Job overview
The Perioperative Operational Lead will provide single point leadership for all theatre services, ensuring that senior nurses, ODPs and theatre co-ordinators are empowered, supported and held to account for the delivery of safe, effective and efficient theatre services. The post holder will be highly visible and accessible within the theatre environment, providing clear operational direction and professional leadership to maintain patient safety, quality and experience at all times.
Main duties of the job
This post holder will work in closely with clinical and operational colleagues to ensure optimal theatre utilisation, list efficiency and workforce deployment. They will implement and oversee local systems and processes to ensure theatres operate effectively, meeting agreed performance standards and national requirements. The role requires strong operational decision making, coordination across specialities and sites and proactive escalation and resolution of issues impacting theatre performance.
The post holder will be responsible for providing leadership and management to Senior Sister/Charge Nurse within his/her area of responsibility. The role involves providing assurance of safety, quality and patient experience. Within his/her area of responsibility the Perioperative Operational Lead will ensure that a culture of cost consciousness exists and ward expenditure is in line with budget and associated agreed efficiency targets.
In conjunction with the senior team the post holder will work across organisational boundaries to ensure appropriate services are in place to deliver national and local strategic and operational service objectives and standards.
The Perioperative Operational Lead will hold responsibility for ensuring the efficient and effective day to day running of the environment ensuring sufficiently trained Nursing/ODP workforce
are in place. This will support the delivery of key quality, performance indicators, achieving key service improvements and line management to designated staff.
The post holder will also lead a multidisciplinary team, manage theatre resources, and drive continuous improvement in clinical standards, patient experience, and operational performance. They will work closely with operational leads, Service Managers, Consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure that services are aligned with national standards, Trust objectives, and local population needs. This role requires advanced clinical knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to manage complex service demands across a multi-site organisation.
Please note this post will close at sufficient applicants
Working for our organisation
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
·Your Leadership Impact
·Leading your Team to Success
·Leading Into the Future
·Service Improvement for Beginners
·Developing your Service Improvement Skills
·Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
·Explore leadership within the NHS
·Promote Trust values and behaviours
·Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
·Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
1. Advanced clinical knowledge of operating theatre practice, workflow, staffing and peri-operative clinical standards
2. NHS operational management experience
3. Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams in a perioperative setting
4. Theatre service improvement experience
5. Strong understanding of NHS clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management frameworks
6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to influence and negotiate across clinical and operational teams
7. Ability to analyse complex data and performance metrics to inform patient safety, Quality & service improvement
8. Budgetary and resource planning
9. Change and project management
Desirable criteria
10. Knowledge of lean methodologies, Six Sigma or similar service improvement tools
11. Experience in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures
12. Experience in managing change across multiple sites or services
13. Experience in preparing for CQC inspections
14. Familiarity with theatre scheduling software and digital transformation initiatives
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
15. Registered Nurse or AHP (NMC/HCPC)
16. Educated to masters level (or equivalent relevant experience)
17. Evidence of continuing professional development
18. Leadership training or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
19. Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership or management
20. Teaching or mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
21. Significant leadership experience within theatre services
22. Demonstrated success in leading service improvement initiatives
23. Experience in managing clinical incidents, complaints, and governance processes
24. Proven track record of achieving performance targets and KPIs
Desirable criteria
25. Involvement in research, audit or quality improvement projects
26. Experience in developing business cases or service proposals
27. Experience of working across multi site theatre services
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
28. Compassionate, inclusive, and values-driven leadership style
29. Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure
30. Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
31. High level of emotional intelligence and resilience
32. Willingness to mentor and develop junior leaders
Desirable criteria
33. Active participation in professional networks or forums
34. Previous experience in changing service needs
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.
At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.
We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Supporting disabled people and people with longterm conditions
We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.
This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at or call us on 01642 854610
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.