Deputy Associate Director of Operations - Surgery

Job summary

Deputy Associate Director of Operations - Surgery

Department Surgery

Band: £62,215 - £72,293 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.

Are you ready for a leadership opportunity that will challenge and inspire you? Do you have a passion for delivering high-quality patient care in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? We are seeking a Deputy Associate Director of Operations for Surgery to join our innovative and committed team within the NHS.

In this key role, you will work alongside the Associate Director of Operations to lead and manage the surgery division. You'll be responsible for overseeing operational activities, driving improvements in patient care, and ensuring that services are efficient and effective. Your leadership will contribute to the development and execution of strategies to ensure high standards of care, operational excellence, and the overall success of the surgery division.

This is a fast-paced, high-energy role that requires a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who thrives in a challenging environment.

For more information please contact:

Claire McGillycuddy, Associate Director of Operations for Surgery & Elective Care Claire.McGillycuddy@mkuh.nhs.uk

Please contact in the first instance to book informal visit or chat - telephone 01908 996209

Interview Date: week commencing 21 May 2025

Main duties of the job

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

1. Establish excellent relationships with the internal and external staff groups and stakeholders to facilitate robust service delivery, successful development of clinical services utilising best practice methodologies.
2. Establish effective relationships with clinical staff and other stakeholders to assist with ensuring financial targets and cost improvement programmes are delivered to agreed budgets.
3. Work with other service/directorate leaders in the achievement of corporate objectives.
4. Work collaboratively with the CSUs to implement service improvements, and modernise practices within Directorate/specialty areas.
5. Deputise for the Divisional ADO in their absence and as required.
6. Provide support and leadership to the operational teams to ensure effective service delivery.

About us

Why Join Us?

1. Work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and supportive environment where your ideas and contributions matter.
2. Be part of a talented and passionate team that's focused on making a real difference to patient care.
3. Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
4. Enjoy a fulfilling role that allows you to grow your skills and work towards becoming a future NHS leader.

MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

• Free on-site parking
• Free refreshments
• Great flexible working opportunities
• Discounted gym membership
• Lease car scheme
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• On site nursery (chargeable)
• Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Date posted: 11 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 430-SUR25-1A

Job locations: Surgery Division Triumvirate (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD

Job description Job responsibilities

Human Resource Management

Management responsibility for recruitment, retention, disciplinary and grievance, and all staffing issues within the directorate/services. Provide support and advice to junior managers directly managed. Ensure that sickness absence is actively managed to agreed targets.

Financial Management

Ensure that the CSUs/services manage expenditure (including recharges from other Divisions) by achieving agreed income targets or reducing expenditure accordingly. Responsible for ensuring that the CSUs/services are appropriately supported to deliver allocated cost improvement targets, developing realistic plans and monitoring and reviewing their implementation.

Service Delivery

Advise on, and when appropriate, ensure the implementation of new practice/developments, which may have an impact on the effective and efficient delivery of activity targets, within the directorate/services. Maintain health and safety standards within the Trust.

Communication

To help establish and maintain effective two-way channels of communication within the division. To maintain lines of communication with other operational managers in the Trust and wider healthcare community if appropriate to ensure that services are integrated.

Health and Safety

All staff will: Take care of own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Adhere to Trust and Departmental Health and Safety Policies and use any equipment or personal protective equipment provided to ensure safety.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Master's Degree or management knowledge acquired through training and experience equivalent to Master's level
• Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE II

Experience

Essential

• Significant specialist experience in an operational management post in the NHS
• Proven and demonstrable track record of meeting national targets
• Knowledge and understanding of the duties imposed on the Trust by legislation, NHS policy and priorities and the requirement of corporate governance
• A clear understanding of the modernization agenda, the opportunities for redesigning services and the tools and techniques for achieving service change
• Proven success in managing operational change whilst maintaining high standards of quality
• Significant experience of managing staff. Demonstrate evidence of sound financial/staff management
• NHS experience in a senior manager role with significant experience of dealing with complex issues
• Demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects
• Proven success in business planning and in the development and implementation of complex strategic plans

Skills

Essential

• A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets
• Proven ability to deal with a wide range of data and information and take appropriate decisions from it
• A proven ability to come up with flexible and creative solutions to difficult problems
• Excellent collaborative working skills and able to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and professional staff groups
• Proven ability of leading change through people
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - ability to negotiate and influence in difficult and contentious situations with a wide staff group
• A strong commitment to openness, honesty, inclusiveness and diversity
• Self-management and personal integrity
• Ability to analyse complex problems and develop practical solutions
• Full range of IT skills, including MS Office

Personal and people development

Essential

• Experience of managing and developing others
• Evidence of creative and inspirational approach to problem solving
• Evidence of ability to be a credible leader
• Able to motivate self and team

Communication

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence others using all communication tools (verbal, written etc.)
• Ability to challenge and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here.

Employer details

Employer name: Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Surgery Division Triumvirate (Dept), Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD

Employer's website: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh