Care Group Director of Operations

Care Group Director of Operations Band 9/VSM Senior Operational Leadership Salary: Competitive Duration: 6 months FTC Lead. Transform. Make a Difference. Are you an experienced NHS operational leader ready to shape services, drive performance and deliver meaningful improvements for patients? This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, safe and efficient patient care, working in close partnership with clinical leaders and senior colleagues to improve operational performance, strengthen financial sustainability and support the Trust's wider strategic ambitions. We are looking for a leader who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational delivery, build effective partnerships and inspire teams to achieve sustainable improvements in a complex healthcare environment. The Role As Care Group Director of Operations, you will provide senior operational leadership, working in partnership with the Care Group Clinical Director and wider Trust leadership to deliver the Care Group's objectives. You will be responsible for translating strategic priorities into effective operational plans, ensuring services are well managed, resources are used effectively and performance improvements are delivered sustainably. Key responsibilities will include:

• Operational leadership: Lead the delivery of operational plans, ensuring services meet agreed performance objectives and organisational priorities.
• Performance improvement: Drive improvements in patient access, service delivery, productivity and operational efficiency.
• Financial management: Support the delivery of financial plans, effective resource utilisation and sustainable service models.
• Quality and patient experience: Work collaboratively with clinical colleagues to maintain high standards of patient care, safety and experience.
• Workforce leadership: Support effective workforce planning, colleague engagement, leadership development and organisational culture.
• Service transformation: Identify and deliver opportunities to redesign services, improve pathways and enhance productivity.
• Partnership working: Build strong relationships with clinical leaders, corporate teams and wider system partners to deliver shared objectives.
• Governance and accountability: Ensure effective operational oversight, risk management and performance reporting, escalating issues appropriately and supporting timely decision-making. You will bring the ability to balance immediate operational demands with longer-term strategic improvement, creating the conditions for teams to deliver sustainable results. About You You will be an accomplished senior operational leader with a strong track record of delivering results within a complex healthcare organisation. You will combine commercial and financial awareness with a clear commitment to patient care, collaborative leadership and continuous improvement. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
• Significant experience in senior operational management and leadership within a complex healthcare environment.
• A proven record of improving operational performance and delivering challenging organisational objectives.
• Strong financial management, resource planning and productivity improvement capabilities.
• Experience leading service improvement, transformation or organisational change.
• The ability to work effectively with senior clinical colleagues and multidisciplinary leadership teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities, with the confidence to manage competing priorities.
• A commitment to inclusive leadership, colleague development and high standards of patient care.
• Behaviours aligned with NUH's values and its commitment to putting patients and communities first. You will be resilient, credible and collaborative, able to build trust across professional boundaries while maintaining a clear focus on delivery and accountability. Why Consider This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to take on a senior leadership position within a major teaching hospital trust and contribute to services that make a meaningful difference to patients and communities. You will have the opportunity to:
• Influence operational delivery and service improvement at a senior level.
• Work in close partnership with clinical and executive leadership.
• Lead teams through complex operational challenges and change.
• Contribute to the development of efficient, sustainable and patient-centred services.
• Support the Trust's wider ambitions for quality, performance and organisational improvement. Interested? If you are a senior NHS operational leader looking for your next challenge and have the experience, leadership capability and ambition to deliver meaningful improvements in a complex healthcare setting, we would welcome your interest.