Band 8d - Deputy Director of Operations, WACS
The closing date is 15 April 2026
We are embarking on an ambitious programme of work to transform our sites and give our patients and colleagues within West Herts the working environment they deserve. Put simply, there's never been a better time to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We are now looking to help cement this improvement by appointing a new Deputy Director of Operations for our Women's & Children’s Services Division.
The role will work closely with the Divisional Director in supporting the Division in ensuring the provision of high‑quality patient services that are clinically sound, delivered cost effectively and meet the Trust’s priorities and performance objectives.
They will also have a major role in helping to lead, engage and motivate the Division’s workforce. The successful candidate will be joining an organisation which is genuinely on ‘the up’ and will play a critical role in its future success.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a high‑performing and committed individual to join the Women’s & Children’s Services Division. As a Deputy Director of Operations you will be responsible for the effective strategic, financial, and operational management of our services.
You will provide a key leadership role both within the Division and the services we support across the organisation.
You will possess excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to empower and lead others, ensuring that our teams continuously strive to develop and improve services for our patients.
This post will be supported by a strong and successful divisional management and clinical leadership team.
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 contact westherts.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
To work closely with the Divisional Director in supporting the Division in ensuring the provision of high‑quality patient services that are clinically sound, delivered cost effectively and meet the Trust’s priorities and performance targets.
The role of the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) is to provide strong local leadership to the Division and to balance strategic plans with operational needs and robust delivery.
The DDO will provide strategic leadership at divisional level, ensure that there are appropriate systems and processes within the Division to enable staff to deliver good quality clinical care and drive forward the service improvement agenda to achieve efficiency gains and improve the operational effectiveness of the Division.
Person Specification
Education
* First degree or equivalent experience
* Of management and leadership training and continuous professional development
* Masters degree in a management related discipline
Knowledge
* Knowledge of NHS Organisation and structures, business systems and the wider political environment
* Understanding of the business processes and systems in acute trusts.
* Knowledge of motivation, change and project management techniques and experience in their application in complex systems
Experience
* Senior management and leadership experience within an NHS acute hospital setting.
* Operational management responsibility for multi‑disciplinary staff groups.
* Successful financial management including budget control and cost improvements.
* Evidence of working successfully with senior medical staff in delivering services and developments.
* Successful management of changing clinical services.
Skills
* Demonstrable skills in leadership and driving the strategic direction of a team
* High degree of interpersonal skills (listening, persuasion, negotiation, etc).
* Good presentation and strong written and oral skills
* Conceptual skills and application of concepts to practice
* Analytical and interpretive skills in data handling
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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