Head of Operations St Mark's Hospital

Job summary

Are you an inspiring operational leader ready for your next challenge? We are seeking an exceptional Senior Operational Leader to join the leadership team at St Mark's Hospital and help shape the future of one of the world's most respected specialist hospitals.

Managed by London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mark's is internationally renowned for specialist colorectal and intestinal care. As a national and global referral centre, it brings together pioneering research, outstanding clinical expertise and a relentless commitment to delivering the very best patient care.

This is a rare opportunity to lead within an organisation renowned for innovation and excellence. The Wolfson Unit for Endoscopy at St Mark's is one of 20 centres worldwide recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the World Endoscopy Organization, reflecting the exceptional standards that define our services.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational performance, leading transformational change and ensuring that patients continue to receive world-class care. If you are a strategic thinker, an influential leader and passionate about making a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

About us

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

"We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with general data protection regulation (GDPR)."

Job responsibilities

Applicants are strongly encouraged to refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification for comprehensive details of responsibilities, requirements and role expectations.

• Interviews will take place week commencing 9th November 2026.
• Stakeholder panel will take place week commencing 9th November 2026.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to master's level in a relevant area or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post-qualifying and continuing professional development
• Management qualification

Desirable

• Expert and relevant knowledge gained through further post qualification specialist training or experience

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience in a senior leadership role in a large NHS organisation
• Experience of developing and delivering large scale operational improvement and trust-wide efficiency programmes
• Strong background in operational management with proven track record of delivery across a range of specialities/service.
• Strong background in financial and analytical management demonstrating an understanding of current NHS structures and key policies affecting it
• Development of highly effective services
• In-depth understanding of current NHS plans and strategies and how to implement them
• Experience in delivering transformational change at a large scale.
• Evidence of translating complex concepts into key messages and writing clear reports and presentations
• Evidence of presenting complex concepts to different audience and assured messages are received
• Experience in working closely with clinical teams to develop and implement improvement opportunities
• Substantial experience of managing teams at all levels including those from a range of clinical disciplines

Skills, abilities, and attributes

Essential

• Ability to manage successful and sustainable improvement delivery during a period of change and transition
• Experience in making and advising on complex decisions involving financial and operational risk and sensitivities up to and including Board level
• Ability to influence and persuade others, creating successful and effective working relationships through strong , positive, professional interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills
• Outstanding organisational skills with an ability to prioritise, be flexible and always ensure that high quality, timely work is produced by yourself and those you manage
• Ability to offer expert opinion and judgement on a range of operational management scenarios
• Ability to provide advice and support across all disciplines clinical and non-clinical
• Ability to provide and receive, convey, and present highly complex, sensitive and /or contentious concepts to large groups, responding openly to questions to ensure full understanding and engagement, and dealing effectively with hostile or emotional responses
• Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of sources internal and external and present it so it is understood by all audience
• Demonstrate sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent
• Ability to act with minimal guidance and set goals and standards for others