Chief Operating Officer

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Chatham, Kent

  • Location Chatham, Kent
  • Sector Health
  • Client Medway NHS Foundation Trust
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration Competitive
  • Reference GSe131512
  • Closing Date 9am Friday 19th June 2026

Medway NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join our Board. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for leading and driving the Trust’s operational performance and service delivery during a critical period of improvement and change.

We are an organisation with ambition. We are delivering our Integrated Improvement Plan at pace, strengthening quality, performance, governance and culture, and responding to significant operational challenge, including our participation in the National Provider Improvement Programme.

As Chief Operating Officer, you will be at the heart of delivering the Trust’s vision and strategic ambition, providing visible, values‑driven leadership across all aspects of day‑to‑day operations, bringing pace, clarity and compassion to everything you do. You will also oversee the organisational performance assurance and reporting framework, and act as the lead executive for the delivery of all performance standards, working in partnership with Executive colleagues and our system partners.

We are looking for an accomplished operational leader with a proven track record at or close to board level. Experienced in leading complex change and delivering sustained performance improvement, you will be a natural collaborator and strategic thinker, with the ability to quickly develop credibility, clarity, and confidence both internally and externally. Most importantly, you will share our BEST values, and help shape a culture focused on delivering safe, high‑quality, patient‑centred care.

If you are energised by challenge and committed to improving outcomes for patients and communities, we would love to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation or to express interest, please contact our executive search partners at GatenbySanderson.

 

Stephanie Crossland, Research Associate

E: stephanie.crossland@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 113 268 0704

 

Julia St Clare, Senior Consultant and Research Lead

E: julia.stclare@gatenbysanderson.com  

T: +44 (0) 7807 631 564

 

Melanie Shearer, Partner

E: melanie.shearer@gatenbysanderson.com

T: +44 (0) 7785 616 548

 

Closing date: 9am Friday 19th June 2026 

Final Panel: w/c 6th July 2026  

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Documents

  1. Fit and Proper Person Declaration - New.docx

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