The Primary Care Alliance CIC is a GP-led provider organisation delivering high quality primary care services at scale across Berkshire West.
Representing 31 member practices serving a population of over 580,000 residents, the Alliance works collaboratively with general practice, Primary Care Networks, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) to design, mobilise and deliver high-quality healthcare closer to home.
Our ambition is to strengthen primary care through collaboration, innovation and operational excellence. Over the next five years the Alliance intends to significantly expand its portfolio of commissioned services, supporting the delivery of neighbourhood health, integrated care and innovative models of primary care across Berkshire West.
Our current portfolio includes the Reading Urgent Care Centre, Women's Health Hub, Lipid Optimisation Programme and Practice Resilience services, with an ambitious programme of growth including Same Day Access, proactive frailty services, neighbourhood health and future commissioned services.
As a Community Interest Company, we exist to improve health outcomes for our local population while supporting the sustainability of general practice across Berkshire West.
JOB SUMMARY
The Head of Operations is a key leadership role within our rapidly growing organisation and is responsible for developing all services delivered by the Primary Care Alliance CIC. Reporting to the Chief Delivery Officer, the postholder will lead the operational delivery of the Alliance's growing portfolio of services, ensuring they are safe, effective, financially sustainable and consistently achieve contractual, quality and regulatory standards. The Head of Operations will be responsible for providing assurance to the Chief Delivery Officer, Executive Team and Board regarding operational performance, organisational risks, workforce capacity and service resilience.
The postholder will provide leadership to Service Managers and operational teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. In addition the postholder will work closely with the Chief Delivery Officer and Executive Team to support organisational growth, transformation and future service development. The role requires flexibility to meet the needs of operational services, including occasional evening and weekend working. The postholder may be required to provide senior operational support outside normal working hours during periods of significant operational pressure, major incidents or service mobilisation.
This role offers a rare opportunity to work across primary care, urgent care, community services and system transformation whilst working alongside experienced clinical and executive leaders committed to improving outcomes for local people.
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and leading the operational delivery of all Alliance services including the Reading Urgent Care Centre, Women's Health Hub, Lipid Optimisation Programme, Practice Resilience services and future commissioned services.
- Leading the mobilisation of new services from contract award through to business as usual, ensuring workforce, estates, digital systems, governance, policies and operational readiness are in place before go-live and within agreed budgets.
- Delivering contractual KPIs, quality standards, productivity targets and financial performance across all services.
- Providing visible leadership to operational teams, ensuring staff are supported, developed and empowered to deliver high-quality care.
- Working collaboratively with Clinical Leads, Service Managers, commissioners, member practices and system partners to continuously improve patient pathways and operational performance.
- Leading organisational readiness for CQC inspections and ensuring regulatory compliance across all regulated activities.
- Supporting organisational growth by contributing to business cases, service redesign and mobilisation of future commissioned services.
- Ensuring operational teams understand both individual and collective responsibilities and that behaviours reflect the values of the Primary Care Alliance CIC.
- Promoting compassionate, inclusive and visible leadership across the organisation.
- Supporting equality, diversity and inclusion as both an employer and provider of healthcare services.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
- Degree in Healthcare, Business, Management or other relevant discipline, or equivalent experience
- Significant senior operational leadership experience within the NHS or healthcare sector
- Experience managing multiple operational services and multidisciplinary teams
- Experience delivering operational performance against contractual KPIs and quality standards
- Experience leading CQC-regulated services and preparing for inspections
- Experience managing operational budgets, productivity and workforce planning - strong financial acumen
- Ability to influence and build relationships across organisations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Visible and compassionate leader with high levels of EQ
- Resilient and able to perform under pressure
Desirable:
- Experience within General Practice, Primary Care Networks or Provider Collaboratives
- Post-graduate, Leadership or Management qualification (e.g. CMI, ILM, NHS Leadership Academy) or equivalent experience
- Knowledge of digital healthcare systems including EMIS, GP Connect and operational reporting
A full detailed job description will be provided to all shortlisted candidates prior to interview.
WHY JOIN US
This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing GP-led provider organisation at a pivotal point in its development.
The successful candidate will help shape the operational future of the Primary Care Alliance CIC, leading existing services whilst mobilising new programmes that will transform how care is delivered across Berkshire West.
This role offers a rare opportunity to work across primary care, urgent care, community services and system transformation whilst working alongside experienced clinical and executive leaders committed to improving outcomes for local people.
Pay: £70,000.00-£75,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lower Earley RG6 5HZ
