Job summary
The Perioperative Operational Lead will provide single point leadership for all theatre services, ensuring that senior nurses, ODPs and theatre co-ordinators are empowered, supported and held to account for the delivery of safe, effective and efficient theatre services. The post holder will be highly visible and accessible within the theatre environment, providing clear operational direction and professional leadership to maintain patient safety, quality and experience at all times.
Main duties of the job
This post holder will work in closely with clinical and operational colleagues to ensure optimal theatre utilisation, list efficiency and workforce deployment. They will implement and oversee local systems and processes to ensure theatres operate effectively, meeting agreed performance standards and national requirements. The role requires strong operational decision making, coordination across specialities and sites and proactive escalation and resolution of issues impacting theatre performance.
The Perioperative Operational Lead will hold responsibility for ensuring the efficient and effective day to day running of the environment ensuring sufficiently trained Nursing/ODP workforce
The post holder will also lead a multidisciplinary team, manage theatre resources, and drive continuous improvement in clinical standards, patient experience, and operational performance. They will work closely with operational leads, Service Managers, Consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure that services are aligned with national standards, Trust objectives, and local population needs. This role requires advanced clinical knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to manage complex service demands across a multi-site organisation.
Please note this post will close at sufficient applicants
About us
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
Your Leadership Impact
Leading your Team to Success
Leading Into the Future
Service Improvement for Beginners
Developing your Service Improvement Skills
Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
Explore leadership within the NHS
Promote Trust values and behaviours
Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Advanced clinical knowledge of operating theatre practice, workflow, staffing and peri-operative clinical standards
- NHS operational management experience
- Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams in a perioperative setting
- Theatre service improvement experience
- Strong understanding of NHS clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management frameworks
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence and negotiate across clinical and operational teams
- Ability to analyse complex data and performance metrics to inform patient safety, Quality & service improvement
- Budgetary and resource planning
- Change and project management
Desirable
- Knowledge of lean methodologies, Six Sigma or similar service improvement tools
- Experience in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures
- Experience in managing change across multiple sites or services
- Experience in preparing for CQC inspections
- Familiarity with theatre scheduling software and digital transformation initiatives
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse or AHP (NMC/HCPC)
- Educated to masters level (or equivalent relevant experience)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Leadership training or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership or management
- Teaching or mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant leadership experience within theatre services
- Demonstrated success in leading service improvement initiatives
- Experience in managing clinical incidents, complaints, and governance processes
- Proven track record of achieving performance targets and KPIs
Desirable
- Involvement in research, audit or quality improvement projects
- Experience in developing business cases or service proposals
- Experience of working across multi site theatre services
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Compassionate, inclusive, and values-driven leadership style
- Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure
- Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
- High level of emotional intelligence and resilience
- Willingness to mentor and develop junior leaders
Desirable
- Active participation in professional networks or forums
- Previous experience in changing service needs
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Advanced clinical knowledge of operating theatre practice, workflow, staffing and peri-operative clinical standards
- NHS operational management experience
- Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams in a perioperative setting
- Theatre service improvement experience
- Strong understanding of NHS clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management frameworks
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence and negotiate across clinical and operational teams
- Ability to analyse complex data and performance metrics to inform patient safety, Quality & service improvement
- Budgetary and resource planning
- Change and project management
Desirable
- Knowledge of lean methodologies, Six Sigma or similar service improvement tools
- Experience in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures
- Experience in managing change across multiple sites or services
- Experience in preparing for CQC inspections
- Familiarity with theatre scheduling software and digital transformation initiatives
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse or AHP (NMC/HCPC)
- Educated to masters level (or equivalent relevant experience)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Leadership training or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership or management
- Teaching or mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant leadership experience within theatre services
- Demonstrated success in leading service improvement initiatives
- Experience in managing clinical incidents, complaints, and governance processes
- Proven track record of achieving performance targets and KPIs
Desirable
- Involvement in research, audit or quality improvement projects
- Experience in developing business cases or service proposals
- Experience of working across multi site theatre services
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Compassionate, inclusive, and values-driven leadership style
- Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure
- Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
- High level of emotional intelligence and resilience
- Willingness to mentor and develop junior leaders
Desirable
- Active participation in professional networks or forums
- Previous experience in changing service needs
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
