Healthcare jobs in Durham

Head of HEMS Operations

Salary: Competitive salary with progression potential
Location: Dual-site role based at Progress House (Teesside) and Langwathby (Cumbria), with regular travel between operational bases.
Contract: Full Time – Permanent

Lead a Service That Saves Lives Every Day

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) delivers life-saving pre-hospital critical care to some of the most rural, remote and challenging environments in the UK.

Every day, our highly skilled teams bring enhanced emergency medicine directly to critically ill and injured patients across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man — by helicopter during the day and rapid response vehicle during the hours of darkness — often in circumstances where minutes genuinely matter.

We are now seeking an exceptional operational leader to become our new Head of HEMS Operations.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK’s leading air ambulance charities as we transition into an exciting new chapter, including the introduction of a new fleet of Airbus H145 helicopters and the continued development of our pre-hospital emergency medicine service.

We are looking for an inspiring, credible and emotionally intelligent leader with significant experience leading complex operations, who can bring together highly motivated teams, coordinate multi-site and high-pressure service delivery, and help create an environment where people thrive.

Whether your background is in healthcare, emergency services, military operations, aviation, rescue services or another high-performance, complex operational environment, if you are an experienced leader who understands how to unite people around a shared purpose, we would love to hear from you.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced operational leader with a strong track record of leading complex operations and high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-pressure or operationally critical environments.

You do not necessarily need to come from a HEMS or clinical background, although exposure to healthcare, emergency services, aviation, military or other operationally critical environments would be advantageous.

Most importantly, you will demonstrate:

• A strong track record of leading complex, multi-site operations and high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Credible, emotionally intelligent people leadership with the ability to motivate, support and influence others.
• Sound judgement and decision-making in fast-paced, high-pressure or operationally critical environments.
• Experience leading operational performance, workforce planning, service improvement and organisational change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across a wide range of audiences.
• A collaborative leadership style and a strong alignment with the values and mission of GNAAS.
• As Head of HEMS Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the delivery of frontline services across multiple operational bases.

You will lead a committed and highly capable team of Critical Care Paramedics and Team Leaders, ensuring our operational, clinical and aviation services remain safe, effective, resilient and patient-focused.

Working as part of the GNAAS Senior Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping operational strategy, supporting workforce development, strengthening organisational culture, and ensuring operational excellence across all aspects of the service. Leading workforce planning for your service, you will ensure that effective welfare and people management support is provided across the operational environment.

The role also acts as a critical link between frontline operations and the wider charity, working closely with fundraising, marketing and communications teams to help tell the story of the incredible work our teams deliver every day.

You will also work closely with our aviation partner, Multiflight, helping coordinate operational activity, service delivery, aviation safety and performance through regular liaison and participation in operational and safety review processes.

Why Join GNAAS?

At GNAAS, you will become part of something extraordinary.

You will work alongside passionate and talented people who are united by a shared mission: saving lives and improving outcomes for patients when they need us most.

In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to lead within one of the UK’s most respected air ambulance charities.
• A genuinely meaningful leadership role with real impact.
• A supportive and ambitious Senior Leadership Team.
• A culture that values innovation, compassion and teamwork.
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where operationally appropriate.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.

Interested?For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact:
Joseph Garcia MBE – Chief Executive Officer
ceo@gnaas.co.uk
+44 07572 122133

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £72,904.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person