Job summary
Deputy Associate Director of Operations
Department: Core Clinical
Band 8c, £79,504 - £91,609 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven experienced operational manager to join our Core Clinical Division in the role of Deputy Associate Director of Operations. Working with an engaged team of dedicated healthcare professionals including the Clinical Director, Clinical Leads and Heads of Service, you will support and develop services, focusing on Performance data and delivery of Key Performance Indicators, all whilst maintaining financial performance. You will be responsible for the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality care to our patients as well as progressing the portfolio of services within a business focus environment. The role also has line management responsibility for our Bowel Cancer and Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes, alongside working with our Cancer Services teams. You will ideally have NHS experience and possess a strong track record of operational delivery, strong financial management and skills, coupled with effective leadership skills. You will also have the ability to develop strong, productive and collaborative relationships both internally and with key stakeholders.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Interview date: w/c 11 May 2026
Main duties of the job
Together with other posts in the Divisional "Triumvirate": Sets and delivers a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU (Clinical Service Unit) strategy and vision that enables the delivery of the Trust objectives, whilst improving the service for patients. Together they influence the Trust's future. The postholder will work autonomously, interpreting policies and practices, advising the Triumvirate on how to apply these in practice across the division.
Establish excellent relationships with the internal and external staff groups and stakeholders to facilitate robust service delivery, successful development of clinical services utilising best practice methodologies.
Establish effective relationships with clinical staff and other stakeholders to assist with ensuring financial targets and cost improvement programmes are delivered to agreed budgets.
Work with other service/directorate leaders in the achievement of corporate objectives.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
NHS Staff Survey: 73.4%of our staff feel they receive the respect they deserve from colleagues a meaningful improvement from last year. At MKUH, mutual respect isn't just a value its a daily reality.
Creating A Vision
Together with other members of the Divisional Triumvirate set, deliver and clearly communicate to staff a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision that enables delivery of the Trust strategy.
Delivering the Trusts Strategy
Contributing to the implementation of the Trusts vision and strategy at Management Board level through the development of the Divisional strategies.
Human Resource Management
Management responsibility for recruitment, retention, disciplinary and grievance, and all staffing issues within the directorate/services.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
NHS Staff Survey: 73.4%of our staff feel they receive the respect they deserve from colleagues a meaningful improvement from last year. At MKUH, mutual respect isn't just a value its a daily reality.
Creating A Vision
Together with other members of the Divisional Triumvirate set, deliver and clearly communicate to staff a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision that enables delivery of the Trust strategy.
Delivering the Trusts Strategy
Contributing to the implementation of the Trusts vision and strategy at Management Board level through the development of the Divisional strategies.
Human Resource Management
Management responsibility for recruitment, retention, disciplinary and grievance, and all staffing issues within the directorate/services.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Masters Degree or management knowledge acquired through training and experience equivalent to masters level
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE II
Experience
Essential
- Significant specialist experience in an operational management post in the NHS
- Proven and demonstrable track record of meeting national targets
- Knowledge and understanding of the duties imposed one the Trust by legislation, NHS policy and priorities and the requirement of corporate governance
- A clear understanding of the modernization agenda, the opportunities for redesigning services and the tools and techniques for achieving service change
- Senior experience of developing demand forecasting and continuous business planning and programme / project management programmes resulting in positive value for money outcomes.
- Proven success in man aging operational change, whilst maintaining high standards of quality
- Must have significant experience in managing staff. Show evidence of good financial and staff management
- NHS experience in a senior manager role with significant experience of dealing with complex issues
- Demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects
- Proven success in business planning and in the development and implementation of complex strategic plans
- Proven ability to be a transformational leader.
- Financial management experience, managing budget and business cases, identifying cost improvement plans and transformation projects
Desirable
- Analysis and data manipulation and interpretation of complex data sets
Skills/ Communication
Essential
- Evidence of highly developed leadership skills proven to be a role model, a networker, a strategist and a motivator
- Strong leadership, interpersonal skills and authority; to be able to successfully foster and manage inter-relationships between own division & other directorates.
- Ability to create a common purpose and install organisational values and behaviours that promote the cooperate vision.
- Influential and credible communicator with excellent networking and negotiating skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- High level of interpersonal and organisational skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines
- Ability to communicate highly complex, and sometimes sensitive information to a broad range of audiences.
- Ability to influence Senior NHS staff, managers, and executives.
- Strong organisational ability and well developed resource and staff management skills; able to forecast, plan, develop and manage capability with business plans.
- Demonstrate sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more Directors when appropriate
- Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and make difficult decisions.
- Excellent keyboard user with the ability to manipulate using Power Point, Excel and use of Microsoft Teams/
- A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets
Personal and people development
Essential
- Self-assured, self aware and emotional intelligence
- The ability to be flexible in attitude, to use initiative and work well within a team.
- Demonstrate commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.
- Work across boundaries, look for the collective success, listen, involve, respect and learn from the contribution of others.
- Demonstrate commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations.
- Actively develops themselves and others, is self motivated and enthusiastic.
- Possesses personal resilience and the ability to provide emotional support.
- Able to present a highly professional image , with integrity and credibility.
- Experience of managing and developing others
- Evidence of creative and inspirational approach to problem solving
- Evidence of ability to be a credible leader
- Able to motivate self and team
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Masters Degree or management knowledge acquired through training and experience equivalent to masters level
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE II
Experience
Essential
- Significant specialist experience in an operational management post in the NHS
- Proven and demonstrable track record of meeting national targets
- Knowledge and understanding of the duties imposed one the Trust by legislation, NHS policy and priorities and the requirement of corporate governance
- A clear understanding of the modernization agenda, the opportunities for redesigning services and the tools and techniques for achieving service change
- Senior experience of developing demand forecasting and continuous business planning and programme / project management programmes resulting in positive value for money outcomes.
- Proven success in man aging operational change, whilst maintaining high standards of quality
- Must have significant experience in managing staff. Show evidence of good financial and staff management
- NHS experience in a senior manager role with significant experience of dealing with complex issues
- Demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects
- Proven success in business planning and in the development and implementation of complex strategic plans
- Proven ability to be a transformational leader.
- Financial management experience, managing budget and business cases, identifying cost improvement plans and transformation projects
Desirable
- Analysis and data manipulation and interpretation of complex data sets
Skills/ Communication
Essential
- Evidence of highly developed leadership skills proven to be a role model, a networker, a strategist and a motivator
- Strong leadership, interpersonal skills and authority; to be able to successfully foster and manage inter-relationships between own division & other directorates.
- Ability to create a common purpose and install organisational values and behaviours that promote the cooperate vision.
- Influential and credible communicator with excellent networking and negotiating skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- High level of interpersonal and organisational skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines
- Ability to communicate highly complex, and sometimes sensitive information to a broad range of audiences.
- Ability to influence Senior NHS staff, managers, and executives.
- Strong organisational ability and well developed resource and staff management skills; able to forecast, plan, develop and manage capability with business plans.
- Demonstrate sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more Directors when appropriate
- Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and make difficult decisions.
- Excellent keyboard user with the ability to manipulate using Power Point, Excel and use of Microsoft Teams/
- A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets
Personal and people development
Essential
- Self-assured, self aware and emotional intelligence
- The ability to be flexible in attitude, to use initiative and work well within a team.
- Demonstrate commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.
- Work across boundaries, look for the collective success, listen, involve, respect and learn from the contribution of others.
- Demonstrate commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations.
- Actively develops themselves and others, is self motivated and enthusiastic.
- Possesses personal resilience and the ability to provide emotional support.
- Able to present a highly professional image , with integrity and credibility.
- Experience of managing and developing others
- Evidence of creative and inspirational approach to problem solving
- Evidence of ability to be a credible leader
- Able to motivate self and team
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.
