An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of General Manager for Theatres and Sterile Services at University Hospitals Dorset. The successful candidate will lead the Directorate in ensuring the provision of high‑quality patient services that are clinically safe, delivered cost effectively and meet the Trust's values, mission and strategic themes in line with the Patient First approach. The Transforming Care Together Programme is underway and will establish an Emergency Site at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital and a Planned Care Site at Poole Hospital in the Summer of 2026. This role will be integral in supporting Theatres and Sterile Services to prepare for this significant and exciting change as well as ensuring continuity of service continues day to day. The General Manager is accountable to the Group Director of Operations for the delivery of all elements of the Directorate Operational Plan including quality, performance, finance, workforce and strategy.
If you would like an informal discussion regarding this opportunity please email Abigail Daughters, Group Director of Operations or Nichola House, Interim Deputy Group Director of Operations to contact you.
Base location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital but cross‑site working will be required.
Interview date: TBC – w/c 5th January 2026. The post holder will lead the Directorate in delivering the agreed strategic and operational priorities, focusing on quality, performance, workforce and finance including a delegated Efficiency Improvement Programme. The successful candidate will be required to maintain a significant breadth of knowledge of all aspects of their portfolio. This will include leading the Theatres Improvement Programme to improve utilisation and increase productivity in line with GIRFT, commission new theatres at Poole as part of the Transforming Care Together Programme, oversee the capital equipment replacement programme underway within the Sterile Services Department as well as delivering a robust and consistent service across all aspects of the Directorate.
At UHD there are 30 operating theatres located across the Royal Bournemouth and Poole Hospital sites which cover a range of surgical services including:
* Gynaecology
* Head and Neck
* General Surgery
* Trauma and Orthopaedics
* Elective and Emergency Obstetrics
* Vascular and Emergency theatre activity
The Directorate has approximately 460 staff and a budget of £33.4m with Sterile Services being based at Alderney in Poole on a dedicated site.
Working for our organisation
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD is investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three‑site acute trust with "university hospital" status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state‑of‑the‑art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you'll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we're also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
We are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.
Please see the person specification and job description for further details of the role and responsibilities.
Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.
This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.
COVID‑19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.
Internal candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.
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