University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Divisional Director of Operations
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a new Divisional Director of Operations to join our senior operational leadership team at UHS. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced senior operational leader to join our trust and lead a high performing and cohesive divisional team, with compassion, inspiration and aspiration for our patients - and for all of our colleagues.
Working in partnership with your divisional leadership colleagues, including Clinical Director and Director of Nursing & Professions, you will jointly lead services in Surgery, Critical Care, CV&T, neurosciences (including spines) and Theatres & Anaesthetics within Division A; which is made up of c.4000 staff and has a budget c.£400 million.
As one of three DDOs within UHS, you will have joint responsibility for driving forward corporate and collaborative programmes of work and service direction, both within UHS and with our external partners.
This role includes a £10,000 responsibility allowance
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
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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
What you’ll do
- You will be responsible for driving operational performance and strategic development of Division A; including the delivery of high-quality patient care, clinical governance, patient safety, clinical quality, and the delivery of financial targets.
- You will have joint responsibility for driving forward corporate and collaborative programmes of work and service direction, while providing compassionate and inspiring leadership.
- We are a dynamic and fast paced organisation, that is continuously evolving, always improving and encourages innovation. We are committed to your career development and offer a supportive, flexible and collaborative working environment.
What We’re Looking For
- You will have a proven track record leading complex operational and clinical specialities in the acute sector; with a record of achieving challenging healthcare targets and leading and delivering significant programmes of change.
- With excellent inter-personal, team development, leadership and communications skills, you will be committed to building positive working partnerships with senior managers, staff and a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
- You will bring a track record of effective financial delivery, including efficiency savings, income and expenditure targets and an extensive understanding of managing multiple performance targets and a variety of NHS care pathways.
- You will be able to demonstrate and live our UHS Values and share our vision and direction for the division - and our trust - in a spirit of collaboration and compassion
- A strong leader, with a proven background in operational delivery, allied to the ability to build, develop and sustain exceptional teams delivering outstanding care.
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This role will involve an element of on-call cover.
Stakeholder sessions will be held virtually on Monday 17th August, with interviews on Wednesday 19th August onsite at our hospital.
Person specification
Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential criteria
- First degree or an equivalent level of experience
- Evidence of other specialist knowledge at higher degree or Master’s level
- Extensive knowledge of the NHS in the acute sector with up-to-date knowledge of operational/clinical services
- Significant experience within the Healthcare sector at very senior manager level including responsibility for strategic planning and budgetary control for group of complex operational/clinical specialities
- Evidence of CPD
- Proven track record of achieving challenging healthcare targets
- Experience of leading and delivering significant programmes of change within an NHS setting
- Experience of managing and hearing performance issues, including at dismissal level
- Well-developed IT skills to manage and report on complex performance management information
- Ability to critically analyse and present complex data including financial and clinical data sets
- Business focused
- Sensitive to clinical and political demand
- Proven record of pro-active performance management
- Able to participate in on-call rota
- Ability to build successful teams
- Ability to manage conflict
- Business focused
- Innovative thinker with the ability to cut through barriers to change
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in an Acute Teaching hospital
- Previous experience of having worked on a management on call rota
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