Job Summary
Thank you for your interest in joining us as Director of Operations for the Surgery, Anaesthetics & Critical Care Division; this post is a vital leadership role within our organisation. The Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has a wide-ranging improvement programme, including key operational commitments to improve access to Urgent & Emergency Care, Elective services, Cancer services and Diagnostic services. The organisation is proud of recent improvements made, but also humble about how much more we have to do.
You will be joining at an exciting time for the Trust and for healthcare services within Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. The Trust has recently committed to forming a Group between SaTH and Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, and now has a substantive Group Chair and Chief Executive Officer in common in place - creating the opportunity for greater collaboration and partnership working between the two organisations. The Trust also has a Chief Operating Officer (COO) and two Deputy COOs that have recently commenced in post, and so successful candidates will have the chance to join a newly formed senior leadership team.
This will be an incredibly rewarding leadership role, within an ambitious senior leadership team. We are committed to working together to provide excellent care for our patients and a rewarding professional experience for our colleagues.
Main Duties of the Job
The Divisional Director of Operations (DDO) is a pivotal member of the Divisional team. The DDO will contribute to the development, implementation and delivery of the Trust's strategic and operational objectives to provide services that optimise patient care, ensure efficient use of resources and promote a culture that is progressive, inclusive and driven by a core set of values.
The Divisional Director of Operations has devolved responsibility and accountability for the operational delivery and strategic development of the Division. The DDO's key role is to support the Divisional Medical Director and Director of Nursing alongside their teams in ensuring the provision of high quality, efficient and effective services, contribute to the strategic direction of the Division and provide general management expertise to the Divisional Medical Director and Clinical Directors to enable them to effectively discharge their responsibilities and accountabilities.
The post holder will act as a role‑model for outstanding leadership and management and play a vital role in developing and implementing the Division's clinical and business strategy, service developments and business plans in line with the Trust's vision, values and strategic goals. The DDO contributes to the Trust's wider strategic and service development agenda, taking responsibility for Trust-wide projects as agreed.
About Us
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is the main provider of acute hospital services for around half a million people in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales.
Encompassing some of the most picturesque parts of England and Wales, the Trust's catchment stretches from the Cambrian Mountains in the west, to Newport and the fringes of the Black Country in the east.
Our main service locations are The Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford and The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) in Shrewsbury which are located 20 minutes drive apart. Together they provide the vast majority of our activity. Both hospitals provide a wide range of acute hospital services including accident & emergency, outpatients, diagnostics, inpatient medical care and critical care.
We also provide services such as consultant‑led outreach clinics at the Wrekin Community Clinic, Telford, the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Gobowen and the Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Whitchurch Community Hospitals.
We employ more than 7,500 staff, and hundreds of staff and students from other organisations also work in our hospitals. We benefit from around 1,000 wonderful volunteers, and our main charitable partners are the League of Friends at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Friends of the Princess Royal Hospital, and the Lingen Davies Cancer Appeal which is based at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Details
Date posted: 18 November 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8d
Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 223‑DDO‑862
Job locations: The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ
Job Description – Responsibilities
For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled information for candidates.
Person Specification – Qualifications
* Educated to degree level in relevant field or equivalent level of management experience
* Masters in a relevant subject (e.g. healthcare, management) or equivalent experience
Person Specification – Desirable
* Evidence of further professional development activities in the past two years
Experience
* Extensive senior management experience with demonstrable track record of success in a complex organisation across the full range of management functions.
* Evidence of participation in corporate decision making and managing in a complex change environment creating sustained improvements.
* Leading multi‑professional and cross‑organisational service development and evidence of successful delivery of agreed service objectives.
Knowledge
* General Management theory and practice, including quality, financial management, HR management and service/business development.
* Good understanding of the NHS and key policy issues that affect business performance.
* Good understanding of commissioning framework within the NHS.
Desirable Knowledge
* Awareness of Strategic management processes and their application.
Skills / Personal Qualities
* First‑class interpersonal skills with ability to gain and sustain credibility with clinicians/managers.
* Able to present and receive highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information.
* Able to prioritise and manage the ongoing work of services and/or projects.
* Results‑oriented and able to deliver against deadlines.
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Employer Details
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Mytton Oak Road
Shrewsbury
SY3 8XQ
Employer's Website
http://www.sath.nhs.uk/
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