Job summary
Are you passionate about NHS operational management, passionate about delivering effective, safe and efficient services and passionate about service improvements? Then, the Surgical Division here at MWL Trust would you like hear from you.
The Directorate Manager post is a high-profile leadership position within the Surgical Division, responsible for operational delivery of an exciting and dynamic portfolio. We are searching for ambitious senior operational and inspiring leader who is highly motivated and driven to facilitate the delivery of the very best patient experience and outcomes to join the well-established operational team within the Surgical Division at MWL.
The role will oversee services across Southport and Ormskirk, but will be working within the Theatre Team.
This recruitment process will include an assessment centre.
Please note the job description and person specification are subject to AfC review.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Head of Operations of Operations for Surgery, the post holder will be responsible for the management of Theatre, anaesthetics, ITU, Pre-Op, Pain services and Admissions.
The portfolio offers a mix of elective and urgent care and is ideal for someone who wishes to deliver improvement and progress their career on a path towards an operational director role. This is an exciting opportunity to join the team in celebrating their successes and supporting in delivering future ones.
Successful applicants will need to demonstrate substantial management expertise in a complex operational environment and have a proven track record of leadership qualities which have achieved measurable outcomes in performance, quality and patient experience.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
- Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.
Advertising date: 25th February 2026
Closing date: 8th March 2026
Shortlisting date: 9th March 2026
Proposed Interview date: TBC
Please note, this post may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.
Advertising date: 25th February 2026
Closing date: 8th March 2026
Shortlisting date: 9th March 2026
Proposed Interview date: TBC
Please note, this post may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to first degree level and/or equivalent professional qualification / experience
Desirable
- Masters degree / relevant experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing a complex operational environment
- Experience of managing at a senior level within healthcare
- Experience of managing a service with competing stakeholders
- Experience of leading and implementing re-design or change management initiatives
- Experience of conducting negotiations
- Experience of undertaking service planning taking into account finance, manpower, contract management, equipment and organisational factors
Desirable
- Knowledge of the current national and regional strategies and the implications for surgical services
- Previous Theatre/clinical experience, with substantial experience at a Senior Managerial level
Skills
Essential
- Ability to listen to others and use critical questioning techniques
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Email
- Leadership skills which demonstrate the empowerment of individuals and the ability to communicate clearly, motivate and regenerate enthusiasm within staff
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to first degree level and/or equivalent professional qualification / experience
Desirable
- Masters degree / relevant experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing a complex operational environment
- Experience of managing at a senior level within healthcare
- Experience of managing a service with competing stakeholders
- Experience of leading and implementing re-design or change management initiatives
- Experience of conducting negotiations
- Experience of undertaking service planning taking into account finance, manpower, contract management, equipment and organisational factors
Desirable
- Knowledge of the current national and regional strategies and the implications for surgical services
- Previous Theatre/clinical experience, with substantial experience at a Senior Managerial level
Skills
Essential
- Ability to listen to others and use critical questioning techniques
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Email
- Leadership skills which demonstrate the empowerment of individuals and the ability to communicate clearly, motivate and regenerate enthusiasm within staff
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Mersey and West Lancashire Hospitals (All Trust Sites)
Warrington Road
Whiston, St Helens, Southport and Ormskirk
L39 2AZ
Employer's website
https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
