Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Microbiology Directorate Operational Manager

The closing date is 21 October 2025

Job summary

Applications are invited for the role of Microbiology Directorate Operational Manager.

Candidates must have extensive management experience (5 years minimum at 8A level or above) and have experience of managing services across multiple sites.

Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the challenges of managing a multi-site service operating to common policies and procedures.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Microbiology Directorate which encompasses both Microbiology and Serology. The microbiology directorate employs approx. 65 WTE staff spread across a 2 site service model serving 7 hospital sites.

The role requires close working with Directorate Operational Managers in Cellular Pathology, Blood Sciences and the Chief of Service for the Pathology Network group. You will report to the Director of Operations for the Pathology Network Group. This team forms the senior management team for Path Links Network.

You will also work with other Microbiology leaders across the ME2 (Midlands and East 2) Pathology Network to collaborate on procurement and service developments and support each other in delivering microbiology across the ME2 network.

You will also work closely with our business and finance teams and trust IPC teams.

Applicants must be qualified biomedical scientists specialising in Microbiology /Virology or Serology.

Main duties of the job

Development and oversight of the microbiology service

Project management of equipment replacement projects end to end

Equipment replacement planning

Intensive knowledge of quality standards for example UKAS ISO:15189 / MHRA/HTA

Responsible person for the regulatory compliance position of the microbiology directorate - requirement to monitor compliance and liaise with managers/senior staff to achieve KPI's

Liaison with service users - both in primary and secondary care to model services to meet demands

Excellent communication skills required for discussions with stakeholders and directorate members, sometimes in challenging circumstances. Ability to think quickly and tailor responses sensitively and accordingly.

Produce reports to deadlines e.g. KPI reports, performance reports and present these to various management and governance meetings within the trust and the pathology group.

Production of business cases for new service developments and presentation of these for financial and technical approval

Identify CIP schemes and monitor delivery of these schemes including monthly highlight reports to track progress to deliver CIP targets

Financial performance monitoring of the microbiology directorate - both pay/non-pay in conjunction with the finance manager to achieve a break even position at year end

Recruitment and Workforce planning

Advise departmental managers on complex staffing situations and hear cases that require escalation with appropriate HR support

About us

The Humber Health Partnership is one of the largest acute and community Partnership arrangements in the NHS, seeing well over one million patients every year and managing a budget of over £1.3 billion.

Made up of two Trusts - Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) - our Partnership has significant ambitions and is committed to delivering world-class hospital and community services for the 1.65 million people we serve.

Together we employ nearly 20,000 staff. Our five main hospital sites are Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Goole and District Hospital, for NLAG and Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital for HUTH.

As Teaching Hospitals working with the Hull York Medical School, we both lead and contribute to research in many areas - biomedical research, primary care, palliative medicine, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, vascular surgery, cancer surgery and oncology.

We believe that by developing a diverse, inclusive, innovative, skilled and caring workforce, we can deliver excellent care to our patients and a great future for our employees, our Partnership and our community.

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

208-4A4EEB-25-1

Job locations

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Cliff Gardens

Scunthorpe

DN15 7BH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description for detailed description of the duties.

It should be noted that things are changing within pathology networks and therefore this is likely to be subject to change.

There will undoubtedly be a requirement to work with network colleagues across ME2, HUTH and SHYPS (Scarborough Hull York Pathology Service)

The successful candidate must be open to change and be capable of managing and selling change to staff across the directorate in order to continually improve the service and match this to the best patient outcomes.

For more detailed information, please read the job description linked below.

As a Trust we are keen to offer and encourage flexible working opportunities to address health and wellbeing and work-life balance for our employees, this will have a positive impact on the care we provide.

Flexible working is part of a wider commitment to improve the quality and experience of working life and we recognise that it is a key contributor for the recruitment and retention of our employees.

We therefore support and encourage open conversations around a specific working pattern to suit your work-life balance or a multi-role career, if it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Local flexible working arrangements are developed in partnership between the line manager and employee in order to ensure equality of access to flexible working, as far as practicable, regardless of role, shift pattern, team or pay, based on: patient/service user and staff experience, service delivery and work-life balance of colleagues.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.

We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://join.humberhealthpartnership.nhs.uk/

In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers.

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description for detailed description of the duties.

It should be noted that things are changing within pathology networks and therefore this is likely to be subject to change.

There will undoubtedly be a requirement to work with network colleagues across ME2, HUTH and SHYPS (Scarborough Hull York Pathology Service)

The successful candidate must be open to change and be capable of managing and selling change to staff across the directorate in order to continually improve the service and match this to the best patient outcomes.

For more detailed information, please read the job description linked below.

As a Trust we are keen to offer and encourage flexible working opportunities to address health and wellbeing and work-life balance for our employees, this will have a positive impact on the care we provide.

Flexible working is part of a wider commitment to improve the quality and experience of working life and we recognise that it is a key contributor for the recruitment and retention of our employees.

We therefore support and encourage open conversations around a specific working pattern to suit your work-life balance or a multi-role career, if it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Local flexible working arrangements are developed in partnership between the line manager and employee in order to ensure equality of access to flexible working, as far as practicable, regardless of role, shift pattern, team or pay, based on: patient/service user and staff experience, service delivery and work-life balance of colleagues.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.

We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://join.humberhealthpartnership.nhs.uk/

In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers.

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • oFellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) or Masters Degree (MSc) in a blood sciences specialty
  • oAdditional specialist management knowledge by either Masters level management qualification e.g. MBA or equivalent relevant managerial experience at a senior management level
  • oRegistration with the Health Care Profession Council

Desirable

  • oIBMS Higher Specialist Examination
  • oI.T. Qualification

Occupational Experience

Essential

  • oMinimum 5 years experience, post MSc level, experience Band 8A grade
  • oSignificant experience of implementation of continuous improvement strategies and management

Desirable

  • oExperience of managing teams in disciplines that are not the individuals main area of specialty
  • oExperience of managing a networked service and a good understanding of the complexities this presents
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • oFellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) or Masters Degree (MSc) in a blood sciences specialty
  • oAdditional specialist management knowledge by either Masters level management qualification e.g. MBA or equivalent relevant managerial experience at a senior management level
  • oRegistration with the Health Care Profession Council

Desirable

  • oIBMS Higher Specialist Examination
  • oI.T. Qualification

Occupational Experience

Essential

  • oMinimum 5 years experience, post MSc level, experience Band 8A grade
  • oSignificant experience of implementation of continuous improvement strategies and management

Desirable

  • oExperience of managing teams in disciplines that are not the individuals main area of specialty
  • oExperience of managing a networked service and a good understanding of the complexities this presents

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Cliff Gardens

Scunthorpe

DN15 7BH


Employer's website

https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Cliff Gardens

Scunthorpe

DN15 7BH


Employer's website

https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director of Operations - Pathology Network Group

Elaine Seale

elaine.seale@nhs.net

07928129009

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

208-4A4EEB-25-1

Job locations

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Cliff Gardens

Scunthorpe

DN15 7BH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)