CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO) | LONDON

Full description

Job DescriptionWe are a growing international independent healthcare group with an establishing an operational base in the UK private healthcare market. For our flagship London clinic, we are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide executive oversight of all nonclinical functions and to lead the organisation through its next phase of operational maturity and growth.

This appointment is critical to ensuring the clinic delivers exceptional patient experience, regulatory excellence, commercial discipline, and scalable infrastructure, consistent with leading private healthcare standards in the UK.

Executive Role Summary

Reporting to the CEO and working in close partnership with the Medical Director, the Chief Operating Officer will hold full executive responsibility for operational performance, governance, and delivery across the clinic. The COO will ensure that operational systems, people, and processes enable high quality, safe, and commercially sustainable care, while maintaining clear boundaries between clinical decision making and operational management.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Governance

• Provide strategic and day-to-day executive leadership across all nonclinical operations, including patient services, administration, facilities, procurement, IT, and support functions
• Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks aligned with CQC standards, private healthcare best practice, and group policies
• Ensure continuous inspection readiness, effective risk management, and strong quality assurance systems
Patient Experience & Service Excellence

• Drive a premium, patient centred experience consistent with independent private healthcare expectations
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on service quality, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction
• Embed a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and service excellence across all operational teams
Commercial & Financial Performance

• Own full operational Profit and Loss responsibility, including budgeting, financial planning, cost control, and margin optimisation
• Define, monitor, and report executive level KPIs relating to operational performance, quality, and financial sustainability
• Support service development and growth initiatives through robust operational and commercial planning

Leadership & Organisational Development

• Build and lead a high performing senior operational leadership team
• Set clear performance expectations, governance structures, and succession plans
• Foster a professional, compliant, and engaged workforce aligned with private healthcare values
Strategic Partnership & Growth

• Act as a strategic counterpart to the Medical Director, ensuring strong operational clinical alignment while preserving clinical independence
• Lead vendor management, contract negotiation, and procurement strategy to ensure value, compliance, and service continuity
• Support wider UK growth objectives, including expansion, service diversification, and operational scalability
Skills, Experience & Background
• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline (Master’s degree highly desirable)
• Extensive senior leadership experience within private hospitals or independent healthcare clinics, including executive or board level accountability
• Proven track record operating within the UK’s regulated private healthcare environment, with strong CQC exposure
• Strong commercial acumen, financial leadership capability, and operational depth
• Advanced English proficiency (written and spoken) – essential
• Deep understanding of private healthcare patient expectations, quality frameworks, and governance standards
• Confident, credible executive presence with excellent stakeholder, board, and regulator engagement skills
• Ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary organisations in a fast paced, growth oriented context
Remuneration & Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary (negotiable dependent on experience) for an experienced COO with proven track record.
• Performance-related bonus
• Opportunity to shape and grow a prestigious Knightsbridge brand in a transforming industry.
The Knightsbridge Clinic & Hospital London is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity, inclusion, excellence, and the highest standards of patient care and regulatory compliance.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter to: hr1@kchgroup.co.uk detailing your relevant experience and suitability for this high-profile role, particularly in UK-regulated private healthcare operations and CQC compliance. All applications will be treated in strict confidence.

Salary: GBP 72000 - 108000 per year

Experience: 5 years required