Job summary
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust seeks an experienced Directorate Manager to enhance the management structure within the Specialised Clinical Services Division. This is an exciting time to join SCSD where you will be responsible for the management of Ophthalmology and Rheumatology services in conjunction with the Clinical Leads and Matron for the departments. Both services are high performing specialties and you will be expected to take the lead role in delivering the key objectives and targets relating to business, finance, performance, risk management and governance.
We are looking for an innovative leader who can demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to leading clinical services, as well as experience of pro‑active management to achieve key performance targets, service improvement and business, financial and workforce planning. This post is based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and travel across the county is essential. The post holder will participate in the Trust wide management on‑call rota.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will ensure that the Directorate and its services meet their quality, activity and financial targets. The post holder will work with the Clinical Director, Director of Operations, Divisional Director, and Matron(s) to assist in the planning, objective‑setting and change management within both the Directorate and the Division as a whole. The post holder will be required to proactively engage in service transformation and development, responding to changing environments, working with commissioning colleagues to ensure that the service is fit for purpose and meets the changing needs of the population.
Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment
As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria specified in the person specification for this role. Applicants will be prompted in the application form to declare if they wish to be considered under this scheme and their response will be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
If you have any queries about the expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please contact Rob Saunders (HR Manager – Recruitment) in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net.
About us
Our purpose is simple – Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust operates hospital‑based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.
Our workforce is nearly 6,800 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient‑centred care. We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision – working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
* Best services for local people
* Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
* Best use of resources
* Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation – this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Details
Date posted – 30 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 to £74,896 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9365‑25‑0249‑2
Job locations
Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD
The Alexandra Hospital, Woodrow Drive, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 7UB
Kidderminster General Hospital, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 6RJ
Job responsibilities
General Duties – Performance
* Ensure operational performance of the Directorate’s services meets agreed objectives and targets.
* Collaborate with the Director of Operations, Clinical Directors and Matron/Senior Nurses to set and deliver the Directorate objectives in line with Divisional and Corporate targets.
* Manage and deliver income and expenditure (I&E) balance on the budget devolved within the Directorate.
* Plan and monitor performance against all activity targets and service objectives; ensure national and local waiting‐time and booking targets are met.
* Maintain highest levels of cleanliness in clinical areas in alignment with the Trust’s Infection Control policy.
* Coordinate with Cancer Services Team to monitor and deliver targets associated with the NHS Cancer Plan.
* Prepare for Cancer Peer Review, external QA audits, CQC inspections, etc.
* Take responsibility for compliance with the Trust complaints procedure; identify and implement action plans.
* Ensure compliance with Health & Safety and CNST/NHSLA standards; implement action plans.
Financial Management
* Accountable for delivery of income and expenditure (I&E) balance for the Directorate.
* Maintain an effective performance management system in partnership with the Directorate Finance Manager.
* Develop and present business cases to the Divisional Team.
* Participate in pricing and costing, relating patient activity by diagnostic condition to expenditure.
* Ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions (SFI).
Business / Policy / Planning
* Deliver annual capacity and business planning for the Directorate.
* Support Clinical Directors, Matrons/Ward Managers, Departmental Managers and other key personnel in strategic review and action planning.
* Develop innovative methods of income generation and financial control.
* Draft business cases/briefing documents for submission to senior Advisory Groups, Trust Board, Integrated Governance Committee, etc.
* Ensure review and update of policies/procedures and working practices; contribute to Trust wide policy updates.
* Implement outcomes from submitted papers/reports.
* Undertake project work as directed.
Service Transformation and Development
* Lead Directorate clinical teams in service redesign.
* Advise Divisional Team on the development and implementation of strategies responding to key national initiatives.
* Stay aware of relevant service/technological developments; evaluate opportunities.
* Keep abreast of national developments and strategies across specialties.
* Work with Commissioning colleagues to maximise opportunities to meet joint CIP and QIPP requirements.
* Identify opportunities for service improvement and development.
People Management
* Motivate and take line management responsibility for all non‑clinical and nursing staff.
* Ensure implementation of Trust HR policies.
* Recruit, induct, train and develop non‑clinical staff; ensure robust appraisals.
* Ensure Junior Doctor compliance with European Working Time Directive.
* Review workforce plans with heads of department, corporate staff group leads and HR.
* Maintain effective communication channels.
* Develop partnership framework with staff representatives.
Governance
* Develop strategy to enhance quality standards.
* Establish mechanisms to monitor achievement and take action if underperformance.
* Coordinate, implement and review quality initiatives.
* Implement changes in clinical practice as required.
* Identify opportunities for change that improve or assist clinical practice.
* Ensure risk management and quality assurance policies are compliant with Trust policy.
Corporate & On Call Duties
* Participate in the Trust’s management on‑call rota.
* Investigate/hear internal staff grievances/complaints from other Divisions as required.
Person Specification – Qualifications (Essential)
* First degree or professional academic qualification.
* Relevant Management qualification or equivalent.
* Master’s degree and/or equivalent experience.
Desirable
* Experience in Ophthalmology or/and Rheumatology services.
Personal Qualities (Essential)
* Pragmatic diplomatic management of situations and processes.
* Displays strong motivation and commitment to success.
* Ownership of personal development.
* Resilience to work with competing demands and maintain high quality work.
Experience (Essential)
* Senior management experience in an acute setting.
* Proven record of pro‑active management to achieve key performance targets.
* Demonstrable experience of service re‑design, business planning and change management initiatives.
* Track record of effective financial management including delivery of efficiency savings, income and expenditure targets.
* Experience managing and building multi‑professional teams to respond to operational issues.
Desirable
* Experience and knowledge of National Peer Review.
Skills / Knowledge (Essential)
* Ability to analyse issues and make judgements across general management subjects (Finance, HR, quality, environment and external issues).
* Excellent communication skills – formal and informal presentations, adaptable style.
* Effective working relationships and partnerships across professional groups/divisional boundaries.
* Well‑developed IT skills for complex performance management information.
* Negotiation skills.
* Rapid grasp of new ideas/concepts.
* Influence and motivation of staff to deliver targets.
* Critical analysis and interpretation of complex management and patient information/data sets.
* Participation in strategic management processes and application (financial and workforce planning).
* Comprehensive understanding of national and local cancer strategies and translation into local services.
* Knowledge of NHS financial flows and service planning impact.
* Competence in employment law and good HR management practice.
* Knowledge of national strategies/policy concerning patient care and national plans.
* Understanding of clinical and corporate governance agenda and the role of the CQC.
* Knowledge of inspection and regulation environment.
Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment (Essential)
* Applications from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request consideration under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria specified in the person specification.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 1DD
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