The role of chief operating officer involves working in a newly formed board, delivering agreed operational objectives with a great but small team, and being at the heart of the organisation, says Independent Health Group’s chief executive officer, Claire Damen
As an inspirational, compassionate and effective nurse leader, Claire Damen has a track record of demonstrable delivery, most recently as chief executive leading Independent Health Group to an “outstanding” Care Quality Commission rating, outstanding staff survey results as well as organisational growth.
Fundamentally, she endeavours to ensure staff are looked after so staff can effectively look after patients.
Ms Damen takes a coaching approach to line management, ensuring staff are clear about the strategy and business plan and what this means for them in order that they can deliver.
Having worked in both the public and private sector, Ms Damen is proud to deliver fantastic patient care and is keen to expand this for the benefit of more patients.
Why this job?
If you want to be part of an outstanding organisation and shape the direction of a new role as an organisation delivers an ambitious growth agenda and if you want to work as part of a newly formed board, delivering agreed operational objectives with a great but small team, then this could be the role for you.
We have grown substantially in the last 5 years, and the need for organisations like Independent Health to support the NHS has never been greater. As chief operating officer, you will work closely with the chief executive and lead the team that plan and deliver all our services – so you will be at the heart of the organisation. At the same time you will play an important role as a member of the senior team and board, contributing to shaping the strategy and business plan to deliver it. So, the role combines operational delivery with broader oversight of the business. As such, it is a great stepping stone for an aspiring chief executive.
Why this organisation?
- Independent Health Group really is a values-based organisation
- Patients come first
- Excellence through continuous improvement
- Teamwork underpins all we do
As a result, we really make a difference to patients by delivering excellent out-of-hospital surgery in the community, closer to people’s home. Working for a small/medium-sized enterprise is quite different to being part of a large acute trust. We adhere to the same high standards of clinical care and governance, but are able to be more fleet of foot. It also requires us to be more versatile.
Everything we do is about people – those we care for, and those who work for us. It is an overused phrase, but we are truly a values-based organisation – and this is reflected in both our CQC rating of “outstanding” and the results from the NHS staff survey: All our staff believe that patients are our top priority, feel the care we offer is good enough for their friends and family and would recommend us as a place to work.
How will the role advance your career?
The experience of working for an independent provider adds a new dimension to a career in healthcare, seeing different ways that care can be delivered, whilst ensuring services are effective and efficient – offering good value to commissioning bodies and excellent care to patients. In a small business, one is closer to the frontline and by necessity all leaders wear many hats so have greater exposure to different business disciplines.
Combining senior leadership and operational management responsibilities, it brings board-level experience and, for the right person, a route to a senior clinical leader post in an acute trust or a chief executive role.
For more information on this role, please visit here.
