Job overview
Stakeholder Event: 11th June 2026 / Panel Interview: 18th June 2026
Hospital Director – Place Leadership
2 opportunities available, one at St Richards Hospital, Chichester and one at Worthing Hospital
Following the launch of our new target operating model and restructuring of our hospital site teams, we are seeking a Hospital Director for St Richards Hospital, Chichester and a Hospital Director for Worthing Hospital. The Hospital Director is a high-profile role and is responsible for ensuring that the site is safe, resilient, compliant, and operationally prepared to support the delivery of clinical services by divisions. The role provides authoritative place-based leadership, translating Trust strategy and the One UHSussex operating model through a site lens and ensuring that services with delivery accountability elsewhere are able to operate effectively.
A visionary leader who demonstrates an inclusive and engaging leadership style, you will provide a visible hospital presence and be comfortable working in a matrix structure in one of England’s largest acute hospital Trusts.
To succeed in this role, you will have already operated at a senior operational level and be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of operational management in an acute NHS hospital setting, possess excellent persuasion and influencing skills with the ability to deliver at pace.
Main duties of the job
The Hospital Director provides senior corporate leadership for the hospital as a place, ensuring that the site is safe, resilient, compliant and operationally prepared to support divisional clinical services.
The Hospital Director – Place Leadership is the Trust’s senior corporate leader for the hospital site, accountable for ensuring that the site is safe, resilient, compliant and operationally prepared to support the delivery of clinical services by the divisions.
Acting on behalf of the Chief Executive and Executive Team, and reporting to the Deputy Chief Delivery Officer, the role provides authoritative place-based leadership, translating Trust strategy and the One UHSx operating model through a site lens and ensuring that services with delivery accountability elsewhere are able to operate effectively.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Hospital Director holds direct corporate accountability for stewardship of the site, including safety, resilience, estates, infrastructure, space, environmental standards, emergency preparedness and statutory compliance. The role exists to enable and protect divisional delivery by identifying and managing site-level risks and constraints, coordinating major change, leading EPRR arrangements, and providing clear assurance to the Executive Team.
This is a high-profile, visible leadership role requiring strong personal authority, judgement and pace. The postholder must be able to build trusted relationships quickly, lead through influence rather than line management, hold the confidence of the Executive Team, and represent the Trust credibly with local partners, regulators, elected representatives and communities. The role requires advanced communication, judgement, organisational planning and leadership across policy, financial and workforce areas.
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full duties and responsibilities.
Person specification
Qualifications/ Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
1. Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/ experience;
2. Sound understanding of Health Service policy and both National and local patient agendas
3. Extensive knowledge of CQC Standards and requirements
4. Evidence of significant senior leadership development
Desirable criteria
5. MBA or Doctorate
6. Leadership training
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Significant experience of senior level operational management experience gained in a complex acute hospital setting
8. Substantial experience of managing both clinical and/ or non-clinical services
9. Proven track record of delivering results and targets
10. Advanced management / leadership experience of large multi-professional teams
11. Experience of multi-agency planning and service delivery
Desirable criteria
12. Experience in leading major transformation programmes
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
13. Highly developed communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
14. Ability to convey highly complex and contentious messages
15. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of clinical professionals
16. Ability to present complex information to a range of audiences
17. Skilled in conflict resolution and partnership working
18. Confidence and ability to challenge colleagues
19. Develop good working relationships with colleagues across Trust and with External stakeholders
Desirable criteria
20. Experience of media engagement
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
21. Highly developed and credible leadership skills
22. Able to lead, motivate and influence individuals both within and external to the organisation
23. Experience of managing performance, change and complex people issues
24. Ability to hold others to account
25. Ability to work under pressure and lead through ambiguity
Desirable criteria
26. Coaching or mentoring qualification
Analytical & Judgment skills
Essential criteria
27. Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
28. Ability to interpret complex data and make sound decisions
29. Experience of critical decision making in relation to operational and clinical risk
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential criteria
30. Strong problem-solving abilities
31. High level objective setting
32. Demonstrate efficient use of resources
33. Excellent time management and prioritisation
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
34. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
35. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications