Divisional Director of Operations - Clinical Support Services - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust provides clinical services to people in West Sussex, Brighton & Hove and parts of East Sussex. We run seven hospitals across Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. The mission of University Hospitals Sussex is to provide ‘excellent care every time’. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we are a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals. We work together towards the common goal to always put our patients first. Our 5-year strategy focuses on a supportive working environment that represents the Trust’s values, contribution to research activity and professional development and research.

We have an extremely exciting opportunity to join our team as Divisional Director of Operations for our Clinical Support Services Division. Reporting to the Chief of Service, this senior role will manage the diverse Clinical Support Service (CSS) Division to ensure that operational services including pathology, radiology/imaging, pharmacy and therapy services are delivered are delivered and performance across all quality, access, people and financial domains is achieved. The role is the lead professional management of the division, and the scope of the role reflects the level of seniority of the post holder.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a motivated and influential leader who is partnership-led and who has significant experience engaging with stakeholders of all levels. We are looking to speak with driven leaders who have significant experience in operational leadership roles, and who have extensive experience managing a diverse portfolio with multi-million pound budgets.

Your duties will be completed with passion whilst leading and motivating from the front, promoting the Trust’s values of compassion, communication, teamwork, respect, professionalism and inclusion; allowing your staff to thrive and deliver outstanding patient care. This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop and progress your executive operational career.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. In recruiting to our Trust, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We especially welcome applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, LGBTQ+ communities, and from people with lived experience of disability.

About us

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Establish robust, effective working relationships with clinical staff, leaders and external stakeholders to successfully develop Clinical Support Services including all imaging/radiology, pathology, pharmacy, therapies and Community Diagnostics Centres (CDCs), including contract and service planning discussions with commissioners and regulators where required

Engage staff, patients, commissioners and other partner organisations in discussions which may be highly emotive or highly contentious and where there may be significant barriers to understanding and/or acceptance e.g. proposed major changes, contract challenges/renegotiations, complaints regarding patient experience/outcomes

Consult with colleagues to address inter-dependencies between departments/specialties and ensure service alignment to reduce barriers to the provision of care

Develop strong partnership working with other local health and social care organisations within the ICS to ensure integrated care services are provided across the local health economy, negotiating and influencing as required

Present information to a wide range of stakeholders in both formal and informal settings, interpreting information and adapting style to suit the audience

To use the relevant software to produce and present reports for all service areas as required

Contribute to and support internal and external clinical networks, including national networks

Resolve conflict across a range of situations, including complaints, which will at times involve significant opposition, hostility and highly emotional responses

Participate in legal proceedings, giving evidence as required on behalf of the Trust

Represent the Trust at local and national level

— Please see Job Description & Person Specs for full details —

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent professional level
Masters degree relevant to role or equivalent knowledge and experience
Management qualification or additional short courses or experience to Doctorate level
Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development

Desirable

Post-graduate management qualification
Project Management/ Prince 2
MBA or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Extensive senior level manager experience within a complex health care organisation including management of multiple specialties
Experience of multi-agency planning and service delivery
Demonstrable recent experience as a senior manager within an NHS organisation managing multiple clinical services
Sound knowledge base of the NHS, current issues and developments, its structure, organisation and targets
Experience of project management and change management
A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets

Desirable

Knowledge of emergency planning and business continuity processes
Experience in clinical support services
Experience of managing high volume, high value contracts with external providers

Timeline

Date	Event
Sunday 4th June	Job closes