Head of Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response

Previous applicants need not apply. This is a rare opportunity to lead Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response (EPRR) for one of the largest NHS organisations in the South West. As Head of Emergency Planning and Operational Resilience, you will provide strategic leadership for the Trust's EPRR agenda, ensuring compliance with national legislation, NHS Core Standards and business continuity requirements. You will advise Executive Directors and senior leaders, lead major incident preparedness, and ensure the organisation is ready to respond effectively to disruption, operational pressures and emergencies. This is not a traditional desk-based governance role. We are looking for a visible and credible leader who can operate at pace, build strong partnerships and maintain a constant awareness of operational risk across the organisation. Having your finger on the pulse of a complex acute Trust is essential. Applicants must possess a relevant degree-level qualification together with specialist qualifications and experience in emergency planning, resilience, business continuity, crisis management, disaster management or major incident response. You will lead the Trust's Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response function, acting as the principal source of specialist advice for EPRR and business continuity matters. Key responsibilities include leading the development, implementation and assurance of major incident, business continuity, surge capacity and resilience plans; overseeing compliance with NHS EPRR Core Standards; and ensuring the Trust meets its statutory obligations under relevant legislation and national guidance. You will work closely with Executive Directors, operational teams, system partners, Local Resilience Forums and NHS England, providing expert advice on preparedness, resilience, command and control arrangements, and incident response. The role also leads EPRR training, exercising, policy development, assurance reporting and organisational learning following incidents, ensuring emergency preparedness remains embedded across the Trust. Recruitment Timeline Advert closes: Shortlisting: Interview assessments: Previous applicants need not apply About Us At University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, our values guide the way we work with patients, colleagues and partners: We are caring – we treat people with kindness, compassion and respect. We are one team – we work together, listen to each other and support our colleagues and partners. We are always improving – we learn, innovate and continually improve the services we provide. We are committed to helping colleagues balance their work and home lives. We offer a range of benefits, development opportunities and health and wellbeing support to help our staff thrive. We are committed to inclusion, staff engagement and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and able to contribute. University Hospitals Dorset is committed to sustainability and to reducing the environmental impact of the services we provide. Staff are encouraged to support sustainable quality improvement across all areas of work. UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview. If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions. For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Mark Mould Job title: Chief Operating Officer Email address: mark.mould@nhs.net