Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Directorate Manager Surgery

The closing date is 26 March 2026

Job summary

Are you an excellent people manager with the ability to shape and influence service change? Do you have the proven ability to translate a challenging, fast moving and complex agendas into reality? If so, the Surgical Division is on an exciting journey of improvement and development to ensure that our services are focused on quality and safety. We currently have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic leader to join us and embrace the journey of continuous improvement and transformational change.

Reporting to the Divisional Director of Operations, you will directly manage the ENT/Audiology, OMFS and Dermatology Directorate. You will be responsible for ensuring operational safety, efficient and effectiveness of services, effective clinical governance and risk management, and budgetary/ workforce management.

Who should apply? You should be enthusiastic; experience senior leader looking to develop and expand your NHS managerial career. You must be able to demonstrate a strong performance focus and evidence sustained recovery and transformation services you have managed to date. You must be an experience manager who can lead a large team effectively ensuring performance and activity targets are achieved. You should be able to demonstrate how you have worked collaboratively and successfully with clinical teams. Finally, you should be passionate about improving care and up for a challenge.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide operational leadership and management for the Directorate working in partnership with the Clinical Director and Matrons. The post holder will ensure that the Directorate and its services meet their quality, activity and financial targets. Working with the Clinical Directors, Matrons, Director of Operations, Divisional Director, and Director of Nursing to assist in the planning, objective-setting and change management within both the Directorate and the Division as a whole.

Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment:

As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role.

Applicants will be prompted in the application form to declare if they wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, and their response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.

If you have any queries about expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please contact Rob Saunders (HR Manager - Recruitment) in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9365-26-0016

Job locations

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD


Kidderminster General Hospital

Bewdley Road

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 6RJ


The Alexandra Hospital

Woodrow Drive

Redditch

Worcestershire

B98 7UB


Job description

Job responsibilities

PERFORMANCE

  • To ensure that the operational performance of the Directorate is effectively managed to meet agreed objectives and targets.
  • To work in close conjunction with the Director of Operations, Clinical Directors and Matrons to set and deliver the Directorate objectives, in line with Divisional and Corporate targets and strategies.
  • To manage and deliver income and expenditure (I&E) balance on the budget devolved within the Directorate.
  • To plan and monitor performance against all activity targets and other service objectives.
  • To ensure that all national and locally agreed waiting times and bookings targets are understood within the Directorate and met.
  • To work closely with Cancer Services Team to ensure the appropriate monitoring and delivery of cancer targets.
  • Prepare and plan to meet inspection criteria for external reviews such as cancer peer review, external QA audits and CQC inspections as appropriate.
  • Alongside the Directorate Management team, to take responsibility for the delivery of national performance indicators relating to the clinical service.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

  • To be accountable for the delivery of income and expenditure (I&E) balance for the Directorate. This will involve a close, professional working relationship with the Directorate Finance Manager and the establishment and maintenance of an effective performance management system within the Directorate.
  • To develop business cases and present to the divisional team. These will often involve complex financial / activity analysis using financial modelling.
  • To participate in pricing and costing, working towards relating patient activity, by diagnostic condition to expenditure.
  • To ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions (SFI).

BUSINESS / POLICY / PLANNING

  • To deliver the annual capacity and business planning process for the Directorate. Identify annual objectives, productivity and efficiency schemes, cost pressures, capital bids and workforce plan as part of this process, to agreed timescales.
  • To support the Clinical Director, Matrons / Ward Managers, Departmental Managers and other key personnel within the Directorate to strategically review their services and identify areas for improvement and efficiency.
  • To work closely with the finance and business teams to develop innovative methods of income generation (fully understanding the implications of patient choice), financial control, strategic planning and submission of bids for local and national funding.
  • To draft business cases / briefing documents and papers, for submission by the Divisional Medical Director / Director of Operations to the relevant senior advisory and decision making committees
  • To effectively manage the implementation of agreed outcomes from submitted papers / reports as detailed above.
  • To ensure the review and update of policies / procedures and working practices across the specialities / departments within the Directorate to ensure standards of practice are maintained. To contribute to the update and rewriting of Trust wide policies.
  • To ensure all Trust policies are adhered to within the Directorate.
  • To undertake project work as directed by the Director of Operations.

TRANSFORMATION

  • To lead Directorate clinical teams in service redesign/ improvement and clinical strategy development.
  • To lead and advise the Divisional Team on the development and implementation of strategies within the Directorate that respond to key national initiatives.
  • To identify opportunities to work with partner organisations in the integrated care system and regional tertiary services which improve the way services are delivered to the local population.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

  • To motivate and take line management responsibility (direct and delegated) for all non-clinical staff within the Directorate, with direct line management of the Directorate admin team.
  • To work with the Clinical Director and Matrons to provide leadership to all staff across the Directorate.
  • To ensure appropriate implementation of Trust HR policies.
  • To oversee the effective recruitment, induction, training and development of all non-clinical staff within departments across the Directorate, ensuring that each member of staff has a robust appraisal.
  • To support the Clinical Director in the monitoring and management of medical staffing in the Directorate, including job planning, workforce planning, recruitment and ensuring robust rota management is in place.
  • To ensure Junior Doctor compliance in relation to European Working Time Directive, working closely with Clinical Directors to achieve this.
  • On behalf of the Director of Ops review workforce plans with heads of department, corporate staff group leads and HR to ensure appropriate and effective workforce planning in short, medium and long term scenarios.
  • To ensure effective communication channels with all team members are established, maintained and developed within the Directorate.
  • To work closely with the Human Resources team in developing a partnership working framework with staff representatives within the Directorate.
  • To manage compliance with HR key performance indicators including the development of action plans for improvement.

GOVERNANCE

  • To work alongside the Clinical Director and matrons to ensure the Directorate deliver all aspects of the Trust quality improvement strategy; maintaining the highest standards in quality, safety and patient experience for service users.
  • To develop a strategy to enhance quality standards within the Directorate in line with the overall objectives of the Trust. Establish appropriate mechanisms to monitor achievement and take action in the event of underperformance.
  • To work with the Divisional governance team and Directorate management team to ensure that appropriate processes are in place for the management, monitoring and escalation of governance concerns within the Directorate. These should be in line with Divisional, Trust and external processes.
  • To ensure effective risk management and incident reporting within the Directorate.
  • To be ensure effective complaints management within the Directorate, including adherence to timescales for completion.
  • To support the clinical team in implementation of operational changes resulting from governance or quality concerns, tying resource requirements into financial and workforce planning and leading on implementation of change.
  • To be involved with Directorate quality improvement initiatives, in line with the Trust single improvement methodology.
  • To identify opportunities for change that will improve or assist the development of clinical practice and which lead to improvements in quality or efficiency within the Directorate.

CORPORATE & ON CALL DUTIES

  • To participate in the Trusts management on-call rota.
  • To investigate / hear internal staff grievances / complaints from other Divisions as required.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PERFORMANCE

  • To ensure that the operational performance of the Directorate is effectively managed to meet agreed objectives and targets.
  • To work in close conjunction with the Director of Operations, Clinical Directors and Matrons to set and deliver the Directorate objectives, in line with Divisional and Corporate targets and strategies.
  • To manage and deliver income and expenditure (I&E) balance on the budget devolved within the Directorate.
  • To plan and monitor performance against all activity targets and other service objectives.
  • To ensure that all national and locally agreed waiting times and bookings targets are understood within the Directorate and met.
  • To work closely with Cancer Services Team to ensure the appropriate monitoring and delivery of cancer targets.
  • Prepare and plan to meet inspection criteria for external reviews such as cancer peer review, external QA audits and CQC inspections as appropriate.
  • Alongside the Directorate Management team, to take responsibility for the delivery of national performance indicators relating to the clinical service.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

  • To be accountable for the delivery of income and expenditure (I&E) balance for the Directorate. This will involve a close, professional working relationship with the Directorate Finance Manager and the establishment and maintenance of an effective performance management system within the Directorate.
  • To develop business cases and present to the divisional team. These will often involve complex financial / activity analysis using financial modelling.
  • To participate in pricing and costing, working towards relating patient activity, by diagnostic condition to expenditure.
  • To ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions (SFI).

BUSINESS / POLICY / PLANNING

  • To deliver the annual capacity and business planning process for the Directorate. Identify annual objectives, productivity and efficiency schemes, cost pressures, capital bids and workforce plan as part of this process, to agreed timescales.
  • To support the Clinical Director, Matrons / Ward Managers, Departmental Managers and other key personnel within the Directorate to strategically review their services and identify areas for improvement and efficiency.
  • To work closely with the finance and business teams to develop innovative methods of income generation (fully understanding the implications of patient choice), financial control, strategic planning and submission of bids for local and national funding.
  • To draft business cases / briefing documents and papers, for submission by the Divisional Medical Director / Director of Operations to the relevant senior advisory and decision making committees
  • To effectively manage the implementation of agreed outcomes from submitted papers / reports as detailed above.
  • To ensure the review and update of policies / procedures and working practices across the specialities / departments within the Directorate to ensure standards of practice are maintained. To contribute to the update and rewriting of Trust wide policies.
  • To ensure all Trust policies are adhered to within the Directorate.
  • To undertake project work as directed by the Director of Operations.

TRANSFORMATION

  • To lead Directorate clinical teams in service redesign/ improvement and clinical strategy development.
  • To lead and advise the Divisional Team on the development and implementation of strategies within the Directorate that respond to key national initiatives.
  • To identify opportunities to work with partner organisations in the integrated care system and regional tertiary services which improve the way services are delivered to the local population.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

  • To motivate and take line management responsibility (direct and delegated) for all non-clinical staff within the Directorate, with direct line management of the Directorate admin team.
  • To work with the Clinical Director and Matrons to provide leadership to all staff across the Directorate.
  • To ensure appropriate implementation of Trust HR policies.
  • To oversee the effective recruitment, induction, training and development of all non-clinical staff within departments across the Directorate, ensuring that each member of staff has a robust appraisal.
  • To support the Clinical Director in the monitoring and management of medical staffing in the Directorate, including job planning, workforce planning, recruitment and ensuring robust rota management is in place.
  • To ensure Junior Doctor compliance in relation to European Working Time Directive, working closely with Clinical Directors to achieve this.
  • On behalf of the Director of Ops review workforce plans with heads of department, corporate staff group leads and HR to ensure appropriate and effective workforce planning in short, medium and long term scenarios.
  • To ensure effective communication channels with all team members are established, maintained and developed within the Directorate.
  • To work closely with the Human Resources team in developing a partnership working framework with staff representatives within the Directorate.
  • To manage compliance with HR key performance indicators including the development of action plans for improvement.

GOVERNANCE

  • To work alongside the Clinical Director and matrons to ensure the Directorate deliver all aspects of the Trust quality improvement strategy; maintaining the highest standards in quality, safety and patient experience for service users.
  • To develop a strategy to enhance quality standards within the Directorate in line with the overall objectives of the Trust. Establish appropriate mechanisms to monitor achievement and take action in the event of underperformance.
  • To work with the Divisional governance team and Directorate management team to ensure that appropriate processes are in place for the management, monitoring and escalation of governance concerns within the Directorate. These should be in line with Divisional, Trust and external processes.
  • To ensure effective risk management and incident reporting within the Directorate.
  • To be ensure effective complaints management within the Directorate, including adherence to timescales for completion.
  • To support the clinical team in implementation of operational changes resulting from governance or quality concerns, tying resource requirements into financial and workforce planning and leading on implementation of change.
  • To be involved with Directorate quality improvement initiatives, in line with the Trust single improvement methodology.
  • To identify opportunities for change that will improve or assist the development of clinical practice and which lead to improvements in quality or efficiency within the Directorate.

CORPORATE & ON CALL DUTIES

  • To participate in the Trusts management on-call rota.
  • To investigate / hear internal staff grievances / complaints from other Divisions as required.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience at a senior management level in an acute setting to include the following:
  • Proven record of pro-active management to achieve key performance targets.
  • Demonstrable experience of service re-design/ business planning and change management initiatives.
  • Track record of effective financial management including delivery of efficiency savings, income and expenditure targets.
  • Experience in managing and responding to a range of operational issues.

Skills/ Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to analyse issues and make judgements on a wide range of general management subjects e.g. Finance, HR, quality, environment and external issues.
  • Excellent communications skills including the ability to make effective formal presentations and informal approaches to a wide range of audiences, adapting the style and method of communication as appropriate.
  • Able to form effective working relationships and partnerships across professional groups/ divisional boundaries and maintain personal credibility.
  • Well-developed IT skills to manage and report on complex performance management information.
  • Ability to conduct negotiations with others in the organisation and externally.
  • Ability to quickly grasp new ideas/concepts.
  • Ability to influence and motivate staff to deliver targets.
  • Ability to critically analyse and interpret complex management and patient information and data sets to support decision making and service improvements.
  • Evidence of participation in strategic management processes and their application e.g. financial and workforce planning,
  • Knowledge of the financial flows in the NHS and the impact on service planning.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of employment law and good HR management practice.
  • Knowledge and understanding of national strategies/policy concerning patient care and national plans.
  • Knowledge of the clinical and corporate governance agenda and role of the CQC.
  • Knowledge of the inspection and regulation environment in which the trust operates.

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate our Trust values and behaviours: -
  • Being open and honest we all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
  • Ensuring people feel cared for we all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
  • Showing respect for everyone we all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives.

Qualifications

Essential

  • First degree or professional academic qualification
  • Relevant Management qualification or equivalent

Desirable

  • Masters degree and / or equivalent experience

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Pragmatic diplomatic management of situations and processes.
  • Displays strong motivation and commitment to success.
  • Ownership of personal development.
  • Resilience to work with competing demands and maintain high quality work.
  • Able to travel between sites.
  • Able to take part in trust wide on call rota.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience at a senior management level in an acute setting to include the following:
  • Proven record of pro-active management to achieve key performance targets.
  • Demonstrable experience of service re-design/ business planning and change management initiatives.
  • Track record of effective financial management including delivery of efficiency savings, income and expenditure targets.
  • Experience in managing and responding to a range of operational issues.

Skills/ Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to analyse issues and make judgements on a wide range of general management subjects e.g. Finance, HR, quality, environment and external issues.
  • Excellent communications skills including the ability to make effective formal presentations and informal approaches to a wide range of audiences, adapting the style and method of communication as appropriate.
  • Able to form effective working relationships and partnerships across professional groups/ divisional boundaries and maintain personal credibility.
  • Well-developed IT skills to manage and report on complex performance management information.
  • Ability to conduct negotiations with others in the organisation and externally.
  • Ability to quickly grasp new ideas/concepts.
  • Ability to influence and motivate staff to deliver targets.
  • Ability to critically analyse and interpret complex management and patient information and data sets to support decision making and service improvements.
  • Evidence of participation in strategic management processes and their application e.g. financial and workforce planning,
  • Knowledge of the financial flows in the NHS and the impact on service planning.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of employment law and good HR management practice.
  • Knowledge and understanding of national strategies/policy concerning patient care and national plans.
  • Knowledge of the clinical and corporate governance agenda and role of the CQC.
  • Knowledge of the inspection and regulation environment in which the trust operates.

Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate our Trust values and behaviours: -
  • Being open and honest we all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
  • Ensuring people feel cared for we all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
  • Showing respect for everyone we all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives.

Qualifications

Essential

  • First degree or professional academic qualification
  • Relevant Management qualification or equivalent

Desirable

  • Masters degree and / or equivalent experience

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Pragmatic diplomatic management of situations and processes.
  • Displays strong motivation and commitment to success.
  • Ownership of personal development.
  • Resilience to work with competing demands and maintain high quality work.
  • Able to travel between sites.
  • Able to take part in trust wide on call rota.

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

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Divisional Director of Operations - Surgery

Julie Briggs

Julie.briggs2@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9365-26-0016

Job locations

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD


Kidderminster General Hospital

Bewdley Road

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 6RJ


The Alexandra Hospital

Woodrow Drive

Redditch

Worcestershire

B98 7UB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)