Deputy Director of Operations - Therapies & Psychology Services

Deputy Director of Operations - Therapies & Psychology Services

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Senior Operational Management team at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Hospital Trust.

The Families & Clinical Support Services Division has a post for Therapies and Clinical Health Psychology.

You will be working alongside the Director of Operations, the Divisional Clinical Director, and the wider team inclusive of other Deputy Directors of Operations, Director of Midwifery & Women's Health, and Clinical and Professional Leads. You will contribute to the leadership of the Division and be responsible for the delivery of service, quality, financial, and other performance targets within your services.

Our success is dependent upon our staff engagement and commitment, and you must be able to work in a collaborative, compassionate, and supportive manner in order to foster success and a can-do attitude.

For further information in respect of the above post or to arrange a visit, applicants may contact Chelsea Bond on 01924 543123.

Interviews are currently planned for Tuesday 18th March 2025 (subject to change). The interview process will involve a virtual stakeholder panel in the morning and a formal face-to-face interview in the afternoon.

Main Duties of the Job

The post holder will demonstrate skills of influencing and information literacy in managing complex scenarios. Importantly, the post holder will be collaborative and have the ability to work across organisational boundaries working with a number of partners and influencing local strategy.

You will have experience of leading on the delivery of complex change and service improvement and be able to demonstrate significant competence through a proven track record of delivery and management within a complex organisation.

You will have a strong positive leadership style that has impacted on patients and staff. The successful candidate will have a significant amount of experience at senior NHS management level, ensuring safe and effective delivery of services. You will be familiar with the national key indicators and ensure you are able to support the positive delivery of them.

You will be required to participate in the senior manager on-call rota and contribute to strategic and operational decision making, so must be confident and have the ability to communicate at all levels with a clear demonstration of Trust values and behaviours.

In return, you will be welcomed to a highly motivated team, have the opportunity to influence how we work, and gain significant job satisfaction by helping to further improve the services that we provide to our local population.

Job Responsibilities

Job Purpose:

The Deputy Director of Operations is a key position within the Trust's senior management structure, and in conjunction with the Director of Operations, is responsible for the leadership, management, and delivery of the programme of work.

The post holder will contribute to the leadership of the Trust and be responsible for the delivery of service, quality, financial, and other performance targets as determined by the Director of Operations and the Chief Operating Officer. The post holder is expected to ensure that they and their teams deliver the Trust's development, leadership, communications plans, and objectives. In addition, the post holder will be responsible for service, workforce, and financial planning within relevant services and will work closely with other managers and clinicians to support Trust-wide objectives.

The post holder is corporately and individually responsible for delivering the Trust's Values and Behaviours, strategic direction, and business objectives.

Professional

• To write departmental and implement Trust-wide/departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Maintain a professional appearance in line with the Trust dress code.
• Uphold the Trust's values and behaviours (available on the Trust website) and behave in a manner fitting with the responsible position of the post holder, maintaining public confidence.
• Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff and respect the equality and diversity of each and every person he/she comes into contact with in the course of his/her business.
• Uphold the privacy and dignity of the patient and respect the equality of patients at all times.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Responsibilities

• Trust Strategy: contribute to the overall direction and leadership of the Trust so that the Divisions have a clear strategy and direction as the basis of corporate and clinical service business planning and prioritisation.
• Business Plans: contribute to the development and review of Business Plans and design, agree, and deliver those plans to ensure that they are consistent with Trust strategy and direction, NHS priorities, and stakeholder requirements and that the plans are successfully delivered in accordance with agreed internal and external measures of performance.
• Leadership: provide clear leadership, ensuring that performance is appropriately managed through an agreed performance management framework and that all staff are appraised and developed, in order to ensure an efficient, effective, and engaged workforce. Also to act as a role model for the application of Trust values.
• Patient Satisfaction: ensure that patient services provided within the services are of a consistently high standard and that mechanisms are in place to achieve feedback from patients and this is acted upon and communicated.
• Continuous Improvement: lead and encourage the development of new and innovative practice across the services to ensure the continuous improvement of efficiency and effectiveness and the development of high standards of patient service and internal customer support.
• Risk and Governance: ensure that all regulatory and risk management requirements are satisfied and direct the development of systems and control processes which will establish safe and consistent service delivery and monitoring arrangements. Also ensure that remedial action is promptly taken where unacceptable risks are identified.
• Financial Management: ensure sound financial management in the Trust and the achievement of expenditure (capital and revenue) and income targets.
• People Management: ensure that staff are employed and deployed in accordance with employment legislation and Trust employment policy and the service contributes towards the ambition of the Trust to be an employer of choice.
• Emergency Arrangements: participate in the Trust's emergency and on-call arrangements, providing appropriate leadership in the event of unexpected service issues or major disaster in compliance with the Trust emergency planning procedures.
• Representing the Trust: act as an ambassador for the Trust, ensuring that the needs and views of the Trust are fairly represented in external (including national and sector) forums and that opportunities are taken to enhance the reputation of the Trust and realise business development opportunities.
• Performance Management: oversee and monitor the delivery of high-quality and safe patient services through robust performance management and reporting systems.
• Equality: exercise corporate responsibility for ensuring the equality and diversity agenda is delivered and monitored, including production of equality impact assessments for all new policies and major pieces of work.
• Confidentiality: in all matters ensure confidentiality of person identifiable information (PID) and in all other data related to the good reputation and viability of the Trust.
• Policies: ensure that the Trust's core policies are integral to, and embedded in working practices.

Operational

• Secure the continuous improvement in day-to-day delivery of high-quality efficient clinical and patient services, and appropriate service redesign where necessary.
• Provide the necessary management infrastructure and coordination to support the needs of the component parts of the services in operating within a business-oriented organisation.
• Ensure the achievement of financial balance/surplus and that Cost Improvement Programmes and cash releasing efficiency schemes are delivered where relevant to the programme.
• Ensure the programme operates in accordance with employment legislation and Trust employment policy and good practice.
• Ensure effective clinical and corporate governance.
• Ensure all regulatory and risk management requirements are satisfied, including complaints and adverse incidents in accordance with Trust policy.
• Establish and maintain the highest standards of clinical and environmental hygiene to assure infection control standards and implement all statutory instruments e.g. Health Act 2006 (Hygiene Code).

Leadership

• To work to ensure the delivery of all aspects of the programme's duties and responsibilities.
• Provide clear leadership ensuring that all staff are appropriately managed and developed and that they are efficient, effective, engaged, and motivated.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational plans involving patients and other key internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Within the Trust Business Planning framework work with the programme teams to prepare the services annual forward plan and capacity plans, in liaison with other services as relevant.
• Continuously review services to ensure they meet the Care Quality Commission's required actions and are cost-effective and meet public expectations in terms of appropriateness, quality, and efficiency.
• Ensure that mechanisms are in place to seek the views and opinions of patients, carers, and stakeholders and that appropriate consultation takes place in planning services and change.
• Ensure that clinical practice is culturally sensitive and promotes equality and diversity and that dignity and respect of patients and carers is treated as of paramount importance at all times.
• Lead the service in the resolution of concerns and issues from patients, staff, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with other services in the development of service strategies.
• Contribute to the general management and strategic direction of the Trust through membership of internal and external groupings as required by the Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer.
• Lead on the management of specific Trust functions for the Division as appropriate and required.
• Oversee and take responsibility for the planning and management of service changes linked to the programme in conjunction with corporate functions, Director of Operations, Divisional Clinical Director, Head(s) of Clinical Service, and colleagues.

Management

• In conjunction with the Director of Operations, Divisional Clinical Directors, Head(s) of Clinical Service, and Assistant Directors of Nursing develop, implement, and manage an effective service management structure based on efficient and productive work processes, performance management frameworks, and within an agreed financial envelope.
• Ensure teams utilise available performance information to facilitate the monitoring of performance and identify opportunities for improvement, agreeing plans to improve service efficiency and quality.
• Develop the leadership, managerial, and business capability at middle management level to bring about effective change.
• Establish and monitor effective communication systems within the services ensuring appropriate attendance, including corporate support functions Finance, HR, and Information. Ensure that regular two-way communications take place with all the staff in the services.
• Where necessary to efficient operational performance, implement redesign of services and appropriate clinical programmes of change to improve productivity in line with best practice recommendations.
• Ensure staff have agreed annual objectives which are measurable and tied to achievement of the Trust and Divisional Business Plans and that staff receive regular appraisals and have agreed personal development plans.
• Develop policies and plans in conjunction with the Heads of Clinical Service, Director of Operations, and the Chief Operating Officer to ensure compliance with statutory obligations e.g. EWTD, Infection Control, Health and Safety and ensure they comply with the Trust's Policy Framework.

Person Specification

Experience

• Extensive recent experience at senior management level, within an acute hospital setting, to include line-management experience of a large, multi-professional staff group.
• Evidence of being able to provide strong professional leadership.
• Able to build rapport and credibility with senior clinical and managerial teams.
• Evidence of effective team building.
• Evidence of having managed large pay and non-pay budgets and achievements of CIPs.
• Experience in general/operational management including managing staff performance and managing change at a senior management or professional level.
• Experience of active performance management.
• Experience of implementing change management projects to develop or improve services.
• Service planning and business case preparation.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and utilise effective professional networks.
• Extensive experience of operational resilience and capacity planning to support delivery of the improved utilisation and productivity of resources.
• Ability to lead, manage and implement change to improve services to patients.
• Demonstrates evidence of innovation and improvement in the provision of services.
• Preparing and implementing strategic plans.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and utilise effective professional networks.
• Knowledge of organisational performance management principles and practice.

Other

• Ability to satisfy Occupational Health screening.
• Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service.
• Understanding of need to maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge and Awareness

• Knowledge of organisational performance management principles and practice.
• Knowledge and application of key policies and procedures including 18 weeks, Health and Safety, HR policy, and infection control.
• Awareness of own limitations.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate at all levels.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to negotiate and influence.
• Ability to lead, manage and promote change.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a changing agenda.
• Ability to enable, support and empower others.
• High level of energy, stamina and enthusiasm.
• Ability to be credible and confident with both clinicians and senior management, able to command respect.
• Experience in managing and delivering projects across a wide range of services.

Personal Attributes

• Effective Leader with demonstrable evidence.
• Personal integrity.
• Loyalty to team and organisation.
• Drive, energy and enthusiasm.
• Highly resilient.
• Ability to work under own volition and under pressure.

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent professional qualification or equivalent experience.

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.