevant agencies. This includes accessing appropriate training, advice, and support.
Disclosure and Barring Services
This post will be subject to a DBS Disclosure check at the point of recruitment and thereafter.
Infection Control
All employees have an individual responsibility to have knowledge of and employ the basic principles of infection prevention and control practice. All employees must comply with Infection Prevention and Control mandatory training requirements.
Equality and Diversity
The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Education & Qualifications
Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. healthcare, business, management)
Evidence of continued professional development
Masters degree in healthcare management, public health, business administration, or similar
Leadership or management qualification
Experience
Extensive experience in a senior operational or strategic role in healthcare, preferably primary care
Experience managing CQC-regulated services
Experience of leading service transformation and quality improvement programmes
Experience of working with external stakeholders including commissioners and regulatory bodies
Experience working in a GP Federation, PCN, or similar primary care structure
Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams
Knowledge
Strong understanding of NHS structures, policies, and strategic priorities
In-depth knowledge of governance, performance, and risk management in healthcare settings
Understanding of financial and contract management principles
Knowledge of quality assurance and regulatory compliance (e.g. CQC)
Knowledge of digital transformation in primary care
Awareness of workforce planning and ARRS roles within PCNs
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. healthcare, business, management)
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Master's degree in healthcare management, public health, business administration, or similar
- Leadership or management qualification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in a senior operational or strategic role in healthcare, preferably primary care
- Experience managing CQC-regulated services
- ce of leading service transformation and quality improvement programmes
- Experience of working with external stakeholders including commissioners and regulatory bodies
Desirable
- Experience working in a GP Federation, PCN, or similar primary care structure
- Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams
Knowledge
Essential
- Strong understanding of NHS structures, policies, and strategic priorities
- In-depth knowledge of governance, performance, and risk management in healthcare settings
- Understanding of financial and contract management principles
- Knowledge of quality assurance and regulatory compliance (e.g. CQC)
Desirable
- Knowledge of digital transformation in primary care
- Awareness of workforce planning and ARRS roles within PCNs
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Ability to manage and motivate diverse teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure
Desirable
- Project or programme management skills
- Facilitation and change management skills
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. healthcare, business, management)
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Master's degree in healthcare management, public health, business administration, or similar
- Leadership or management qualification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in a senior operational or strategic role in healthcare, preferably primary care
- Experience managing CQC-regulated services
- ce of leading service transformation and quality improvement programmes
- Experience of working with external stakeholders including commissioners and regulatory bodies
Desirable
- Experience working in a GP Federation, PCN, or similar primary care structure
- Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams
Knowledge
Essential
- Strong understanding of NHS structures, policies, and strategic priorities
- In-depth knowledge of governance, performance, and risk management in healthcare settings
- Understanding of financial and contract management principles
- Knowledge of quality assurance and regulatory compliance (e.g. CQC)
Desirable
- Knowledge of digital transformation in primary care
- Awareness of workforce planning and ARRS roles within PCNs
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Ability to manage and motivate diverse teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence and build relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure
Desirable
- Project or programme management skills
- Facilitation and change management skills
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
