Chief Operating Officer

Job Overview

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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed Job Description And Main 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.

You Will

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• 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 criteria

• Masters level qualification or significant specialist relevant experience in field
• Bachelor’s degree level qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Project Management qualification i.e. Agile or Prince2
• Management/ Leadership qualification

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• 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

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