Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and organised individual to join the team as Service manager within the Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer division working in the General Surgery portfolio - encompassing Colorectal, Upper GI, Vascular and Breast surgery; and the Head and Neck portfolio - encompassing ENT, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics and Ophthalmology.
These roles require a proactive and highly organised individual who embodies the Trust values.
You'll need excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to meet tight deadlines, and maintain positive working relationships.
You'll collaborate with service leads to address challenges and ensure smooth, efficient service.
These position involves working across multiple sites: Watford General Hospital, St Albans Hospital and occasionally Hemel Hempstead Hospital.
This role requires regular time on site (80%) and cannot be fully remote.
The Trust is supportive of flexible working and requests will be considered in line with the needs of the service and working patterns across the team.
Main duties of the job
Lead the day-to-day operational management of the specialty, ensuring delivery of RTT, cancer, and performance targets.
Manage budgets, deliver cost improvements, and contribute to business planning and service development.
Provide visible leadership, line manage staff, and ensure workforce planning, appraisals, and development are in place.
Work closely with clinical teams to improve pathways, patient experience, and operational efficiency.
Ensure accurate reporting, data analysis, and effective demand and capacity planning.
Manage staff recruitment, attendance, and HR processes in line with Trust policies.
Ensure effective communication, addressing complaints, and representing clinical and operational teams.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Post Holder will provide day to day operational management for the assigned specialty ensuring that these services are responsive, innovative, and provided to the highest possible standard.
The post holder will take responsibility to ensure all operational, performance, and financial targets are met and support the Managers in moving forward agreed projects to improve service delivery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Post Holder will provide day to day operational management for the assigned specialty ensuring that these services are responsive, innovative, and provided to the highest possible standard.
The post holder will take responsibility to ensure all operational, performance, and financial targets are met and support the Managers in moving forward agreed projects to improve service delivery.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Education to degree level or equivalent qualification
- Operational management experience in an Acute NHS organisation
- Evidence of continuing professional development including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes
Desirable
- Higher professional or management degree (Masters Level) or equivalent knowledge acquired by experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on services.
- Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
- Understanding of principles of budgetary management.
Desirable
- Knowledge of current issues in the NHS.
- Understanding the principles of risk management, health and safety legislation
Experience
Essential
- Good experience managing in a complex NHS service, preferably within the Acute Sector
- Experience of managing staff Working without close supervision Evidence of managing in a busy, complex and dynamic environment.
- Experience of using numerical analysis in problem solving.
- Understanding of and experience of managing elective waiting times (RTT, PTL, Diagnostic etc)
Desirable
- Experience working or managing within medical speciality services.
- Experience of managing budgets Knowledge of business and strategic planning
- Understanding of medical staffing and rota issues.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Education to degree level or equivalent qualification
- Operational management experience in an Acute NHS organisation
- Evidence of continuing professional development including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes
Desirable
- Higher professional or management degree (Masters Level) or equivalent knowledge acquired by experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on services.
- Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
- Understanding of principles of budgetary management.
Desirable
- Knowledge of current issues in the NHS.
- Understanding the principles of risk management, health and safety legislation
Experience
Essential
- Good experience managing in a complex NHS service, preferably within the Acute Sector
- Experience of managing staff Working without close supervision Evidence of managing in a busy, complex and dynamic environment.
- Experience of using numerical analysis in problem solving.
- Understanding of and experience of managing elective waiting times (RTT, PTL, Diagnostic etc)
Desirable
- Experience working or managing within medical speciality services.
- Experience of managing budgets Knowledge of business and strategic planning
- Understanding of medical staffing and rota issues.
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).
