Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chief Operating Officer

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides acute and specialist hospital services to Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

Employing over 4,500 people and with an annual turnover of almost £450m, we are a progressive organisation with ambitious goals in the digital agenda and through our New Hospital Programme. The Trust has over 550 beds and we see and treat approximately 400,000 patients each year, comprising of both outpatient and emergency attendances.

We are looking to recruit an inspirational Chief Operating Officer to join our dynamic executive team. You will be responsible for the management and performance of the Trust’s clinical services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and cost-effective care.

Chief Operating Officer
Competitive VSM Salary
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a modern, ambitious and fast-growing organisation serving Milton Keynes and the wider region. With over 4,500 colleagues, an annual turnover approaching £450m and more than 400,000 patient contacts each year, we combine the scale and complexity of a major acute provider with an agile and progressive culture. As one of the country’s leading digital hospitals and a committed partner in the New Hospital Programme, we are determined to deliver outstanding care, continuous improvement and a first-class experience for patients and staff.
We are now seeking an inspirational Chief Operating Officer to join our executive team at a pivotal moment. This role carries executive accountability for the performance, delivery and operational leadership of all clinical services, ensuring that high quality, safe and cost-effective care is consistently achieved. You will play a central part in addressing the challenges familiar across the NHS, reducing waiting times, improving flow and tackling urgent care pressures, while ensuring that quality, safety and financial sustainability remain front and centre.
As a key member of the Board, you will shape strategy, drive major transformation programmes and lead the operational changes required to meet future demand. You will also work closely with partners across the wider health and care system to redesign pathways, strengthen community integration and deliver more seamless care for our population.
We welcome interest from experienced operational executives in acute healthcare and from ambitious operational leaders in larger Trusts who bring the values, potential and capability to progress to their first appointment at Board level.
You will have a strong track record of delivering sustained performance, energising teams, improving culture and leading complex change at pace. Most importantly, you will bring a values-led leadership style that inspires confidence, encourages innovation and strengthens our collective focus on excellent patient care.
We are committed to creating an open, fair and inclusive organisation where every colleague feels respected, valued and able to thrive. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and life experiences, including those from communities currently underrepresented in senior leadership roles. We welcome candidates from all ethnic backgrounds, all faiths and beliefs, people with disabilities, candidates who identify as LGBTQ plus, and individuals from a wide range of socio economic and professional backgrounds.
For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Frank McKenna, Managing Director, Alumni Global.
Please click here to view the Role Description & Person Specification
All applications must include:
- A full curriculum vitae/resume
- Quoting the relevant role reference number:
  Chief Operating Officer - A041458
- A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and MKUH that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
- Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
- A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Right to work checks
If you are successfully shortlisted, our partner, Yoti, will contact you to complete an online right to work check. This is a quick and secure process, ensuring that all necessary legal requirements are met before proceeding further in the recruitment process.
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and MKUH’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Frank McKenna, Global Managing Director on +44 7721 613 260.
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Key Milestones:
Closing date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Stakeholders: TBC
Final Interviews: Monday, 16 February 2026
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.