Chief Operating Officer, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Could you be our next Chief Operating Officer?

At the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA), we are at a defining moment in our journey, transforming how care is delivered across one of the largest and most complex health systems in the country. We are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join our Executive Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of services for over one million people across Greater Manchester. This is a rare opportunity to lead at scale, driving operational excellence while ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety and patient experience across our diverse, multi-site organisation.

As our senior operational leader, you will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery and long-term development of services across the Trust. You will lead efforts to strengthen urgent and emergency care pathways, improve patient flow and access, and sustain elective recovery, while ensuring resilient site operations. Alongside this, you will oversee major transformation programmes, harnessing digital innovation, data and new ways of working to improve productivity, efficiency and outcomes for patients and communities.

Working in close partnership with colleagues across the health and care system, including local authorities and integrated care partners, you will help shape more joined-up, population-focused services. You will be a visible, compassionate and influential leader, someone who can inspire teams through change, foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure that our values of care, appreciation and inspiration are felt in every interaction. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact at scale, improving lives and shaping the future of healthcare across Greater Manchester.

Who we are

NCA is one of the largest NHS providers in the country. Created on October 1, 2021, NCA was launched as the amalgamation of Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT) and The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (PAT) – which had been working together as a group since 2017.

Our dedicated team of around 20,000 staff – our NA Family – provide a range of hospital and community services to over one million people across Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford, as well providing more specialist care to patients across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Patients and service users may receive a range of integrated health and social care services at their home or in their community, or be treated and cared for at one of our four hospitals - Salford Royal Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary or Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.

Our aim is to save lives and improve lives. We do this by working with partner organisations in improving the population health of our local communities and by delivering consistently high standards of care and experience excellence each day, every day.

Please click here to read more about us
Please click here to read the Job Description & Person Specification
Our new clinical leadership model
All applications must include:
• A full curriculum vitae/resume
• Quoting the relevant role reference number: A041855
• A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and NCA 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) *
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and NCA’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:
Thomas Patterson, Managing Director or Beth Stickney, Principal Researcher, whose details can be found at the bottom of this page.
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.
Closing date: 27th April 2026
Stakeholder Sessions: 28th May 2026
Final Interviews: 1st June 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.