University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Divisional Director

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

As Divisional Director, you will be the accountable officer for all aspects of performance across the Division, including quality and safety, operational delivery, workforce, finance, governance and strategic development. You will lead a Triumvirate alongside the Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Nursing Director / Director of AHPs & Healthcare Scientists (depending on Division), supported by dedicated Finance and HR business partners.

You will also provide leadership to the Division's General Managers and Business Units, guiding a diverse range of clinical specialties and technical services. You will ensure robust governance, deliver regulatory compliance, and create the conditions for continuous improvement using the trust Always Improving CQI methodology.

With a divisional budget in excess of £200-£250 million and a workforce of around 3,000-3,500 people, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our services, enabling innovation, and leading the delivery of national and local priorities.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a credible, compassionate and inclusive senior leader with:o Significant experience of senior operational leadership in a large, complex organisationo A strong track record of delivering challenging performance, financial and workforce objectiveso Proven ability to lead large-scale transformation and improvement programmeso Highly developed interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, with confidence operating at Board levelo Expertise in interpreting and applying NHS policy, standards and regulatory frameworkso Political astuteness, intellectual flexibility and sound judgemento A leadership style that is compassionate, inclusive, values-driven and able to inspire high performanceYou will have a Master's degree or equivalent professional experience, and will bring the confidence, resilience and strategic capability needed to lead a division with significant scale, complexity and ambition.

Closing date for applications: 21 April 2026

Interview date: TBC

About us

At UHDB, you will join a supportive and ambitious Executive portfolio, with opportunities to influence Trust-wide strategy through the Trust Management Group, monthly Executive Performance Reviews and cross-Organisational improvement programmes.We offer:o A culture that champions equality, diversity and inclusiono Strong organisational commitment to leadership developmento Opportunities for research, innovation and service redesigno Flexible working where appropriateo Access to a broad, talented and dedicated multidisciplinary workforceo You will also participate in the Trust's Director On-Call (Gold) rota, receiving full training in EPRR, business continuity, and acute site operations.

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£109,179 to £125,637 a year pa (Dependant on experience)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

320-SNR-0229

Job locations

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Join UsThis is a pivotal senior leadership role for an experienced professional driven by the opportunity to shape services, develop people, improve patient outcomes, and lead transformational change at scale.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will oversee a diverse portfolio of services, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, clinical governance standards, and performance targets, in line with national requirements and Trust strategy.

You will bring a deep understanding of clinical, operational, and financial priorities, and foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement. As a champion for your staff and services, you will ensure equity, respect, and visibility across the Division.

As a senior leader within the Trust, you will contribute to corporate leadership and may be required to take responsibility for Trust-wide issues beyond your immediate remit to support shared organisational objectives.

If you are an ambitious leader with the vision, resilience and versatility to lead one of UHDBs largest Divisions, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

If you are an ambitious leader with the vision, resilience and versatility to lead one of UHDBs largest Divisions, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant senior operational management experience in a large acute or complex healthcare organisation.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites or services

Desirable

Experience working at Divisional Director or equivalent level
Experience collaborating with system partners (ICB, NHSE regions, alliances, ODNs).

Skills and Ability

Essential

Proven track record of delivering national access standards (e.g., ED, RTT, cancer, diagnostics).
Demonstrable evidence of maintaining professional competence through the application of performance management, quality, governance, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Qualifications

Essential

Master's Level qualification in related subject / working towards or portfolio of evidence working at that level.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant senior operational management experience in a large acute or complex healthcare organisation.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites or services

Desirable

Experience working at Divisional Director or equivalent level
Experience collaborating with system partners (ICB, NHSE regions, alliances, ODNs).

Skills and Ability

Essential

Proven track record of delivering national access standards (e.g., ED, RTT, cancer, diagnostics).
Demonstrable evidence of maintaining professional competence through the application of performance management, quality, governance, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Qualifications

Essential

Master's Level qualification in related subject / working towards or portfolio of evidence working at that level.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

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