About this role
Job summary
Health Innovation Wessex (HIW) is pleased to offer a rare opportunity to join one of England's leading health innovation organisations as Chief Operating Officer at a pivotal moment for the NHS, life sciences sector and the wider health and care system.
This is a 23-month fixed-term vacancy.
Main duties of the job
About you
We are seeking an ambitious, strategic and inspirational leader with a track record of delivering organisational success in complex and dynamic environments.
You will be a credible executive-level leader who combines strong operational expertise with a passion for innovation, transformation and partnership working.
You will bring:
Significant Board or senior executive-level leadership experience within health, life sciences, research, innovation, public sector or similarly complex environments.
A strong understanding of the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the NHS, including productivity, prevention, digital transformation, AI adoption and population health.
Experience of leading large-scale programmes, organisational transformation and performance improvement.
Outstanding partnership-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational and sector boundaries.
Experience of developing and leading high-performing, inclusive and values-driven teams.
Commercial awareness and experience supporting business growth, strategic partnerships and organisational sustainability's
Exceptional communication, analytical and decision-making capabilities.
A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for patients, populations and communities.
Experience within innovation, life sciences, research translation, healthcare transformation or economic development would be particularly advantageous.
About us
At Health Innovation Wessex, you will have the opportunity to influence some of the most important challenges facing health and care today while helping shape the future of innovation across the NHS.
You will join a highly regarded organisation with a national reputation for collaboration, delivery and impact.
Health Innovation Wessex is a company limited by guarantee, owned by the NHS and University Members with staff hosted by University Hospital Southampton.
What We Offer:
A unique opportunity to work at the forefront of health innovation and healthcare transformation.
A senior leadership role with significant strategic influence and national visibility.
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements - provides for a minimum of 2 days in office or out visiting partners/stakeholders and home working aligned to business needs.
Commitment to professional development, leadership growth and continuous learning.
A collaborative, ambitious and supportive culture.
An organisation committed to inclusion, diversity and wellbeing. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.
Modern office facilities at Southampton Science Park in Chilworth, one of the UK's leading centres for science, technology and innovation.
Job description Job responsibilities
Shape the Future of Health Innovation in Wessex and Beyond
Health Innovation Wessex exists to accelerate the adoption and spread of innovation that improves lives, transforms health and care services, reduces inequalities, strengthens economic growth and positions our region as a leader in health innovation. As part of the national Health Innovation Network, we sit at the intersection of the NHS, academia, industry, local government and policy makers, helping to turn evidence into impact at scale.
The NHS is entering a period of profound transformation, driven by the need to improve productivity, shift care closer to communities, harness the power of prevention, embrace AI and digital technologies, and support economic growth through innovation. At the same time, the UK's Life Sciences Vision places innovation at the heart of national prosperity and health improvement.
We are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer who is excited by this opportunity and ready to help shape the future.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer is a Board-level executive role with responsibility for translating strategic ambition into measurable impact.
This is much more than a traditional operational leadership role. We are looking for a leader who can help position Health Innovation Wessex at the forefront of healthcare transformation, innovation adoption and life sciences growth.
The COO will help drive organisational performance, operational excellence and sustainable growth, while ensuring Health Innovation Wessex remains agile, influential and equipped to deliver against an increasingly ambitious national and local agenda.
Working closely with the CEO, Board and partners across the NHS, academia, industry and government, the successful candidate will help shape how innovation is adopted and scaled across Wessex and contribute to national programmes that improve care for millions of people.
The post holder will deputise for the CEO when required and provide strategic leadership across programme delivery, business development, corporate services and organisational transformation.
Why This Role Matters
Health Innovation Wessex is uniquely positioned to:
Accelerate the adoption of proven innovations that improve patient outcomes and health system productivity.
Support the NHS's shift towards prevention, population health management and community-based care.
Enable the responsible adoption of AI, digital and data-driven innovation.
Strengthen the region's role as a leading health and life sciences ecosystem.
Attract investment, partnerships and opportunities that support economic growth.
Help address some of the most pressing challenges facing the NHS, including workforce pressures, financial sustainability and health inequalities.
As Chief Operating Officer, you will play a central role in delivering these ambitions.
What You'll Be Responsible For
You will:
Lead the delivery of Health Innovation Wessex's strategy, ensuring programmes, partnerships and services achieve demonstrable impact for patients, populations and the health and care system.
Drive organisational excellence, ensuring the organisation has the systems, processes, capabilities and culture required to perform at the highest level.
Champion innovation in how we work, including the adoption of AI, digital technologies and data-driven decision making to improve productivity, insight and organisational effectiveness.
Oversee corporate services including finance, governance, people, communications, information governance and business support functions.
Build and maintain influential partnerships across the NHS, Integrated Care Boards, universities, local government, industry, life sciences organisations and national bodies.
Support business growth by identifying new opportunities, securing investment and developing sustainable income streams aligned to organisational priorities.
Lead organisational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen capability and maximise impact.
Provide assurance to the CEO and Board regarding performance, governance, risk management, compliance and organisational resilience.
Help shape the future direction of health innovation within Wessex and contribute to the development of the wider national Health Innovation Network.
Join Us
This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary leader who wants to make a lasting difference to health outcomes, healthcare transformation and economic growth.
If you are passionate about innovation, inspired by the future of the NHS and excited by the opportunity to shape the next chapter of Health Innovation Wessex, we would love to hear from you.
Together, we can accelerate innovation, improve lives and create a healthier future for Wessex and beyond.
Person Specification
Qualifications / training required Essential
Masters level qualification or significant specialist relevant experience in field Bachelor's degree level qualification Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
Project Management qualification i.e. Agile or Prince2 Management/ Leadership qualification
Previous or relevant experience necessary Essential
Deep and extensive knowledge of innovation landscapes to support best in class ambitions Detailed and sound knowledge of corporate governance and Board assurance Knowledge of NHS, higher education and industry sector structures and cultures Deep knowledge of programme and project management methodologies and best practice, and their application within health and care innovation landscape Demonstrable experience and understanding of working within a complex and changing landscape, across organisational boundaries Experience working at Board/senior management level in a complex environment; bringing about significant change in line with agreed strategic and operational objectives and influencing direction Proven track record of successfully anticipating trends and changes that increase innovation and creativity and applying knowledge for organisational benefit Experience and understanding of resolving challenging issues, translating highly complex information to effectively communicate at all levels Experience of large scale operational management, including the interpretation of complex strategic plans and targets into operational structures and processes Experience of effective people management
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address Southampton Science Park Chilworth
2 Venture Rd, Chilworth
Southampton
SO16 7NP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)