Job summary
We are pleased to invite applications for the role of Deputy Head of Operations (DHoO) for Paddock Wood, an exciting opportunity to support the ongoing transition to our new Clinical Operating Model and help shape the future of operational leadership within the division.
As Deputy Head of Operations, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, safe and effective services across the Operating Unit. You will support the Head of Operations in leading teams, driving performance, strengthening clinical and operational oversight, and embedding the divisional approach. This is a pivotal leadership position at a time of significant improvement and development across the service.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Head of Operations will:
- Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight across Paddock Wood
- Support the delivery of the divisional approach, ensuring consistent standards and high-quality care
- Lead and develop OTLs and operational teams through change
- Work closely with the ACL, HOoS, DHOoS and wider leadership teams
- Drive proactive operational performance, workforce planning, wellbeing and culture
- Support incident and risk management, quality governance and escalation pathways
- Champion continuous improvement and service resilience
This role requires a leader who is confident, visible, influential and committed to supporting colleagues through transition while maintaining safe and effective operational delivery.
Colleagues who previously interviewed for DHoO roles as part of the Organisational Change process are not eligible to apply for this position.
This ensures fairness, transparency and consistency with the agreed organisational change approach.
About us
- Option to join NHS pension scheme
- A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years' service.
- Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
- Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
- Access to occupational health and counselling services.
- Award winning wellbeing hub
- Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate:
- Strong operational leadership experience
- Ability to lead teams through change with compassion and clarity
- Excellent communication, decisionmaking and problemsolving skills
- A focus on proactive leadership and collaborative working
- Commitment to delivering high standards of patient care and staff experience
- Confidence in managing performance, quality and governance
- Ability to build trust, influence others and deliver results
Job description
Job responsibilities
We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate:
- Strong operational leadership experience
- Ability to lead teams through change with compassion and clarity
- Excellent communication, decisionmaking and problemsolving skills
- A focus on proactive leadership and collaborative working
- Commitment to delivering high standards of patient care and staff experience
- Confidence in managing performance, quality and governance
- Ability to build trust, influence others and deliver results
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional knowledge acquired through Degree supplemented by Diploma Level specialist training, management qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
- Full, driving licence, valid in the UK and with no more than 3 penalty points.
- Evidence of post qualifying and Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Qualified Tactical Commander, or willing to complete within the next 12 months.
- Have completed, or be willing to complete, Blue Light Driver Course to enable a response to a Major or Critical Incident
Knowledge
Essential
- Must have an understanding of the background to, and aims of, current Healthcare Policy, and appreciate the implications of this on engagement.
- Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the department of Health, NHS England, and individual provider, and commissioning organisations.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.
- Experience of undertaking formal investigations and hearings.
- Experience in producing reports and analysing data to support decision making and recommendations.
Skills
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with Staff on difficult and controversial issues
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills.
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes, and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional knowledge acquired through Degree supplemented by Diploma Level specialist training, management qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
- Full, driving licence, valid in the UK and with no more than 3 penalty points.
- Evidence of post qualifying and Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Qualified Tactical Commander, or willing to complete within the next 12 months.
- Have completed, or be willing to complete, Blue Light Driver Course to enable a response to a Major or Critical Incident
Knowledge
Essential
- Must have an understanding of the background to, and aims of, current Healthcare Policy, and appreciate the implications of this on engagement.
- Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the department of Health, NHS England, and individual provider, and commissioning organisations.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.
- Experience of undertaking formal investigations and hearings.
- Experience in producing reports and analysing data to support decision making and recommendations.
Skills
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with Staff on difficult and controversial issues
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills.
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes, and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action.
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).
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.
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).
