HEMS Group Operations Manager
Salary £ 70,100
Eaglescliffe (Teesside) and Langwathby (Cumbria)
Vacancy listed 29/01/2026
Application deadline 22/02/2026
Details
About GNAAS 
The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is a charity-funded Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and an independent CQC-registered healthcare provider. Working in partnership with NHS 999 ambulance services and the Northern Trauma Network, we deliver lifesaving pre-hospital critical care across the Northeast and Northwest of England, North Yorkshire, North Lancashire, the Isle of Man and beyond.  
 
Our values underpin everything we do: We are Caring, we are Courageous. and we are Committed. 


The Role 
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join GNAAS in a senior, high-profile leadership role, equivalent to an NHS General Manager position. As HEMS Group Operations Manager, you will have strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of GNAAS’s operational, clinical and aviation activities across multiple sites.  
 
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Charity Board of Trustees, Medical Directors and Senior Leadership Team, you will provide visible, inspirational leadership to a highly skilled HEMS workforce operating at the very top of pre-hospital critical care.  
You will be based across GNAAS’s two aircraft operations sites (Teesside and Langwathby), with oversight of road-based Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) and a shared night base. This is a site-based leadership role and cannot be undertaken remotely; relocation to the operational area will be required.  


Key Responsibilities 
  • Provide senior leadership and accountability for GNAAS HEMS and RRV operational delivery across all sites  
  • Line manage HEMS Clinical Team Leaders and provide indirect leadership and support to HEMS Critical Care Paramedics  
  • Act as the primary interface between GNAAS Operations and the Charity team, and as a core member of the Senior Leadership Team  
  • Co-chair the Operations Leadership Team alongside the Medical Director  
  • Oversee operational performance, clinical KPIs, patient safety, governance and risk management  
  • Lead recruitment, workforce planning, education, training and professional development  
  • Maintain strong partnerships with NHS ambulance services, trauma networks and external stakeholders  
  • Hold responsibility for operational budgets, assets, business continuity and information governance  
  • Provide expert operational and clinical leadership at major incidents, including on-call responsibilities  
 
To maintain strong clinical credibility and engagement, up to 20% of the role will involve operational duties, flying or responding on an RRV, subject to competency and scope of practice.  
 
About You  
You will be an experienced, credible and charismatic leader with a strong background in HEMS or pre-hospital critical care, able to inspire confidence at board level while remaining grounded and visible to frontline teams.  
 
Essential requirements include: 
  • HCPC-registered Paramedic with a minimum of 5 years post-registration experience  
  • Educated to degree level with postgraduate study (Diploma/Masters level or working towards)  
  • Significant leadership and management experience, including budgetary responsibility  
  • Proven ability to lead teams in high-pressure, complex and dynamic environments  
  • Strong clinical decision-making skills and commitment to patient safety and quality improvement  
  • UK driving licence (C1/D1) with blue light emergency driving qualification  
  • Willingness to undertake additional specialist training as required  
Desirable: 
  • Experience as a HEMS Critical Care Paramedic  
  • HEMS CCP qualification (or willingness to undertake training within 3 months)  


Why Join GNAAS? 
  • A unique opportunity to shape and lead one of the UK’s most respected air ambulance charities  
  • Work alongside nationally recognised clinicians and senior leaders  
  • Make a direct, life-saving impact for communities across the North of England  
  • Competitive senior pay, aviation allowance and long-term career development  
 
Additional Information 
  • This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check  
  • The role involves safeguarding responsibilities for both children and adults  
  • Participation in PR and charity engagement activities is expected  
 
If you would like to discuss the role before applying, please send an email to recruitment@gnaas.co.uk. 
 
Closing Date for Applications:  Sunday 22nd February 2026 (Midnight) 
Benefits

- Pay Progression (starting salary £70,100 rising to £81,400 after 5 years)
- 5% Aviation Allowance (subject to maintaining regular TCM exposure)
- Company Pension Scheme
- 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years
- Private Medical Insurance
- Health Cash Plan
- Life Assurance
- Blue Light Card
- Onsite Gym
- Employee Assistance Programme

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