Job overview
We are looking for an exceptional leader to join our Operations Directorate as Divisional Director of Operations. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the day-to-day operational management and strategic development of services within your division.
You will ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, and patient-focused care, meeting local and national performance standards while driving innovation and transformation. Acting with full autonomy, you will make decisions that shape divisional and Trust strategy, deputise for the Executive Director of Operations, and participate in the Strategic Commander rota.
Main duties of the job
As Divisional Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across your division, ensuring that services consistently meet performance targets, quality standards, and financial objectives. You will lead workforce planning and staff engagement initiatives, creating a culture of empowerment and collaboration.
You will oversee governance and compliance, ensuring regulatory standards are met and risks are managed effectively. The role involves managing multi-million-pound budgets, delivering cost improvement programmes, and ensuring resources are available for emergency and urgent care functions.
You will be accountable for quality and patient safety, leading investigations, monitoring trends, and implementing action plans to improve outcomes. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will represent SCAS at system-level meetings, influence policy, and support the development of strategies aligned to national priorities.
Finally, you will lead large-scale change programmes and service integration projects, ensuring robust governance and measurable benefits, while driving innovation and continuous improvement across the division.
Working for our organisation
Benefits we offer:
* Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
* Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
* Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
* Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
* Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
* NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
* Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
* MSc/MA level qualification in leadership or business-related discipline (or equivalent experience).
* Significant senior management experience within healthcare/NHS.
* Proven ability to lead change and deliver sustained performance improvements.
* Strong leadership and team-building skills.
* Financial management experience and ability to manage large budgets.
* Excellent communication, influencing, and analytical skills.
Desirable:
* Incident command experience or willingness to achieve competency within six months.
* Quality Improvement training (e.g., LEAN Six Sigma, IHI, QSIR).
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Educated to MSc/MA level in leadership or business related discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience
* QI training and experience
* Experience of leading and managing major change programmes
* Substantial experience of business planning, objective setting and performance management
* Proven track record of working with complex groups of stakeholders across multi-disciplinary teams and of presenting to these groups
* Financial management acumen
* Experience of leading large teams
* Specific in depth knowledge of challenges facing health and social care
We actively welcome job applications from candidates who have a disability or who are members of the BAME, LGBTQ+ and Armed Forces community (including: Reservists, Veterans, Spouses and Cadets). Here at SCAS we are proud to have a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. Applicants who have a disability or are members of the armed forces community who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for their post of interest will be invited for an interview and/or assessment (where applicable).
Please be assured that any requests for reasonable adjustments will not negatively affect your application.
As well as standard NHS benefits like generous holiday entitlement and an excellent pension scheme, we offer lots of extras for our staff.