Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Divisional Director of Operations - Medicine

The closing date is 01 April 2026

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking individual to join our Senior Leadership Team as Divisional Director of Operations within our Medicine Division.

In this pivotal role, you will provide strategic direction and operational oversight across all aspects of the division. You will bring outstanding facilitation skills, uniting diverse disciplines, perspectives, and backgrounds to ensure every voice is heard and always with a clear focus on our patients, their families, and our staff.

You will demonstrate excellence in operational and relationship management, with the ability to analyse complex information and navigate challenging situations with confidence and clarity. A proven track record of building, developing, and empowering high-performing teams is essential.

Above all, you will be passionate about improving patient outcomes. You will bring a flexible, inclusive approach to decision-making, driving efficiency and continuous improvement to ensure the very best standards of patient care.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Director of Operations you will lead, develop and be responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of the day to day operational performance of the Division ensuring sustainable delivery of high quality patient care, safety processes, operational standards and quality/service improvement programmes.

You will work closely with the Director of Operations in monitoring performance against objectives and in ensuring high standards of governance are adhered to.

About us

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£112,782 to £129,783 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

410-MED-7880972

Job locations

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Reporting to the site Director of Operations the post holder will be the designated accountable officer for the Division, working closely with the Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Nursing in providing strategic direction and drive performance and planning with the Division. The postholder will work with other Divisions, Hospital Leadership Teams, Executive / Corporate Directors and external partners in order to achieve Trust objectives and make a positive contribution to the provision of health services across the local economy.

The DDO will be responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of the day to day operational performance of the Division ensuring sustainable delivery of high quality patient care, safety processes, operational standards and quality/ service improvement programmes. The post holder will work closely with the site Director of Operations in monitoring performance against objectives and in ensuring high standards of corporate governance are adhered to.

The postholder will provide operational leadership and line management to Care Group Heads of Operations to ensure consistent and high quality services are delivered across their respective area of responsibility.

The post holder will provide support the development of an open and engaging culture for patients and staff that encourages excellence in clinical practice, facilitates team working and multi professional care delivery. They will also ensure teams adhere to Trust values and behaviours.

The responsibility for the achievement of all targets and objectives across the division rests with this role.

Service Delivery and Performance Management

Delivery of all national and local performance standards through the establishment of divisional performance objectives and appropriate infrastructure to support the level of performance required and ensure regulatory requirements are achieved.

Lead Heads of Operations and Matrons to ensure excellent and reliable patient care is delivered through continuous improvement in quality of care and monitoring of high standards of service delivery.

Ensure Divisional teams utilise performance information to facilitate the monitoring of performance and develop recovery to improve efficiency and quality.

Develop an effective and transparent performance management framework which ensures clear accountability for delivery across Care Groups, prompt recovery of under-performance and recognising success.

Budget responsibility for the Division ensuring that the Division meets financial targets and delivers agreed cost improvement programmes with the Trusts corporate financial obligations.

Participate in the Trusts Tactical on call arrangements out of hours ensuring that internal and external escalation procedures are clear and followed at all times.

Provide regular performance and exception reports to the Hospital Leadership Team (HLT), Executive Lead and Trust Board & Committees.

Lead on projects which may be necessary to deliver operational performance and/or cost and service improvement plans.

To develop policies and procedures and maintain awareness of relevant regulatory and government policies in relation to all aspects of the organisation.

Planning and Commissioning

Play a key role in engaging staff in the development and implementation of service reconfigurations, particularly in relation to proposed changes ensuring benefits identified are realised.

Lead on the Divisions Quality Improvement / Transformation programme in collaboration with the Trusts Quality Improvement / Value & Transformation teams. This will include identifying, developing and delivering appropriate service improvements / reconfigurations in line with the Trust Improvement Plan.

Lead on the Divisional contribution to the annual planning process, ensuring realistic and achievable plans are developed in order to deliver Divisional and Trust objectives.

Ensure that operational plans are based on an understanding of expected demand and required capacity to meet short and medium term objectives. Ensure that these plans include long term and innovative workforce planning to ensure the ongoing sustainability of clinical services.

In conjunction with the contracts team, contribute towards the contracting process with commissioners to ensure that clinical and operational priorities are considered.

Contribute towards the planning and implementation of the Trusts Estates Strategy and capital programme.

Lead the Division with external developments and service reconfigurations.

In collaboration with the Site Director of Operations and Site Director of Finance, oversee and support the production and assessment of plans and business cases for approval by the HLT.

Work with all health and social partners in demand and capacity planning (including winter planning) and in developing/changing services accordingly to meet future needs.

Leadership

Develop and sustain an organisational culture that supports distributed leadership for the delivery of high quality services and budgetary/cost efficiency targets and empowers local decision making.

Lead and promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and high performance though the development of a shared vision and teamwork.

Develop effective relationships to ensure the clinical and operational teams have an opportunity to influence the management, planning of and development of services within the Division.

Develop effective partnerships with other Divisions, corporate functions, health and social care partners and patients in the planning, improvement and evaluation of services.

The post holder will possess exceptional communication skills and by the use of presentations and other engagement techniques negotiate and embed successful relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Engage with HEIs and similar bodies to identify opportunities for R&D in partnership and coordinate such activity within their area of responsibility.

To contribute fully to the Trusts overall strategy and promote strong partnerships internally and within the broader health community.

Management

Lead and manage the Divisional operational team to deliver the Divisional and Trust priorities. This includes ensuring the clear setting of objectives, ensuring appraisals are undertaken and personal development plans are in place.

Develop workforce plans for the Division ensuring that professional and non- professional workforce requirements are planned to ensure that the Division has the right people in the right place at the right time.

Fully encourage and participate in organisational and management development activities designed to enhance Trust, Divisional, team and individual capacity and capability.

Corporate Governance

Support the Site Director of Operations in ensuring that the Trust meets all statutory and regulatory requirements.

Adhere to all Trust HRM policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and regulation.

Ensure operational delivery and performance is achieved within the Trusts Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions and Scheme of Delegation.

Ensure an effective management structure is in place across the Division and that all staff have clear roles, responsibilities and understand priorities and expectations.

Adhere to the standards set out in the NHS Code of Conduct for Managers and at all times act in a manner consistent with the values of the Trust.

Participate in the Tactical On Call Rota.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Reporting to the site Director of Operations the post holder will be the designated accountable officer for the Division, working closely with the Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Nursing in providing strategic direction and drive performance and planning with the Division. The postholder will work with other Divisions, Hospital Leadership Teams, Executive / Corporate Directors and external partners in order to achieve Trust objectives and make a positive contribution to the provision of health services across the local economy.

The DDO will be responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of the day to day operational performance of the Division ensuring sustainable delivery of high quality patient care, safety processes, operational standards and quality/ service improvement programmes. The post holder will work closely with the site Director of Operations in monitoring performance against objectives and in ensuring high standards of corporate governance are adhered to.

The postholder will provide operational leadership and line management to Care Group Heads of Operations to ensure consistent and high quality services are delivered across their respective area of responsibility.

The post holder will provide support the development of an open and engaging culture for patients and staff that encourages excellence in clinical practice, facilitates team working and multi professional care delivery. They will also ensure teams adhere to Trust values and behaviours.

The responsibility for the achievement of all targets and objectives across the division rests with this role.

Service Delivery and Performance Management

Delivery of all national and local performance standards through the establishment of divisional performance objectives and appropriate infrastructure to support the level of performance required and ensure regulatory requirements are achieved.

Lead Heads of Operations and Matrons to ensure excellent and reliable patient care is delivered through continuous improvement in quality of care and monitoring of high standards of service delivery.

Ensure Divisional teams utilise performance information to facilitate the monitoring of performance and develop recovery to improve efficiency and quality.

Develop an effective and transparent performance management framework which ensures clear accountability for delivery across Care Groups, prompt recovery of under-performance and recognising success.

Budget responsibility for the Division ensuring that the Division meets financial targets and delivers agreed cost improvement programmes with the Trusts corporate financial obligations.

Participate in the Trusts Tactical on call arrangements out of hours ensuring that internal and external escalation procedures are clear and followed at all times.

Provide regular performance and exception reports to the Hospital Leadership Team (HLT), Executive Lead and Trust Board & Committees.

Lead on projects which may be necessary to deliver operational performance and/or cost and service improvement plans.

To develop policies and procedures and maintain awareness of relevant regulatory and government policies in relation to all aspects of the organisation.

Planning and Commissioning

Play a key role in engaging staff in the development and implementation of service reconfigurations, particularly in relation to proposed changes ensuring benefits identified are realised.

Lead on the Divisions Quality Improvement / Transformation programme in collaboration with the Trusts Quality Improvement / Value & Transformation teams. This will include identifying, developing and delivering appropriate service improvements / reconfigurations in line with the Trust Improvement Plan.

Lead on the Divisional contribution to the annual planning process, ensuring realistic and achievable plans are developed in order to deliver Divisional and Trust objectives.

Ensure that operational plans are based on an understanding of expected demand and required capacity to meet short and medium term objectives. Ensure that these plans include long term and innovative workforce planning to ensure the ongoing sustainability of clinical services.

In conjunction with the contracts team, contribute towards the contracting process with commissioners to ensure that clinical and operational priorities are considered.

Contribute towards the planning and implementation of the Trusts Estates Strategy and capital programme.

Lead the Division with external developments and service reconfigurations.

In collaboration with the Site Director of Operations and Site Director of Finance, oversee and support the production and assessment of plans and business cases for approval by the HLT.

Work with all health and social partners in demand and capacity planning (including winter planning) and in developing/changing services accordingly to meet future needs.

Leadership

Develop and sustain an organisational culture that supports distributed leadership for the delivery of high quality services and budgetary/cost efficiency targets and empowers local decision making.

Lead and promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and high performance though the development of a shared vision and teamwork.

Develop effective relationships to ensure the clinical and operational teams have an opportunity to influence the management, planning of and development of services within the Division.

Develop effective partnerships with other Divisions, corporate functions, health and social care partners and patients in the planning, improvement and evaluation of services.

The post holder will possess exceptional communication skills and by the use of presentations and other engagement techniques negotiate and embed successful relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Engage with HEIs and similar bodies to identify opportunities for R&D in partnership and coordinate such activity within their area of responsibility.

To contribute fully to the Trusts overall strategy and promote strong partnerships internally and within the broader health community.

Management

Lead and manage the Divisional operational team to deliver the Divisional and Trust priorities. This includes ensuring the clear setting of objectives, ensuring appraisals are undertaken and personal development plans are in place.

Develop workforce plans for the Division ensuring that professional and non- professional workforce requirements are planned to ensure that the Division has the right people in the right place at the right time.

Fully encourage and participate in organisational and management development activities designed to enhance Trust, Divisional, team and individual capacity and capability.

Corporate Governance

Support the Site Director of Operations in ensuring that the Trust meets all statutory and regulatory requirements.

Adhere to all Trust HRM policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and regulation.

Ensure operational delivery and performance is achieved within the Trusts Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions and Scheme of Delegation.

Ensure an effective management structure is in place across the Division and that all staff have clear roles, responsibilities and understand priorities and expectations.

Adhere to the standards set out in the NHS Code of Conduct for Managers and at all times act in a manner consistent with the values of the Trust.

Participate in the Tactical On Call Rota.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level
  • Masters degree or equivalent qualification in leadership or management

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience in a senior management role within an Acute Hospital setting
  • Extensive resource management experience within an operational environment including clinical service provision, finance, HR, change management & service improvements
  • Experience of developing business plans which support / deliver corporate and divisional objectives
  • Proven track record/performance management of services and delivery
  • Experience of developing teams, using appraisal and accountability frameworks to support this
  • Professional specialist knowledge covering more than one relevant discipline including clinical services, finance and HR gained significant proven experience
  • Thorough understanding of operational services
  • Knowledge of key performance indicators and compliance
  • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the NHS and the modernisation agenda particularly in relation to Quality Improvement projects

Skills and Qualities

Essential

  • Successful management of change within a large complex health care setting
  • Well developed leadership and motivational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Patient focused approach
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills
  • Political awareness
  • Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate at all levels.
  • Ability to prioritise own and others' workloads effectively to meet tight deadlines whilst managing conflicting priorities
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
  • Capacity to build and develop teams and maintain positive working relationships at all levels
  • Excellent report writing skills
  • Judgement and analytical skill
  • Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level
  • Masters degree or equivalent qualification in leadership or management

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience in a senior management role within an Acute Hospital setting
  • Extensive resource management experience within an operational environment including clinical service provision, finance, HR, change management & service improvements
  • Experience of developing business plans which support / deliver corporate and divisional objectives
  • Proven track record/performance management of services and delivery
  • Experience of developing teams, using appraisal and accountability frameworks to support this
  • Professional specialist knowledge covering more than one relevant discipline including clinical services, finance and HR gained significant proven experience
  • Thorough understanding of operational services
  • Knowledge of key performance indicators and compliance
  • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the NHS and the modernisation agenda particularly in relation to Quality Improvement projects

Skills and Qualities

Essential

  • Successful management of change within a large complex health care setting
  • Well developed leadership and motivational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Patient focused approach
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills
  • Political awareness
  • Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate at all levels.
  • Ability to prioritise own and others' workloads effectively to meet tight deadlines whilst managing conflicting priorities
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
  • Capacity to build and develop teams and maintain positive working relationships at all levels
  • Excellent report writing skills
  • Judgement and analytical skill
  • Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Executive Assistant- Director of Operations

Jennifer Ohlsson-Morgan

Jennifer.ohlsson-morgan@lhch.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£112,782 to £129,783 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

410-MED-7880972

Job locations

Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust and Broadgreen Hospital

Liverpool

L143PE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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