Deputy Operations Director (QMHA)
| Posting date: | 13 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £65,823 to £75,631 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Inclusive of London Weighting |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 March 2026 |
| Location: | Potters Bar, Hertfordshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | The Royal Veterinary College |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | CSS-0061-26 |
Summary
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is seeking an experienced and strategic Deputy Operations Director to help lead operations at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) — the UK’s largest veterinary teaching hospital.
QMHA delivers exceptional patient care to animals while supporting the RVC’s mission in education, clinical excellence, and research, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine.
Working closely with the Operations Director and Clinical Director, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring the hospital delivers outstanding clinical services, operational efficiency, and an exceptional client experience.
This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for implementing the hospital’s commercial clinical strategy, operational planning, service improvement, and performance management.
We are looking for a strategic, resilient and collaborative operational leader with experience managing complex service environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership for the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA), supporting delivery of outstanding clinical services aligned with the Royal Veterinary College’s strategic objectives.
- Lead the day-to-day operational management of the hospital, ensuring efficient use of staff, facilities and resources.
- Develop and implement the annual operational and business plan, supporting commercial clinical activities and service development.
- Monitor hospital performance against financial, operational and caseload targets, ensuring effective financial control, cost management and resource planning.
- Champion a patient-centred and customer-focused culture, ensuring high standards of care, client satisfaction and service delivery.
- Lead and support operational and client services teams, setting objectives and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Ensure robust clinical governance, audit and service evaluation processes are embedded across the hospital.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, accreditation, health and safety, and institutional policies.
- Work closely with clinical leaders and senior colleagues to support service development, operational improvements and strategic initiatives.
- Build effective relationships with internal departments, referring veterinary practices and external partners to support the hospital’s operations and reputation.
The successful candidate should bring:
- Significant experience in operations management within healthcare, veterinary, or clinical environments
- Strong financial and business planning experience
- Proven ability to lead large multi-disciplinary teams
- Experience delivering service improvement and operational efficiency
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, particularly under pressure
- Commitment to high standards of patient care and client service
We offer a generous reward and benefits package including:
- A welcoming and friendly team
- Competitive and attractive pension package
- Generous 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays + concessionary days)
- Opportunities for regular development and in-house training
- Access to free in-house CPD
- On site café and restaurant
- Free membership to the Fitness and Wellbeing Centre located on site (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga and Pilates classes included)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free mini-bus service to and from Potters Bar station and Hawkshead Campus
- A range of family friendly policies, including adoption, maternity and paternity pay and leave
- Competitive and attractive pension package
- Free use of our on-site Sports and Wellbeing Centre (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga, and Pilates classes included).
- Various company benefits such as the Cycle to Work scheme, TOTUM card and Apple Products discounts
This is a full time position working 35 hours per week on a fixed term basis for 12 months. Potential applicants wishing to discuss this position informally are encouraged to contact Lisa Lines, Operations Director at llines@rvc.ac.uk or via telephone at 01707669684
QMHA delivers exceptional patient care to animals while supporting the RVC’s mission in education, clinical excellence, and research, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine.
Working closely with the Operations Director and Clinical Director, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring the hospital delivers outstanding clinical services, operational efficiency, and an exceptional client experience.
This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for implementing the hospital’s commercial clinical strategy, operational planning, service improvement, and performance management.
We are looking for a strategic, resilient and collaborative operational leader with experience managing complex service environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership for the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA), supporting delivery of outstanding clinical services aligned with the Royal Veterinary College’s strategic objectives.
- Lead the day-to-day operational management of the hospital, ensuring efficient use of staff, facilities and resources.
- Develop and implement the annual operational and business plan, supporting commercial clinical activities and service development.
- Monitor hospital performance against financial, operational and caseload targets, ensuring effective financial control, cost management and resource planning.
- Champion a patient-centred and customer-focused culture, ensuring high standards of care, client satisfaction and service delivery.
- Lead and support operational and client services teams, setting objectives and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Ensure robust clinical governance, audit and service evaluation processes are embedded across the hospital.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, accreditation, health and safety, and institutional policies.
- Work closely with clinical leaders and senior colleagues to support service development, operational improvements and strategic initiatives.
- Build effective relationships with internal departments, referring veterinary practices and external partners to support the hospital’s operations and reputation.
The successful candidate should bring:
- Significant experience in operations management within healthcare, veterinary, or clinical environments
- Strong financial and business planning experience
- Proven ability to lead large multi-disciplinary teams
- Experience delivering service improvement and operational efficiency
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, particularly under pressure
- Commitment to high standards of patient care and client service
We offer a generous reward and benefits package including:
- A welcoming and friendly team
- Competitive and attractive pension package
- Generous 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays + concessionary days)
- Opportunities for regular development and in-house training
- Access to free in-house CPD
- On site café and restaurant
- Free membership to the Fitness and Wellbeing Centre located on site (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga and Pilates classes included)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free mini-bus service to and from Potters Bar station and Hawkshead Campus
- A range of family friendly policies, including adoption, maternity and paternity pay and leave
- Competitive and attractive pension package
- Free use of our on-site Sports and Wellbeing Centre (gym, badminton, climbing wall, Zumba, yoga, and Pilates classes included).
- Various company benefits such as the Cycle to Work scheme, TOTUM card and Apple Products discounts
This is a full time position working 35 hours per week on a fixed term basis for 12 months. Potential applicants wishing to discuss this position informally are encouraged to contact Lisa Lines, Operations Director at llines@rvc.ac.uk or via telephone at 01707669684
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