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Job overview
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust is seeking a forward-thinking and experienced leader to join our senior leadership team as Strategic Lead for Resource and Capacity Planning.
This pivotal role will provide executive-level oversight and strategic direction for the planning and optimisation of our operational resources across the Trust. With a core focus on workforce deployment, capacity modelling, demand forecasting, and system resilience, the postholder will be instrumental in shaping how we deliver safe, efficient, and responsive services to the communities we serve.
You will lead the development and implementation of innovative planning frameworks, champion data-driven decision-making, and support the transformation of operational delivery models to align resources effectively with patient needs.
Working in close partnership with the Chief Operating Officer and the wider Operations team, you will play a central role in enhancing organisational agility, strengthening performance, and embedding sustainable planning practices across the Trust.
We are looking for a strategic, analytical, and collaborative leader with a strong track record in operational planning, resource optimisation, or urgent and emergency care systems. The successful candidate will bring the ability to influence across organisational boundaries, drive continuous improvement, and deliver measurable impact in service quality and performance.
Main duties of the job
1. Meeting (and where possible improving on) key performance, quality and personal targets contributing to the achievement of the Service Plan.
2. 100% of Annual Performance Reviews, appraisals and Personal Development Plans completed to time and in line with the agreed policy.
3. Improving employee satisfaction results as measured by the Staff Survey, notably engagement and communications.
4. Improving staff retention, attendance and the performance management of individual staff;
5. Meeting patient and internal complaints targets focusing on continuous improvement by actively implementing improvements learned from outcomes.
6. Achieving budget and financial targets and making efficiencies where appropriate.
7. Managing corporate risk including supervising and investigating Serious Incidents; taking mitigating actions and embedding the learning from the events taking actions to prevent similar reoccurrence.
8. Optimal production of all resources to support the model of delivery.
9. Effective staff and Trade Union communication and engagement.
10. Achievement of contractual and regulatory performance targets
11. Complaints targets are met.
12. Risk management
Working for our organisation
You'll have the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse regions in the country, with the vibrant capital city just a stone's throw away and the invigorating North Sea coast to the east.
The East of England offers a unique blend of innovation and opportunity, surrounded by picturesque countryside, historic towns, and quick access to both the bustling capital and serene coastlines.
At EEAST we bring together all our skills to provide 24 hour, 365 days a year urgent care to those in need of emergency and non-emergency medical treatment and transport in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
We are always looking to innovate our approaches and work together to offer the best possible patient care across our counties.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as Black, Asian, or other ethnic groups, individuals with a Disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.
We at EEAST want to support our employees achieve a balance between work and other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, family commitments, further learning, and other interests. We therefore welcome flexible working requests.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative leader with:
13. Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to lead and inspire multi-disciplinary and geographically dispersed planning and operational teams
14. Proven ability to drive strategic transformation, service redesign, and performance improvement within a fast-paced, high-demand environment
15. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to influence across operational, clinical, and system-wide forums
16. Significant experience in leading complex planning or operational delivery functions, ideally within an ambulance trust or wider NHS setting
17. A strong understanding of workforce and resource planning, demand and capacity modelling, and the challenges of delivering urgent and emergency care services
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
18. Master's Degree, equivalent professional qualifications and/or substantial demonstrable experience in a similar role or setting.
19. Have or be willing to complete a Blue Light Driver Course to enable a response to a Major or Significant Incident for command purposes
20. Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK and with no more than 6 penalty points (of SP30 only).
Desirable criteria
21. NARU occupational standards Strategic Commander accreditation (MAGIC)
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
22. Demonstrating Continuous Personal Development including Management, Organisation Development and Change Management.
23. Planning and prioritising conflicting demands and often unpredictable work patterns.
24. Creating a clear vision and translating strategies into Operational Plans.
25. Ability to manage performance and implement quality systems.
Personal Qualities, Abilities & Attributes
Essential criteria
26. Being accountable for results and actions and, in turn, holding others to account.
27. Initiating, building, and maintaining relationships with internal and external key stakeholders, developing partnerships and cooperative working.
28. Demonstrating a passion for the delivery of quality services.
Experience
Essential criteria
29. Significant, successful senior management experience
30. Proven ability to improve operational performance at a senior level.
31. Proven budget management experience
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Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on the Check if you need a UK visa - website. We encourage all applicants to review these criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.
References and Employment History: All references from current and previous employers, will be sought via their Human Resources Department and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and email address of the Human Resources Department and indicate your current/previous line manager and their departmental details.
All appointments will be subject to currently having a clean disciplinary record.
Please be advised that a No Smoking Policy is in operation throughout the Trust.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - Under the Trust's commitment 'Positive about Disabled People', if you consider yourself as having a disability and you meet the minimum selection criteria for any post, you will get an automatic interview. By minimum selection criteria we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application form which demonstrates the essential requirements as set out in the person specification and advertisement for a post.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications, regardless of age, race, religion & belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity or disability.