Overview
We are seeking an ambitious, collaborative and experienced operational leader to join the Senior Leadership Team within our Surgical Division, providing leadership across a diverse portfolio of services including Audiology, Head & Neck (ENT, Oral Surgery, Ophthalmology and Orthodontics) and Urology. As General Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across your portfolio, working in partnership with Clinical Directors, Lead Nurses, Matrons and multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, effective and high‑quality services. You will be accountable for the operational, performance and financial management of your specialties, ensuring that divisional priorities are translated into clear plans, measurable outcomes and sustained delivery.A key focus of this role will be providing leadership and oversight of elective recovery and RTT improvement across the portfolio. You will work collaboratively with specialty teams to ensure robust recovery plans are developed, delivered and regularly reviewed, with clear trajectories, governance arrangements and accountability for delivery. Using data and operational insight, you will oversee performance, identify risks and opportunities, provide constructive support and challenge, and ensure services remain focused on delivering sustainable improvements in access, productivity and patient outcomes.Alongside elective recovery, you will oversee programmes focused on service redesign, productivity and financial sustainability, ensuring operational priorities remain aligned with the division’s longer‑term strategic ambitions. This role requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational leadership, establish clear expectations, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and build strong relationships that enable teams to deliver ambitious objectives.You will be confident leading through influence, using data to inform decision‑making and creating an environment where improvement is owned collectively and delivery is consistently achieved. Success in this role will be measured not only by improved operational performance, but by your ability to build high‑performing teams, strengthen clinical partnerships and deliver sustainable improvements that enhance patient care, improve staff experience and leave services in a stronger position for the future.Responsibilities
Provide strategic and operational leadership across the portfolio, working closely with Clinical Directors, Lead Nurses, Matrons and multidisciplinary teams.Lead the development of service improvement and business plans aligned with divisional goals.Introduce innovative management strategies to optimise efficiency across services.Collaborate with community, social care and academic partners to support broader healthcare objectives.Track and report performance against national and local targets, driving continuous improvement.Ensure that departments within your portfolio meet key service and quality standards.Lead weekly PTL meetings and support escalations to ensure smooth operations.Oversee budgets, ensuring financial targets are met and income is optimised.Contribute to cost improvement initiatives and business case development for service reconfigurations.Ensure the workforce is effectively planned and resourced with the right skills, recruiting, appraising and developing staff.Lead, motivate and develop teams to support continuous performance improvement.Regularly engage with clinical teams, staff and senior management to ensure transparency and align objectives.Address sensitive issues, manage complaints and ensure effective communication throughout the team.Assess and describe the impact of key NHS national and local changes on services.Maintain knowledge of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy.Qualifications and Experience
Proven experience in a senior operational or managerial role within healthcare.Strong understanding of financial management, performance targets and budget oversight.Ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.Excellent communication skills and experience working in multidisciplinary teams.Education to degree level or equivalent qualification.Studying for or plans to study a management qualification.Operational management experience in an acute NHS organisation.Evidence of continuing professional development, including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes.Higher professional or management degree (master’s level) or equivalent knowledge acquired by experience.Project Management or quality improvement qualification.Good experience of managing several complex NHS services, preferably within the acute sector.Demonstrable senior management experience with responsibility for operational delivery, clinical quality, people management, budget responsibility and successful delivery of performance targets within strict financial controls.Experience of using numerical analysis in problem solving.Experience of budgetary management and business planning, including preparation of business cases.Understanding of principles of budgetary management.Experience of managing elective waiting times (RTT, PTL, diagnostic, etc.).Experience working or managing within medical or surgical specialty services.Experience leading capital development or service development projects.Understanding of medical staffing and rota issues.Knowledge and/or experience of working closely with integrated care partners and integrated services.Additional Information
With a new hospital planned for Watford, ongoing updates to theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. We offer a variety of flexible working options.For more information about flexible working, visit https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
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