Job summary
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust is seeking a forward-thinking and experienced leader to join our senior leadership team as Strategic Lead for Resource and Capacity Planning.
This pivotal role will provide executive-level oversight and strategic direction for the planning and optimisation of our operational resources across the Trust. With a core focus on workforce deployment, capacity modelling, demand forecasting, and system resilience, the postholder will be instrumental in shaping how we deliver safe, efficient, and responsive services to the communities we serve.
You will lead the development and implementation of innovative planning frameworks, champion data-driven decision-making, and support the transformation of operational delivery models to align resources effectively with patient needs.
Working in close partnership with the Chief Operating Officer and the wider Operations team, you will play a central role in enhancing organisational agility, strengthening performance, and embedding sustainable planning practices across the Trust.
We are looking for a strategic, analytical, and collaborative leader with a strong track record in operational planning, resource optimisation, or urgent and emergency care systems. The successful candidate will bring the ability to influence across organisational boundaries, drive continuous improvement, and deliver measurable impact in service quality and performance.
Main duties of the job
- Meeting (and where possible improving on) key performance, quality and personal targets contributing to the achievement of the Service Plan.
- 100% of Annual Performance Reviews, appraisals and Personal Development Plans completed to time and in line with the agreed policy.
- Improving employee satisfaction results as measured by the Staff Survey, notably engagement and communications.
- Improving staff retention, attendance and the performance management of individual staff;
- Meeting patient and internal complaints targets focusing on continuous improvement by actively implementing improvements learned from outcomes.
- Achieving budget and financial targets and making efficiencies where appropriate.
- Managing corporate risk including supervising and investigating Serious Incidents; taking mitigating actions and embedding the learning from the events taking actions to prevent similar reoccurrence.
- Optimal production of all resources to support the model of delivery.
- Effective staff and Trade Union communication and engagement.
- Achievement of contractual and regulatory performance targets
- Complaints targets are met.
- Risk management
About us
You'll have the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse regions in the country, with the vibrant capital city just a stone's throw away and the invigorating North Sea coast to the east.
The East of England offers a unique blend of innovation and opportunity, surrounded by picturesque countryside, historic towns, and quick access to both the bustling capital and serene coastlines.
At EEAST we bring together all our skills to provide 24 hour, 365 days a year urgent care to those in need of emergency and non-emergency medical treatment and transport in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
We are always looking to innovate our approaches and work together to offer the best possible patient care across our counties.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as Black, Asian, or other ethnic groups, individuals with a Disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.
We at EEAST want to support our employees achieve a balance between work and other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, family commitments, further learning, and other interests. We therefore welcome flexible working requests.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative leader with:
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Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to lead and inspire multi-disciplinary and geographically dispersed planning and operational teams
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Proven ability to drive strategic transformation, service redesign, and performance improvement within a fast-paced, high-demand environment
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Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to influence across operational, clinical, and system-wide forums
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Significant experience in leading complex planning or operational delivery functions, ideally within an ambulance trust or wider NHS setting
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A strong understanding of workforce and resource planning, demand and capacity modelling, and the challenges of delivering urgent and emergency care services
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative leader with:
-
Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to lead and inspire multi-disciplinary and geographically dispersed planning and operational teams
-
Proven ability to drive strategic transformation, service redesign, and performance improvement within a fast-paced, high-demand environment
-
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to influence across operational, clinical, and system-wide forums
-
Significant experience in leading complex planning or operational delivery functions, ideally within an ambulance trust or wider NHS setting
-
A strong understanding of workforce and resource planning, demand and capacity modelling, and the challenges of delivering urgent and emergency care services
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree, equivalent professional qualifications and/or substantial demonstrable experience in a similar role or setting.
- Have or be willing to complete a Blue Light Driver Course to enable a response to a Major or Significant Incident for command purposes
- Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK and with no more than 6 penalty points (of SP30 only).
Desirable
- NARU occupational standards Strategic Commander accreditation (MAGIC)
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrating Continuous Personal Development including Management, Organisation Development and Change Management.
- Planning and prioritising conflicting demands and often unpredictable work patterns.
- Creating a clear vision and translating strategies into Operational Plans.
- Ability to manage performance and implement quality systems.
Personal Qualities, Abilities & Attributes
Essential
- Being accountable for results and actions and, in turn, holding others to account.
- Initiating, building, and maintaining relationships with internal and external key stakeholders, developing partnerships and cooperative working.
- Demonstrating a passion for the delivery of quality services.
Experience
Essential
- Significant, successful senior management experience
- Proven ability to improve operational performance at a senior level.
- Proven budget management experience
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree, equivalent professional qualifications and/or substantial demonstrable experience in a similar role or setting.
- Have or be willing to complete a Blue Light Driver Course to enable a response to a Major or Significant Incident for command purposes
- Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK and with no more than 6 penalty points (of SP30 only).
Desirable
- NARU occupational standards Strategic Commander accreditation (MAGIC)
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrating Continuous Personal Development including Management, Organisation Development and Change Management.
- Planning and prioritising conflicting demands and often unpredictable work patterns.
- Creating a clear vision and translating strategies into Operational Plans.
- Ability to manage performance and implement quality systems.
Personal Qualities, Abilities & Attributes
Essential
- Being accountable for results and actions and, in turn, holding others to account.
- Initiating, building, and maintaining relationships with internal and external key stakeholders, developing partnerships and cooperative working.
- Demonstrating a passion for the delivery of quality services.
Experience
Essential
- Significant, successful senior management experience
- Proven ability to improve operational performance at a senior level.
- Proven budget management experience
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).
