Head of Operations and Strategy

Are you keen to lead exciting transformational and strategicchange with the 10-year neighbourhood plan for Primary and community services?

An exciting opportunity is available to join West KentPrimary Care (WKPC) as a Head of Operations & Strategy.

We are seeking an experienced andvisionary individual to lead our clinical and operational teams ensuring thedelivery of exceptional patient care. We are looking for an enthusiastic andself-driven individual who is a team player, with strong leadership skills,excellent communication skills and a professionalapproach that demonstrates our values.

The post holder will lead, direct,and manage the development ofstrategic and operational policy within WKPC, whilst remaining responsible foroverseeing day-to-day operations delivered by clinical service managers. Incollaboration with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Senior management team (SMT) the post holderwill lead the development of new services whilst considering futureopportunities to expand WKPC to support primary care.

We are happy to facilitate informal discussions about therole. Please contact us and ask for Claire Ratnayake (Chief Executive Officer)

Successful candidates will be invited to a panelinterview with a presentation element.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be pivotal to overseeingand implementing change to ensure WKPC continues to support practices/Primarycare networks as they move into neighborhoods working with other local systemproviders in West Kent such as the Kent Community Health Trust, the MentalHealth Trust, the voluntary sector and the local authority. WKPC willlook to support Primary care to display and engage with a collaborative integratedapproach across services, ensuring innovation and creativity is always presentwithin transformation of services.

This is an exciting time tojoin WKPC during a period of strategic growth and expansion. The post holder willhave the opportunity to lead on major collaborative activities across the West Kent footprint andwork in partnership with providers across the Health Care Partnership (HCP).

This post will report into the CEOand support the Director of Finance and Director of Nursing & Quality whoform the SMT. They will also work closely with the governance, workforce anddigital teams to communicate and embed strategic direction and organisationalchange in West Kent community and Primary care services. You will participate inthe manager on-call arrangements to ensure that effective leadership is inplace to support the delivery of safe operational services.

About us

West Kent Primary Care will act as employer for this role. We are a collaborative and ambitious GP Federation working with GP practices across Sevenoaks, Weald, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Malling, and Maidstone to improve General Practice provision in the area. West Kent Primary Care are a supportive and friendly organisation whose aim is to provide high quality, seamless health care that enables people to lead healthier lives, whilst feeling supported and cared for.

Our Values:

• Respect
• Kindness
• Communication

What we can offer:

• Favourable terms and conditions
• Match NHS Annual Leave entitlement
• NEST and NHS Pension
• A comprehensive induction into the company followed by a local induction to introduce you to the role
• Training, support, and development in your career
• Flexible working arrangements
• Recognition via Employee of the Month scheme
• Wellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme

Due to travel requirements for the role it would be beneficial for applicants to have a full driving license

Office Contact:

Job responsibilities

Lead strategic planning,operational oversight, and implementation of comprehensive service strategiesintegrating digital, financial, workforce, and governance aims. Track progressagainst objectives and ensure benefits realisation

Oversee day-to-day operations offederation services (e.g. Post-Viral, frailty pathways, diabetes, UTC support, enhancedaccess), monitor KPIs such as referral volumes, waiting times, utilisation, andsavings

Bid/Tender Process and ContractManagement. Lead preparation and submission of bids/tenders for new services,manage full contract lifecycle including negotiation, SLAs with ICB/Externalpartners, performance reporting, renewals, and compliance with CQC/NHS Englandstandards

Line manage Clinical ServicesManagers/Leads/Operations/Admin/pharmacy staff. Support recruitment, training,appraisals, caseloads, and contingency planning for peaks/troughs, personaldevelopment and, where appropriate, resolve any disciplinary or capabilityissues

Drive service transitions, digitaltransformation (EMIS/CoordinateRx/EPR), MDT coordination, and qualityimprovements

Chair operational groups, maintainand monitor operational risk registers (operational/strategic risks), supportincident investigations, and present Board-level reports onperformance/risks/mitigations.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Degree or similar Qualification in Health/Management or related subject
• Advanced programme and project management skills including Prince 2 or equivalent
• Current professional registration
• Leadership qualification or extensive experience in leadership roles

Experience

• Senior operations leadership in NHS primary care/PCN/ICB
• Complex pathways and performance turnaround
• Board-level reporting transformational change in sensitive environments

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.