Job summary
Assistant Director of Operations
Department ADMK
Band 8C £76,965 - £88,682 Per annum pro rata
Hours 30 per week, all roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you a details - driven operations professional with a desire to work with colleague from diverse backgrounds and service related professions? We are looking for an experienced Assistant Director of Operations to help drive performance, innovation, and value across our organisation, at a time of organisational growth and site development.
ADMK is a wholly owned subsidiary of Milton Keynes University Hospital, delivering high-quality facilities services that support frontline NHS care. We operate with the flexibility of a commercial organisation while upholding the values and mission of the NHS.
You will play a key role in shaping our operational and financial strategy. You will lead cross-functional teams, ensure robust financial governance, and drive service excellence in alignment with our strategic goals and NHS values.
What We Are Looking For
Proven leadership experience in operations, ideally within the NHS or a public sector/commercial hybrid.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a purpose-driven organisation supporting NHS excellence.Work in a dynamic, flexible, and collaborative environment.
Ready to make a difference behind the scenes of the NHS? Apply now and help us deliver operational and financial excellence that supports outstanding patient care.
Interview 20 November 2025
Main duties of the job
ADMK Limited is in a transition phase; as it moves from a primary focus of developing and building healthcare facilities, through to now servicing and maintaining those buildings.
The successful candidate will be part of the management team responsible for delivering the strategic direction for the next phase and developing the organisation as it continues to grow. Continuing to support MKUH in its aims to deliver outstanding care to its community.The role is directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organisation, including hotel services.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development and delivery of operational plans and wider medium to longer term strategies.
Oversee integral budgeting, forecasting, and operational performance monitoring.Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and NHS governance frameworks.
Drive continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery.Collaborate with the parent NHS Trust and other stakeholders to align objectives.
Support business case development and commercial decision-making.
About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At ADMK we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
Free on-site parking
Free tea and coffee
Great flexible working opportunities
Generous annual leave
Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients The hospital is undergoing significant investment and development including a new surgical ward.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational responsibilities
To help develop and present required business cases to support the development of the ADMK as the service develops. (This will be both for capital and revenue funds) and will be in liaison with ADMK and MKUH Finance teams.
To provide regular reports as requested by the ADMK Managing Director and Board reports as required
Service Development
To support the Managing Director in the development of long-term strategic objectives both for preventative maintenance and asset protection, capital and project programmes and the back-log programme and oversee execution of these plans. Ensure that the patients are at the forefront of all strategic plans with respect to patient safety.
To report on in conjunction with the building manager fire systems and associated certification in line with the requirements of the fire strategy and both current legislations and HTMs.
Operations
Responsible for preparing the annual planned maintenance plans and rotas to be agreed as part of business planning, along with proposals for the supporting resource, both financial and resource.
Responsible for supporting the development of project plans and/or business cases
Contract Management
Responsible for leading on the negotiation and performance management of significant external contracts relating to services, with the support of finance and contract management colleagues
Information Management
Work with senior managers with in depth review and investigation of incidents, undertaking analysis and being conversant with any emerging trends or changes in incident profile of the organisation, in order to adopt any learning to mitigate future risk;
Ensure that action points from incident reviews are followed up as required and that incidents are closed on Datix when fully complete, updating and interrogating the Risk Management Information System (Datix) as required;
Human Resources
Responsible for the management of a team, consisting of various technical experts working across the estate and ensure that all teams meet their set objectives and that staff have opportunities to fulfil their potential through training and development. The objective is also to bring a more collaborative working arrangement between acute and community work teams as well as PFI, other partners and staff maintaining the retained estate.
Provide strong individual and professional leadership through advice and guidance, supporting staff, colleagues and partners, through a visionary, motivational and problem solving approach, subject to financial constraints and ADMK Human Resources policies and procedures;
General
The post holder may be required to work at any of the ADMKs sites in line with the service needs.
The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the ADMKs Equal Opportunities Policy.
Finance responsibilities
To help support the finance functions and teams by ensuring they have accurate operational information.
Support the annual audit exercise as required.
Corporate responsibilities
Ensure compliance with all corporate governance and statutory requirements.
Uphold the values of the parent organisation with regards to equality and diversity.
Personal responsibilities
Take responsibility for self development on a continuous basis.
Participate in and undertake Annual Performance Reviews.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Please note that this post is subject to an initial probationary period of six months, extendable up to a period of 12 months. A DBS check may be required for new employees. MKUH promotes an inclusive workforce and are committed to equal opportunities, we proactively welcome applications from underrepresented groups in our community. Thank you for your interest in our Hospital. We reserve the right to close posts early if we receive a sufficient volume of applications. Milton Keynes is the fastest growing and most successful city in the country (visit http://www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk/) for which we provide Emergency Medicine (including Paediatrics) from minor injury to major trauma, Critical Care, Cancer Services, General Surgery & Medicine, Womens & Children Services (including Maternity, Paediatrics & Neonatal) and Renal Services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational responsibilities
To help develop and present required business cases to support the development of the ADMK as the service develops. (This will be both for capital and revenue funds) and will be in liaison with ADMK and MKUH Finance teams.
To provide regular reports as requested by the ADMK Managing Director and Board reports as required
Service Development
To support the Managing Director in the development of long-term strategic objectives both for preventative maintenance and asset protection, capital and project programmes and the back-log programme and oversee execution of these plans. Ensure that the patients are at the forefront of all strategic plans with respect to patient safety.
To report on in conjunction with the building manager fire systems and associated certification in line with the requirements of the fire strategy and both current legislations and HTMs.
Operations
Responsible for preparing the annual planned maintenance plans and rotas to be agreed as part of business planning, along with proposals for the supporting resource, both financial and resource.
Responsible for supporting the development of project plans and/or business cases
Contract Management
Responsible for leading on the negotiation and performance management of significant external contracts relating to services, with the support of finance and contract management colleagues
Information Management
Work with senior managers with in depth review and investigation of incidents, undertaking analysis and being conversant with any emerging trends or changes in incident profile of the organisation, in order to adopt any learning to mitigate future risk;
Ensure that action points from incident reviews are followed up as required and that incidents are closed on Datix when fully complete, updating and interrogating the Risk Management Information System (Datix) as required;
Human Resources
Responsible for the management of a team, consisting of various technical experts working across the estate and ensure that all teams meet their set objectives and that staff have opportunities to fulfil their potential through training and development. The objective is also to bring a more collaborative working arrangement between acute and community work teams as well as PFI, other partners and staff maintaining the retained estate.
Provide strong individual and professional leadership through advice and guidance, supporting staff, colleagues and partners, through a visionary, motivational and problem solving approach, subject to financial constraints and ADMK Human Resources policies and procedures;
General
The post holder may be required to work at any of the ADMKs sites in line with the service needs.
The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the ADMKs Equal Opportunities Policy.
Finance responsibilities
To help support the finance functions and teams by ensuring they have accurate operational information.
Support the annual audit exercise as required.
Corporate responsibilities
Ensure compliance with all corporate governance and statutory requirements.
Uphold the values of the parent organisation with regards to equality and diversity.
Personal responsibilities
Take responsibility for self development on a continuous basis.
Participate in and undertake Annual Performance Reviews.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Please note that this post is subject to an initial probationary period of six months, extendable up to a period of 12 months. A DBS check may be required for new employees. MKUH promotes an inclusive workforce and are committed to equal opportunities, we proactively welcome applications from underrepresented groups in our community. Thank you for your interest in our Hospital. We reserve the right to close posts early if we receive a sufficient volume of applications. Milton Keynes is the fastest growing and most successful city in the country (visit http://www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk/) for which we provide Emergency Medicine (including Paediatrics) from minor injury to major trauma, Critical Care, Cancer Services, General Surgery & Medicine, Womens & Children Services (including Maternity, Paediatrics & Neonatal) and Renal Services.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree level of equivalent in a relevant subject area
Desirable
- Formal Health & Safety qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of operating in a senior management role and delivering a service in a complex environment.
- Sound understanding budget management, forecasting, day to day operational reporting.
- Business case preparation and presentation
- Management of diverse teams
Desirable
- Previous experience of developing and implementing both commercial and operational strategies
- Demonstrable experience of delivering change and performance with and through teams by engaging them in the strategic direction and delivery of plans
- Experience of managing an operational budget
- Substantial staff management experience which will include managing directly employed staff and external contractors.
- Knowledge of NHS guidance regarding buildings and guest services
- Knowledge of service audit processes
- Development of performance measures and balanced scorecards
- Management of projects involving multiple stakeholders
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and be confident in managing any change issues
- Ability to work under pressure on own initiative to meet deadlines and short notice periods.
Desirable
- Ability to maximise the use of available department resources in achievement of set objectives
Personal and people development
Essential
- Maintains own CPD
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Communication
Essential
- Effective - verbal, written, negotiation and presentation skills
- Excellent listening skills
- Excellent partnership and relationship management skills
- Committee and sub board level report writing
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Physical ability to access plant and equipment by ladders, on roofs and in some restrictive plant areas
- Self-starter, capable of working on own initiative and to a personal agenda
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree level of equivalent in a relevant subject area
Desirable
- Formal Health & Safety qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of operating in a senior management role and delivering a service in a complex environment.
- Sound understanding budget management, forecasting, day to day operational reporting.
- Business case preparation and presentation
- Management of diverse teams
Desirable
- Previous experience of developing and implementing both commercial and operational strategies
- Demonstrable experience of delivering change and performance with and through teams by engaging them in the strategic direction and delivery of plans
- Experience of managing an operational budget
- Substantial staff management experience which will include managing directly employed staff and external contractors.
- Knowledge of NHS guidance regarding buildings and guest services
- Knowledge of service audit processes
- Development of performance measures and balanced scorecards
- Management of projects involving multiple stakeholders
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and be confident in managing any change issues
- Ability to work under pressure on own initiative to meet deadlines and short notice periods.
Desirable
- Ability to maximise the use of available department resources in achievement of set objectives
Personal and people development
Essential
- Maintains own CPD
- Commitment to continuous improvement
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Communication
Essential
- Effective - verbal, written, negotiation and presentation skills
- Excellent listening skills
- Excellent partnership and relationship management skills
- Committee and sub board level report writing
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Physical ability to access plant and equipment by ladders, on roofs and in some restrictive plant areas
- Self-starter, capable of working on own initiative and to a personal agenda
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.