Director of Operations

As Director of Operations for the NIHR London Applied Research Collaboration (ARC), you will play a critical role in ensuring that a £22m pan-London research programme delivers meaningful impact across health, care and public policy. Working across more than 20 partner organisations, you will translate strategic ambition into delivery--ensuring that research is effectively coordinated, governed and mobilised to improve outcomes for London's population.

The role sits at the centre of a complex, multi-partner system bringing together NHS organisations, universities, local authorities and national bodies. You will shape the ARC's operating model, ensuring that programmes are delivered on time and in line with national expectations; aligning diverse stakeholders, managing performance, and ensuring the ARC supports innovation, collaboration and measurable impact.

Working closely with the Executive team, you will have significant autonomy to influence priorities, resource allocation and delivery approaches. You will connect across research themes, operational functions and partners--ensuring cohesion, pace and focus across a wide and evolving portfolio.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to how research is implemented in practice and influence how health and care challenges are addressed at scale. The role offers both strategic influence and operational accountability, with the potential to shape future models of applied research collaboration nationally and beyond., The Director of Operations leads the operational delivery of the NIHR London ARC, ensuring strategy is translated into coordinated, high-impact programmes across a complex partnership.

A central focus is the development and implementation of the ARC's operating model, ensuring alignment with NIHR priorities and partner strategies. You will lead delivery planning, assess organisational risks and opportunities, and position the ARC for long-term sustainability and growth.

You will oversee programme delivery and performance across research themes and functions, ensuring milestones, outputs and impact measures are achieved. This includes establishing effective performance frameworks, driving accountability and managing delivery risks, while fostering a culture of transparency, continuous improvement and collaboration.

Working closely with senior leaders in the NHS, academia, local government and national bodies, you will build strategic partnerships, represent the ARC in regional and national forums, and support cross-sector alignment.

You will also lead governance, assurance and risk management, ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. With delegated responsibility for financial planning and resource allocation, you will ensure value for money, sustainability and effective stewardship of resources. In addition, you will lead operational teams and support workforce development across a distributed partnership.

The ARC is hosted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust that provides specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres.

We are one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. Our organisational values--Caring, Ambitious and Inclusive--underpin everything we do, shaping how we work with patients, partners and each other.

The NIHR London ARC is a flagship pan-London initiative, bringing together universities, NHS organisations, local authorities and partners from across the voluntary and industry sectors. With over 20 formal partner organisations and a reach across London, the ARC represents a unique platform for delivering system-wide change at scale.

The ARC structure offers opportunities to influence beyond traditional organisational boundaries, with an environment that encourages professional growth, system leadership and the ability to shape large-scale change. This role provides a unique opportunity to develop experience at the intersection of operations, strategy and research, contributing to a programme with regional, national and international significance.