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Area Head of Operations
East of England Ambulance Service View all jobs
Posted 2 day(s) ago
Reference: 247-A&E-AHO-1026
Job summary
There are two posts to be recruited into. One post holder will be responsible for Central East, and the other will be responsible for Norfolk, Waveney & Suffolk.
The post holder is accountable for the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective emergency services and must ensure the delivery of all financial, operational and performance activity within their area. The post holder will also be the accountable lead for delegated strategic portfolios.
The post holder will provide inclusive, compassionate and resilient leadership to all staff within their area, maximising the effective use of resources to deliver a complex strategic and operational agenda that incorporates achievement of targets.
In doing so they will ensure that budgets break even alongside the delivery of efficiencies, improvements and transformation in workplace culture. The post holder will drive area level change to realise sustainable improvements and deliver the Trust's strategic planning objectives.
Aligned with the ICB, the post holder will play an integral role in developing constructive relationships with critical stakeholders.
Main duties of the job
This post is a senior leadership role within the Trust. The post holder will be the responsible divisional lead for the day-to-day clinical and operational delivery of emergency response services.
The post holder is accountable for the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective urgent and emergency care services and ensuring the delivery of all financial, operational and performance targets within their agreed area or locality. The post holder will also be the accountable lead for other delegated strategic portfolios within the Trust.
The post holder will be the critical Trust representative in the Integrated Care System (ICS), establishing EEAST as a provider and partner of choice at ICS level at provider collaborative, individual provider level and at place. They will be expected to engage at a strategic level across the full operational portfolio. Working within the overall Trust Strategy and the direction of the Board to lead, positively influence, negotiate, progress the interests of the Trust and to innovatively collaborate where appropriate. Working with all directorate teams, they will ensure a robust framework of engagement from their senior team that is consistent with the Trust strategic framework.
As a senior leader, you will be required to promote and role model inclusive compassionate leadership aligned to the EEAST's values.
About us
You'll have the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse regions in the country, with the vibrant capital city just a stone's throw away and the invigorating North Sea coast to the east.
The East of England offers a unique blend of innovation and opportunity, surrounded by picturesque countryside, historic towns, and quick access to both the bustling capital and serene coastlines.
At EEAST we bring together all our skills to provide 24 hour, 365 days a year urgent care to those in need of emergency and non-emergency medical treatment and transport in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
We are always looking to innovate our approaches and work together to offer the best possible patient care across our counties.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as Black, Asian, or other ethnic groups, individuals with a Disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.
We at EEAST want to support our employees achieve a balance between work and other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, family commitments, further learning, and other interests. We therefore welcome flexible working requests.
Details
Date posted
01 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8d
Salary
£94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
247-A&E-AHO-1026
Job locations
1. Central East or 2. Norfolk, Waveney & Suffolk
Melbourn
SG8 6DE
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the role, including all its specific requirements and responsibilities, please consult the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides an in-depth overview that will give you a clear and detailed picture of what the position entails.
Please note, should you be successful in your application, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, prior to receiving an unconditional offer, if full employment checks cannot be achieved (this will include existing and unserved disciplinary sanctions), then your offer may be withdrawn.
How to applyStep 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (attached)Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement - Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification.Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the role, including all its specific requirements and responsibilities, please consult the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides an in-depth overview that will give you a clear and detailed picture of what the position entails.
Please note, should you be successful in your application, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, prior to receiving an unconditional offer, if full employment checks cannot be achieved (this will include existing and unserved disciplinary sanctions), then your offer may be withdrawn.
How to applyStep 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (attached)Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement - Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification.Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to master's level in a relevant subject area (or equivalent), plus further experience of working at a senior level in a specialist area.
- ECU occupational standards Strategic and Tactical Commander accreditation or willing to complete upon commencement in post. o be maintained at the required recertification periods.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development over a wide period of time.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in a senior leadership role. Specifically within the NHS or Health and Care system.
- Experience of leading, developing and motivating multi-faceted professional teams with compassion, inclusion and resilience.
- Experience of successful interpreting key strategies and policies and delivering against complex key performance indicators and improving operational efficiency of services.
- Experience of raising clinical standards/practice in supporting the professional agenda and organisation objectives.
- Experience of leading large-scale transformation and/or organisational change.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge across a number of disciplines within the NHS sector, including performance management, workforce and financial management.
- Thorough understanding social, political, financial and business issues facing the NHS, and specifically UK ambulance services.
Personal Qualities, Abilities & Attributes
Essential
- Ability to communicate strategy and demonstrate an organised, clear and confident approach to a range of stakeholders and audiences.
- Results driven / outcome focused approach.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to master's level in a relevant subject area (or equivalent), plus further experience of working at a senior level in a specialist area.
- ECU occupational standards Strategic and Tactical Commander accreditation or willing to complete upon commencement in post. o be maintained at the required recertification periods.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development over a wide period of time.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in a senior leadership role. Specifically within the NHS or Health and Care system.
- Experience of leading, developing and motivating multi-faceted professional teams with compassion, inclusion and resilience.
- Experience of successful interpreting key strategies and policies and delivering against complex key performance indicators and improving operational efficiency of services.
- Experience of raising clinical standards/practice in supporting the professional agenda and organisation objectives.
- Experience of leading large-scale transformation and/or organisational change.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge across a number of disciplines within the NHS sector, including performance management, workforce and financial management.
- Thorough understanding social, political, financial and business issues facing the NHS, and specifically UK ambulance services.
Personal Qualities, Abilities & Attributes
Essential
- Ability to communicate strategy and demonstrate an organised, clear and confident approach to a range of stakeholders and audiences.
- Results driven / outcome focused approach.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
East of England Ambulance Service
Address
1. Central East or 2. Norfolk, Waveney & Suffolk
Melbourn
SG8 6DE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
East of England Ambulance Service
Address
1. Central East or 2. Norfolk, Waveney & Suffolk
Melbourn
SG8 6DE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)