Job overview
We seek to recruit an enthusiastic and skilled Deputy Clinical Director to support the Critical Care component of the Perioperative Directorate at Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal Hospitals. Deputy Clinical Director for Critical Care will work closely with the CD for Critical Care and the CD for Perioperative to deliver the strategic and operational priorities of the overall Perioperative Directorate.
The Deputy Clinical Director will support the Chief of Service and Divisional Director of Operations in ensuring that the highest standard of clinical care is delivered through continuous quality improvement. In collaboration with Directorate colleagues specifically Head of Nursing and General Manager, to create an environment where staff are engaged and empowered to actively contribute to the Trust’s objectives and the Trust’s vision and values are realised.
To provide clinical leadership for the Directorate and deliver on agreed quality and safety outcomes for the Directorate together with relevant performance measures and to support the financial sustainability of the Directorate.
To demonstrate a high level of clinical leadership and provide evidenced based professional advice and practical guidance. To demonstrate knowledge and leadership that will act as an exemplar model for the behaviour of all staff within the service.
The post holder will support the Clinical Director in ensuring that there are effective clinical governance arrangements within the Directorate.
Main duties of the job
For further information regarding the role, please refer to the attached JD and person specification
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information regarding the role, please refer to the attached JD and person specification
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. •Previous experience in substantive consultant role.
2. •Significant evidence of success in a Consultant leadership role.
3. •Operational management experience.
4. •Business/service planning in management or educational role.
5. •Evidence of continued professional development.
6. •Understanding of the provision and delivery of health care services, and of the Government’s strategy and plans for modernising health care.
7. •Sound understanding of the principles of clinical governance and clinical quality improvement
8. •Clear understanding of the NHS systems, agenda and strategic issues in healthcare and ability to interpret these in a given setting.
9. •Detailed understanding of current clinical and other issues relating to acute healthcare.
10. •Ability to build effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
11. •Commitment and passion for customer focused service with the ability to embed such an ethos at all levels of the organisation.
12. •High degree of report writing skills.
13. •Demonstrate attitudes and behaviours in support of the Trust’s vision “We Care”.
14. •Willingness to work flexibly.
15. •Environmental and political awareness
16. •Service improvement skills.
Desirable criteria
17. •Postgraduate qualification in leadership or management.
18. •On the specialist register.
19. •Postgraduate clinical qualification
20. •Case management or case investigation training.
21. •Lean management system knowledge
22. •Experience as an appraiser to support revalidation.
Skills
Essential criteria
23. •Commitment and passion for customer focused service with the ability to embed such an ethos at all levels of the organisation.
24. •High degree of report writing skills.
25. •Willingness to work flexibly.
26. •Environmental and political awareness
27. •Service improvement skills.
28. •Demonstrate attitudes and behaviours in support of the Trust’s vision “We Care”.
People Management & Development
Essential criteria
29. •Demonstrable leadership and ambassadorial skills with an ability to demonstrate a flexible leadership style.
30. •Performance Management skills.
31. •Ability to develop others.
Freedom to Act
Essential criteria
32. •Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate the Management Team on a day-to-day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary.
33. •Identify and adhere to best practice.
34. •Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role.
35. •Able to interpret national and local guidance and to develop local policies to reflect these standards.
Specific Requirement
Essential criteria
36. •High level of self-awareness, and openness to self-improvement.
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