Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Operational Lead - Capital Build Projects *Internal Vacancy*

The closing date is 08 April 2026

Job summary

2 Year Secondment | Full Time | Internal applications only

The Medicine Care Group is embarking on a major, multi-year rebuild and expansion of our Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) -- the final stage of our long-awaitedBuild It Better Programme.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Operational Lead to play a pivotal role in driving this next phase of development. Working closely with clinical teams, estates colleagues, operational leaders and external contractors, you will ensure the project is delivered safely, efficiently and in line with our strategic ambitions.

This is a complex programme that requires meticulous planning, strong communication and the ability to balance service continuity with large-scale construction activity. You will provide oversight and assurance on behalf of the Associate Director of Operations for Medicine, ensuring that our existing departments continue to run smoothly while the new facilities take shape.

If you are an organised, forward-thinking operational leader with a passion for improvement and the confidence to navigate a high-profile capital project, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Reporting into the Associate Director of Operations - Medicine some of your responsibilities will include:

  • Work closely with clinical, estates, operational colleagues, well as external contractors to ensure the rebuild project is delivered effectively.
  • Provide a visible operational presence within Estates Planning and ensure smooth coordination between Trust operations and construction activity.
  • Lead major capital projects including refurbishments, redevelopments, and new builds, in line with Trust project management processes.
  • Support development of business cases, including options appraisals and feasibility work.
  • Identify and manage project risks, maintain risk registers, and implement mitigation plans.
  • Build effective project teams and maintain strong communication with all stakeholders.

About us

At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children's Health.

We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.

We're proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children's as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England -- and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire -- in the latest NHS Staff Survey.

Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values -- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence -- to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.

We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts -- helping you thrive at work and beyond.

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

425-26-7810290

Job locations

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TH


Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 4142 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes

Please note: We do not offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 roles.

Diversity Statement

At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.

#LI-Onsite

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 4142 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes

Please note: We do not offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 roles.

Diversity Statement

At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.

#LI-Onsite

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Graduate level education and/or professional qualification
  • Project management qualification

Desirable

  • Postgraduate qualification in relevant field

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial management experience and achievement at operational level, within an NHS Provider organisation
  • Evidence of significant achievement in strategic level projects or complex work-streams.
  • Budget management
  • Evidence of strong and recent commitment to continuing managerial development

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and context
  • Strong analytical and problems solving skills, using evidence to inform decision-making with robust approaches to understanding current state and developing future plans
  • Good understanding of financial management, including income and expenditure
  • Ability to facilitate and manage change effectively, with strong organisational skills and ability to plan/implement effective projects and work-streams
  • Working with people, including effective influencing, enabling others to perform and holding to account, collaborative working within and outside teams
  • Using resources effectively and efficiently, including maximising skills in others
  • Achieving results, including drive for results across a broad ranging set of key outcomes, maintaining service user focus and personal high integrity at all times
  • Significant experience of budgetary and risk management

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Resilient and able to manage a challenging agenda in a positive manner
  • Ability to manage self and exhibit personal skills, including self-awareness, self-management and drive for improvement and be able to lead others effectively
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Graduate level education and/or professional qualification
  • Project management qualification

Desirable

  • Postgraduate qualification in relevant field

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial management experience and achievement at operational level, within an NHS Provider organisation
  • Evidence of significant achievement in strategic level projects or complex work-streams.
  • Budget management
  • Evidence of strong and recent commitment to continuing managerial development

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and context
  • Strong analytical and problems solving skills, using evidence to inform decision-making with robust approaches to understanding current state and developing future plans
  • Good understanding of financial management, including income and expenditure
  • Ability to facilitate and manage change effectively, with strong organisational skills and ability to plan/implement effective projects and work-streams
  • Working with people, including effective influencing, enabling others to perform and holding to account, collaborative working within and outside teams
  • Using resources effectively and efficiently, including maximising skills in others
  • Achieving results, including drive for results across a broad ranging set of key outcomes, maintaining service user focus and personal high integrity at all times
  • Significant experience of budgetary and risk management

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Resilient and able to manage a challenging agenda in a positive manner
  • Ability to manage self and exhibit personal skills, including self-awareness, self-management and drive for improvement and be able to lead others effectively

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

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director of Operations

Rachael Goodman

rachael.goodman@nhs.uk

07442857066

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

425-26-7810290

Job locations

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TH


Supporting documents

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