Job Summary
As a member of the Divisional management triumvirate, the Divisional Director of Operations will have joint responsibility for the delivery of the Divisional agenda and specific responsibility and accountability for the leadership and management of performance across the Division.
Reporting to the Chief of Service, the Divisional Director of Operations, alongside the Divisional Director of Nursing, will be integral to the successful delivery of safe and effective services across the Division.
The Divisional Director of Operations will take the operational leadership role in a complex Division which includes multiple clinical service areas, managed through the Trust\'s Care Groups. They will be responsible for interpreting key performance data and developing strategies and operational plans to deliver high quality patient services, taking into account competing internal and external priorities.
The Divisional Director of Operations will ensure service objectives are implemented and, as a key member of the hospital executive team, will accept shared accountability for the hospital meeting its strategic, operational, and financial objectives.
Reporting to the Chief of Division, the Director of Operations is accountable for the delivery of the operational and clinical performance in a number of specialisms at King\'s College Hospital. The Director of Operations is responsible for providing strong leadership to senior management reports, ensuring that effective management and performance systems are in place.
About Us
King\'s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK\'s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King\'s to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King\'s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone\'s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust\'s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Details
Date posted: 26 August 2025
Pay scheme: Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary: Depending on experience VSM
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 213-CORP-7437504
Job locations: King\'s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS
Job Responsibilities
* Drive the operational performance and strategic development of the Division to provide high quality patient care
* Take an evidence-based approach to support decision making at Divisional level using all relevant and appropriate information to create high quality, standardised performance management
* With the Chief of Service and Divisional Director of Nursing develop and deliver strategic and operational plans which are aligned to the Trust strategy and priorities ensuring the provision of quality experience for patients and staff
* With the Chief of Service and Divisional Director of Nursing deliver a balanced scorecard with a focus on quality, safety and the use of resources
* Work closely with the Divisional Care Groups to ensure safe and effective day to day operations of the Trust are maintained and plans are in place to mitigate any risks to the delivery of a safe service
* With the Chief of Service and Divisional Director of Nursing ensure relevant national and local targets are met at Divisional and Care Group level, (e.g. infection control, management of complaints, financial management, etc)
* With the Chief of Service and Divisional Director of Nursing, deliver corporate initiatives and interventions at Divisional and Care Group level and deliver all corporate nursing initiatives across the Division ensuring a standard approach to delivery and consistent positive results
* Accountability for the effective performance of the Division, ensuring compliance with national and local targets and the Divisions/Trusts business plan
* Develop operational objectives with the Divisional Care Groups which align with internal and external requirements
* Lead the Divisions annual business planning process in line with Finance Business Partners, ensuring that the Division delivers a quality, value for money service which is costed and identifies annual cost improvements
* Ensure robust financial management systems and processes are in place which take into account the operational management of services and the use of capital to deliver a modernised approach to patient care
* Ensure processes are in place for ongoing review of services utilising best practice models to achieve optimal patient outcomes
* Develop and implement systems to ensure optimal patient flow through timely admission and discharge arrangements for the Division across all sites. Where issues arise, ensure these are addressed and interventions provide long term solutions
* Support the Chief of Service in the planning and delivery of clinical services, service development and demand & capacity for the Division utilising all available information (e.g. patient acuity models, workforce KPIs, financial modelling, etc), to ensure the best possible clinical and performance outcome
* Working closely with the Chief of Service and the Divisional Director of Nursing ensure the implementation of robust clinical and corporate governance structures and process for the Division
* Joint accountability with the Chief of Service and Divisional Director of Nursing for patient safety, clinical effectiveness, patient experience and risk management
* Joint responsibility for the oversight, delivery and management of key performance indicators across the Division highlighting areas of concern and agreeing actions with Care Groups to remedy any issues
* Overseeing the use of systems and relevant reporting, which support better governance and greater safety and quality within the Division and develop a standard approach to reporting incidents ensuring this meets Trust\'s requirements and promotes a learning environment where quality patient care and safety is the key priority
* Lead work with the Trust\'s system partners (e.g. South East London ICB, NHSE London) to ensure strategic and operational collaborations between the Trust and the system are developed leading to better delivery of service and patient outcomes
* With the Trusts corporate team, promote the development of a culture of continuous improvement which delivers long term different ways of working
* Support all corporate processes at Divisional and Care Group level, and ensure these are completed in a timely and effective manner (e.g. recruitment, employee relations, monthly budget reviews, etc)
* Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the Division
* Participate in the Trust\'s GOLD out of hours on call rota
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Educated to degree standard or equivalent
* Evidence of continuing professional development and management education (e.g. Diploma, Master\'s Degree)
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
* Significant experience at senior operational level in an acute hospital within the NHS or another large complex healthcare organisation
* Significant experience of managing clinical and operational teams to deliver against national and local performance requirements
* Experience of successfully leading and managing a large and diverse team
* Proven diplomatic and persuasive verbal and written communication skills at an executive level
Personal Skills
Essential
* Able to relate to people at all levels and build beneficial working relationships with internal staff and the employees from partners and key stakeholders
Additional information
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: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
Employer name: King\'s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS
Employer\'s website: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/
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