Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
NHS Recruitment Advert - Band 8a Deputy ODN Manager (Neonatal)Strategic Network for Critical Care - South East Region.
Are you an experienced clinical network leader with the passion, credibility and strategic vision to shape neonatal care across a major region?
We are seeking an exceptional Band 8a Deputy Operational Delivery Network (ODN) Manager to support the ODN Manager in leading the Neonatal Critical Care ODN within the newly formed Strategic Network for Critical Care (SNCC).
About us
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, personalizing 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.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
About the Strategic Network for Critical Care:The SNCC spans the entire South East of England, bringing together the Adult Critical Care and Neonatal Critical Care Operational Delivery Networks across: Thames Valley & Wessex (TVW) Kent, Surrey & Sussex (KSS)Across these localities, we deliver seven core functions critical to high-quality, equitable care: Service Delivery Resources Workforce Quality Collaboration Transformation Population HealthOur work is underpinned by strong partnerships with commissioners, ICBs and providers to ensure system-wide improvement.About the RoleReporting to the Neonatal ODN Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the leading and managing of the Neonatal ODN across TVW and KSS. This is a pivotal leadership role at an exciting point of transformation.In 2025/26, the ODNs have come together under the new SNCC umbrella, resulting in redesigned structures, strengthened governance and refreshed funding arrangements. This transition brings opportunities to modernise how we work, enhance cross-regional collaboration and embed agile ways of operating across both the core network team and wider stakeholders.
An the Deputy ODN Manager, you will: Responsible for the effective day-to-day operational management of the network, making decisions, providing solutions and/or advice to staff in response to pressures that may affect network activity. As an active lead, be involved in shaping and delivering the strategic direction of the network. Identify areas for service improvement and lead on projects to enhance the availability of resources and streamline processes to improve network activity.Manage the delivery of regional and national targets, negotiating with clinical leads when necessary to ensure throughput of network activity. Exercise delegated responsibility and deputise as required for the ODN ManagerLine manage staff within the network and wider network support roles. Act as an ambassador leading by example and modelling the network and hosted Trusts values and policies.Why Join Us? Lead one of the most established and respected Neonatal ODNs in England Proven ability to support leading complex programmes, manage stakeholder relationships and deliver measurable impact, strong governance, analytical and strategic planning skills. A collaborative approach with the ability to inspire teams through change and transformation. Influence service delivery and outcomes for babies and families across the Southeast Contribute to shaping a brand-new strategic framework for critical care Become part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking regional team If you are excited by the opportunity to lead at scale, support major transformation and champion excellence in neonatal critical care, we encourage you to apply
We are looking for a dynamic, influential and compassionate leader with: Experience in operational delivery networks, commissioning, or system-level healthcare leadership. Understanding of neonatal services or critical care pathways (highly desirable). Proven ability to support leading complex programmes, manage stakeholderrelationships and deliver measurable impact. Strong governance, analytical and strategic planning skills. A collaborative approach with the ability to inspire teams through change and transformation.This role requires travel across the whole of the southeast and therefore candidate will need to have a driving license and ability to commute around the network footprint regularly.
Job description
Job responsibilities
About the Strategic Network for Critical Care:The SNCC spans the entire South East of England, bringing together the Adult Critical Care and Neonatal Critical Care Operational Delivery Networks across: Thames Valley & Wessex (TVW) Kent, Surrey & Sussex (KSS)Across these localities, we deliver seven core functions critical to high-quality, equitable care: Service Delivery Resources Workforce Quality Collaboration Transformation Population HealthOur work is underpinned by strong partnerships with commissioners, ICBs and providers to ensure system-wide improvement.About the RoleReporting to the Neonatal ODN Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the leading and managing of the Neonatal ODN across TVW and KSS. This is a pivotal leadership role at an exciting point of transformation.In 2025/26, the ODNs have come together under the new SNCC umbrella, resulting in redesigned structures, strengthened governance and refreshed funding arrangements. This transition brings opportunities to modernise how we work, enhance cross-regional collaboration and embed agile ways of operating across both the core network team and wider stakeholders.
An the Deputy ODN Manager, you will: Responsible for the effective day-to-day operational management of the network, making decisions, providing solutions and/or advice to staff in response to pressures that may affect network activity. As an active lead, be involved in shaping and delivering the strategic direction of the network. Identify areas for service improvement and lead on projects to enhance the availability of resources and streamline processes to improve network activity.Manage the delivery of regional and national targets, negotiating with clinical leads when necessary to ensure throughput of network activity. Exercise delegated responsibility and deputise as required for the ODN ManagerLine manage staff within the network and wider network support roles. Act as an ambassador leading by example and modelling the network and hosted Trusts values and policies.Why Join Us? Lead one of the most established and respected Neonatal ODNs in England Proven ability to support leading complex programmes, manage stakeholder relationships and deliver measurable impact, strong governance, analytical and strategic planning skills. A collaborative approach with the ability to inspire teams through change and transformation. Influence service delivery and outcomes for babies and families across the Southeast Contribute to shaping a brand-new strategic framework for critical care Become part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking regional team If you are excited by the opportunity to lead at scale, support major transformation and champion excellence in neonatal critical care, we encourage you to apply
We are looking for a dynamic, influential and compassionate leader with: Experience in operational delivery networks, commissioning, or system-level healthcare leadership. Understanding of neonatal services or critical care pathways (highly desirable). Proven ability to support leading complex programmes, manage stakeholderrelationships and deliver measurable impact. Strong governance, analytical and strategic planning skills. A collaborative approach with the ability to inspire teams through change and transformation.This role requires travel across the whole of the southeast and therefore candidate will need to have a driving license and ability to commute around the network footprint regularly.
Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- First degree/equivalent professional qualification/equivalent experience
- Leadership training
- Management training
- Training and experience to Masters' or equivalent level/post graduate level study
- Project Management qualification / further training or demonstrates substantial level of project delivery experience
- Consolidated experience to demonstrate capability and capacity for management of health services at a senior level
- Demonstrable staff and resource management experience across a range of a variety of issues
- Able to facilitate and implement policy, guidelines and projects from initiation to completion
- Demonstrates experience of managing challenging problems by developing practical workable solutions to address them
- Ability to communicate vision to staff and manage change effectively
Desirable
- Previous proven experience in a healthcare setting
Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- First degree/equivalent professional qualification/equivalent experience
- Leadership training
- Management training
- Training and experience to Masters' or equivalent level/post graduate level study
- Project Management qualification / further training or demonstrates substantial level of project delivery experience
- Consolidated experience to demonstrate capability and capacity for management of health services at a senior level
- Demonstrable staff and resource management experience across a range of a variety of issues
- Able to facilitate and implement policy, guidelines and projects from initiation to completion
- Demonstrates experience of managing challenging problems by developing practical workable solutions to address them
- Ability to communicate vision to staff and manage change effectively
Desirable
- Previous proven experience in a healthcare setting
Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
