Become our Chief Operating Officer

We’re looking for a Chief Operating Officer who is talented leader with a track record of providing visible, credible and effective leadership at or close to Board level.

Welcome

Dear Candidate,

I am delighted that you are considering joining us as our Chief Operating Officer. This is a pivotal leadership role and we are looking for someone who is as passionate as we are about improving care and services; someone who strives to achieve the very best outcomes for people with severe enduring mental illness and learning disabilities.

We have some strong foundations on which to build – CQC ‘Outstanding’; a hugely motivated workforce; progressive and nationally recognised models of care to name but a few.   Yet like the rest of the NHS, as Lord Darzi’s review points to, we are facing a pressurised operating environment with high demand and backlogs in care; significant financial constraints together with challenging estate and workforce demands.

Already operating at Board, or close to Board, you will be well accustomed to operating in such an environment and you will take this in your stride.   You will be excited by the ambitions set out in our Trust strategy ‘Great Together’ and you will be attracted by the opportunity to drive forward innovative practice and transform services.

You will not only be able to demonstrate your ability to deliver strong operational performance, but your focus on improving service user experience, and eradicating inequalities, will be second to none. Compassionate and inclusive, your strategic thinking and ability to influence and work in partnership with others will engender confidence and support the delivery of integrated, joined up care.

In return, you will be joining an experienced Executive Team and Trust Board, with an established programme of development. You will be able to lead improvement across our four Operational Divisions, as well as influencing the development of services across the East of England with partners in the Provider Collaborative. You will be supported to stretch and develop yourself, so that you can be the best you can be for service users, staff and the communities we serve.

Joining a new organisation, leadership team and Board is a big decision and over the next few weeks we will get to know each other and determine if this is the right move for you and us.  Importantly, our values define us as an organisation, and I believe as leaders. They are what service users tell us they see when they receive great care, it is what our partners tell us they experience when they work with us, and it is what our people say makes HPFT a great place to work.  If you share our values, our determination and our ambitions then it will be great to hear from you – in the first instance please contact Mel Shearer at Gatenby Sanderson on 07785 616548.

I look forward to meeting you,

With best wishes

Karen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer