{ “@context”: “http://schema.org”, “@type”: “JobPosting”, “title”: “Divisional Director of Operations (DDO)”, “description”: “
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Worthing, UK
Salary: £112,782 – £129,783 per annum
Closing date: 07/06/2026 23:59
Divisional Director of Operations (Medicine & Surgery Division)
Following the launch of our new target operating model and restructuring of our clinical divisions, we are seeking a Divisional Director of Operations for our Medicine Division and our Surgery Division. The DDO is a key role within the organisation and is responsible for operational management and leadership of a complex division in one of England’s largest acute hospital Trusts. A visionary leader who demonstrates an inclusive and engaging leadership style, you will balance operational delivery with quality and financial performance.
Main duties
- Day‑to‑day operational management ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery of services.
- Collaborate with the Divisional Managing Director, Medical Director and Nursing Director to achieve divisional and Trust objectives.
- Lead performance management, service delivery and operational improvement, supporting the development and implementation of operational strategic plans.
- Develop and implement the division’s strategy and business plan to support the Trust Annual Plan.
- Shape the Trust’s strategy and business plans, supporting overall implementation, enabling good cross‑divisional working and contributing to major strategic developments.
- Set clear objectives and performance standards for all services within the division, ensuring alignment with Trust‑wide goals and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and evaluate service delivery using KPIs, clinical outcomes and patient feedback, taking proactive steps to address underperformance, risks or emerging issues.
- Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering teams to take ownership of their areas and encouraging innovation in service delivery.
- Ensure compliance with national and local standards, maintaining high levels of patient safety, quality and efficiency.
- Design robust operational frameworks that define processes, roles and responsibilities across the division, supporting effective decision‑making and resource allocation.
- Oversee the allocation and management of financial, human and physical resources, ensuring optimal use to deliver high‑quality care within budgetary constraints.
Person specification
Knowledge and Skills
- Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/experience.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional level in any relevant discipline.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Relevant specialist knowledge (Lean, continuous improvement, pathway redesign, digital improvement).
- Expert level knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and NHS England assurance frameworks.
- Good understanding of employment law, workforce policy, equality, diversity and inclusion obligations, information governance and data protection.
- Project management (e.g., Prince2).
Experience
- Extensive senior management experience in healthcare.
- Experience of managing multiple specialties.
- Demonstrable evidence of achievement in operational management roles.
- Experience of project and change management.
- Sound knowledge of NHS structure and targets.
- Demonstrable evidence of success in managing large teams and budgets.
- Experience in multi‑agency planning and service delivery.
Communication Skills
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information.
- Skilled in negotiation and influencing.
- Ability to present to large groups and write Board‑level reports.
People Management and Development
- Highly developed leadership skills.
- Experience of successful management teams and individuals.
- Experience of implementing people management processes.
- Coaching or mentoring qualification.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
- Highly developed numeric and analytical skills.
- Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of information.
- Ability to make sound judgements and decisions.
Planning and Organising Skills
- Strategic thinking; ability to plan over various timescales and adjust resources accordingly.
Freedom to Act
- Ability to make autonomous decisions on complex issues, often under pressure.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Evidence of undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
- Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles, where appropriate.
UHSussex is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from all backgrounds are welcome.
#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-20”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__437367312__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=625” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Worthing” } } }Company: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Worthing
Job Description:
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Worthing, UK
Salary: £112,782 – £129,783 per annum
Closing date: 07/06/2026 23:59
Divisional Director of Operations (Medicine & Surgery Division)
Following the launch of our new target operating model and restructuring of our clinical divisions, we are seeking a Divisional Director of Operations for our Medicine Division and our Surgery Division. The DDO is a key role within the organisation and is responsible for operational management and leadership of a complex division in one of England’s largest acute hospital Trusts. A visionary leader who demonstrates an inclusive and engaging leadership style, you will balance operational delivery with quality and financial performance.
Main duties
- Day‑to‑day operational management ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery of services.
- Collaborate with the Divisional Managing Director, Medical Director and Nursing Director to achieve divisional and Trust objectives.
- Lead performance management, service delivery and operational improvement, supporting the development and implementation of operational strategic plans.
- Develop and implement the division’s strategy and business plan to support the Trust Annual Plan.
- Shape the Trust’s strategy and business plans, supporting overall implementation, enabling good cross‑divisional working and contributing to major strategic developments.
- Set clear objectives and performance standards for all services within the division, ensuring alignment with Trust‑wide goals and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and evaluate service delivery using KPIs, clinical outcomes and patient feedback, taking proactive steps to address underperformance, risks or emerging issues.
- Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering teams to take ownership of their areas and encouraging innovation in service delivery.
- Ensure compliance with national and local standards, maintaining high levels of patient safety, quality and efficiency.
- Design robust operational frameworks that define processes, roles and responsibilities across the division, supporting effective decision‑making and resource allocation.
- Oversee the allocation and management of financial, human and physical resources, ensuring optimal use to deliver high‑quality care within budgetary constraints.
Person specification
Knowledge and Skills
- Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/experience.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional level in any relevant discipline.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Relevant specialist knowledge (Lean, continuous improvement, pathway redesign, digital improvement).
- Expert level knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and NHS England assurance frameworks.
- Good understanding of employment law, workforce policy, equality, diversity and inclusion obligations, information governance and data protection.
- Project management (e.g., Prince2).
Experience
- Extensive senior management experience in healthcare.
- Experience of managing multiple specialties.
- Demonstrable evidence of achievement in operational management roles.
- Experience of project and change management.
- Sound knowledge of NHS structure and targets.
- Demonstrable evidence of success in managing large teams and budgets.
- Experience in multi‑agency planning and service delivery.
Communication Skills
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information.
- Skilled in negotiation and influencing.
- Ability to present to large groups and write Board‑level reports.
People Management and Development
- Highly developed leadership skills.
- Experience of successful management teams and individuals.
- Experience of implementing people management processes.
- Coaching or mentoring qualification.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
- Highly developed numeric and analytical skills.
- Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of information.
- Ability to make sound judgements and decisions.
Planning and Organising Skills
- Strategic thinking; ability to plan over various timescales and adjust resources accordingly.
Freedom to Act
- Ability to make autonomous decisions on complex issues, often under pressure.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Evidence of undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
- Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles, where appropriate.
UHSussex is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from all backgrounds are welcome.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…
Posted: May 20th, 2026