At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

A detailed job description and person specification is attached but please see further information below.

In this role, you will play a key part in leading and shaping a Trust-wide Portering service that supports safe, efficient patient flow across Southampton General and Princess Anne Hospital sites.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading and coordinating the Portering workforce, providing day-to-day management of Supervisors and Porters, ensuring staff are deployed effectively, and service standards are consistently met.
• Managing live operational activity, resolving issues independently, supporting emergency response, and ensuring continuity of service across all shifts using digital task management and rostering systems.
• Driving service quality and improvement, monitoring performance data, supporting audits, producing reports, and contributing to the implementation of new systems and technologies.
• Supporting staff development and compliance, overseeing training, induction, appraisal processes, and ensuring adherence to Trust policies, Health & Safety requirements, and infection-control standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will make a direct impact on patient experience, operational efficiency, and the smooth running of essential hospital services.

We are looking for someone who brings strong operational leadership, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to manage a busy, fast-moving service.

The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate

• Experience supervising or coordinating Portering in a healthcare or fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience of delivering a service through an operational team, including staff deployment, roster management, prioritising and adjusting resources to meet changing demands.
• Experience of a portering service including patient and equipment transfers would be an added extra but can be taught.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate staff, build positive working relationships, and maintain professionalism under pressure.
• The ability to work independently, using sound judgement, initiative, and analytical thinking to resolve issues and support service improvement.

Additional Information

The postholder will report to the Portering Operations Manager and work closely with the Site Operations Team, clinical departments, and a wide range of internal stakeholders. You will also deputise for the Portering Operations Manager when required, providing leadership across shifts and ensuring the service remains resilient, well-coordinated, and responsive to operational demands.

NHS experience is welcome, but we also encourage applications from candidates with operational management experience in sectors such as the Armed Forces, retail, catering, warehousing, or similar service environments.

If you have experience leading teams on site, delivering services through others, and creating a supportive and engaged workforce, we would like to hear from you.

This role supports a 7-day service, so the postholder will be required to work across a rota that includes weekdays and weekends.

Training will be provided, and opportunities will be available to develop leadership skills and advance within the Portering management structure.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to foundation degree level in Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related subject or equivalent experience.
• Health and Safety qualification (e.g., IOSH, NEBOSH) or willingness to work towards one.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience supervising or coordinating operational teams within a healthcare or similar operational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and promote a culture of safety, respect, compassion, and inclusion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of relevant, statutory requirements, and operational standards.
• Experience supporting service improvement initiatives or change management.
• Practical knowledge of portering operations, including staff deployment, patient and equipment transfers, and service delivery.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to motivate staff and build effective working relationships across departments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain professionalism under pressure, including during emergency or time-critical situations.
• Capable of working independently, using initiative and sound judgement with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and promote a culture of safety, respect, compassion, and inclusion.