Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Operations
Grade
VSM
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
437-8333087
Employer
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Prestwich Hospital
Town
Preswtich
Closing
13/10/2026 23:59
Interview date
19/10/2026

Employer heading

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust logo

Deputy Chief Executive / Chief Operating Officer

VSM

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of mental health services. At Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, we are on a journey of improvement and transformation. We are determined to deliver outstanding care, reduce inequalities, improve outcomes and create a culture where every colleague feels valued, supported and able to thrive.

We are seeking an exceptional Deputy Chief Executive / Chief Operating Officer to join our Board and Executive Leadership Team. This is a rare opportunity for an outstanding leader to influence the future of GMMH and help shape the services we provide to our communities.

Interview Date: Monday 19 October 2026

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, you will provide collective leadership for a complex and high-profile organisation. You will lead the operational delivery of services across the Trust, ensuring excellence in quality, safety, performance and financial sustainability, while helping to drive large-scale transformation and innovation. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Chair, Board colleagues and partners across Greater Manchester, you will be a visible and influential leader, capable of operating confidently at organisational, system and national level.

We are seeking an accomplished, values-driven executive leader who combines strategic vision with operational credibility. You will bring a strong clinical background as a registered mental health professional, together with board-level leadership experience and a proven track record of delivering sustained improvement within complex NHS organisations.

You will understand the realities of delivering high-quality care, supporting clinical teams and leading services through change, while maintaining a relentless focus on patient safety, experience and outcomes.

Most importantly, you will be a leader who shares our values and work do deliver our vision of ‘great places for care and great places to work’

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached job description and person specification for detailed information.............................................................................................................................

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Professional registration in a relevant mental health profession.
  • Master's degree or equivalent experience.
  • Leadership qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Credible Board-level experience within a complex NHS provider organisation
  • Substantial senior operational leadership experience.
  • Strong track record of delivering sustained operational performance improvement.
  • Experience of leading major organisational transformation and change.
  • Experience of strategic planning and successful strategy implementation.
  • Experience of system leadership and partnership working at ICS or equivalent level.
  • Strong track record of building productive relationships with regulators and stakeholders.
  • Experience of delivering quality, workforce and financial improvements simultaneously.
  • Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams through complexity and change.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Deep understanding of NHS policy and the mental health landscape.
  • Strong understanding of governance, assurance and risk management.
  • Ability to translate strategy into delivery.
  • Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
  • Strong political awareness and system leadership capability.
  • Understanding of quality improvement methodologies and their application.
  • Strong digital and transformation leadership capability.
  • Ability to lead through ambiguity and complexity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardWe are a Living Wage EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyHSJ Best places to workDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeWe offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerGM Good Employment Charter

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Chris Oliver
Job title
Chief Executive Officer
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0161 938 4677
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies