West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Band 8a- Deputy General Manager, Surgery
The closing date is 14 May 2026
Ready to lead real change in a high-impact clinical portfolio? We are looking for an ambitious and driven Deputy General Manager to join our Surgical Division, leading Trauma, Orthopaedics and Pain services.
This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to shape services that directly improve patient outcomes.
At West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, you'll be joining a high-performing organisation on an exciting transformation journey.
We are proud HSJ Award winners 2025 - Trust of the Year and Performance Recovery, with national recognition for our improvement and performance in A&E waits. Alongside this, our major Acute Redevelopment Programme and investment in digital innovation are reshaping how care is delivered.
You’ll work alongside inspiring clinical leaders and in a dynamic team to drive performance, innovation, and sustainable improvement.
We’re looking for a confident, collaborative leader who can challenge constructively and deliver results.
This role requires regular time on site (80%) and cannot be fully remote.
The Trust is supportive of flexible working and requests will be considered in line with the needs of the service and working patterns across the team.
Interviews will be held in person at the Watford site.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy General Manager will lead the operational and business management of Trauma, Orthopaedics and Pain services, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centred care within available resources.
With a strong operational focus, you will oversee day‑to‑day service delivery, driving performance against key targets including RTT, and leading recovery through effective demand and capacity planning.
You will work in close partnership with Clinical Leads and senior nursing colleagues to ensure services are responsive, efficient, and continuously improving.
This role requires a proactive, solutions‑focused leader who can operate both independently and collaboratively to drive service transformation and deliver sustainable improvements.
You will provide line management to administrative managers and service managers within the specialties and take responsibility for ensuring administrative functions are effective, efficient, and fit for purpose.
The post holder will also manage service budgets, including revenue, workforce establishment, and cost improvement programmes, ensuring financial sustainability alongside high-quality care.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contactwestherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job responsibilities
Lead operational management of services to meet RTT, cancer, and performance targets.
Develop and own action plans and strategies to improve performance, reduce waiting times and deliver excellent quality care.
Manage budgets, resources, and performance against financial and activity plans.
Drive service development, improvement projects, and cost efficiency programmes.
Ensure robust governance, risk management, and quality standards.
Provide visible leadership, manage staff, and support training and development.
Use data and information systems to monitor, report, and improve performance.
Foster effective communication and engagement with clinical teams and stakeholders.
Represent the service/division and support cross‑divisional working.
Lead change programmes, motivating teams and ensuring delivery of service improvements.
Lead on delivery of service KPIs, specialty strategies, and divisional business plans.
Develop business cases, negotiate service agreements, and contribute to commissioning of services.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
* Education to degree level within a relevant area e.g. management degree, clinical degree or equivalent experience.
* Post graduate management qualification or in the process of studying for.
Knowledge
* Strong understanding of the health and care sector including operational management.
* RTT management
* Understands admissions and outpatient services and processes
* Experience of both primary and secondary care organisations. Project management skills.
* Prior experience of working across two or more organisational boundaries.
Experience
* Previous NHS experience.
* Experience operating at a senior organisational level.
* Experience of using numerical analysis in problem solving.
* Experience of budgetary Management
* Experience of producing business cases.
* Experience of managing RTT targets and Cancer waiting times.
* Demonstrable operational management experience, with at least years managing large groups of staff.
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.
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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