Contact information
For further information in respect of the above post or to arrange a visit, applicants may contact Nicola Whittaker on 01924 542999.
About the role
This is a key position within the Division of Surgery and in conjunction with the Director of Operations, is responsible for delivering our operating plan and achieving strategic aims.
Drive divisional performance, ensuring delivery of all local and national standards across activity, quality, finance, and workforce.
Support, shape and deliver sustainable service plans in line with Trust priorities, securing investment through robust business cases.
Lead change and transformation programmes, embedding innovation and best practice to improve quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
Provide visible, values-driven leadership, empowering teams and working in strong partnership with clinical leaders.
Main duties
* This is a key position within the Division of Surgery and in conjunction with the Director of Operations, is responsible for delivering our operating plan and achieving strategic aims.
* Drive divisional performance, ensuring delivery of all local and national standards across activity, quality, finance, and workforce.
* Support, shape and deliver sustainable service plans in line with Trust priorities, securing investment through robust business cases.
* Lead change and transformation programmes, embedding innovation and best practice to improve quality, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
* Provide visible, values-driven leadership, empowering teams and working in strong partnership with clinical leaders.
Essential person specification requirements
* Educated to Masters level or equivalent professional qualification or equivalent experience
* Management qualification or post graduate diploma
* Continuing professional development
* Extensive recent experience at senior management level, within an acute hospital setting, to include line-management experience of a large, multi-professional staff group.
* Evidence of being able to provide strong professional leadership
* Able to build rapport and credibility with senior clinical and managerial teams
* Evidence of effective team building
* Evidence of having managed large pay and non-pay budgets and achievements of CIPs
* Experience in general/operational management including managing staff performance and managing change at a senior management or professional level
* Experience of active performance management
* Experience of implementing change management projects to develop or improve services
* Service planning and business case preparation
* Demonstrates ability to develop and utilise effective professional networks
* Extensive experience of operational resilience and capacity planning to support delivery of the improved utilisation and productivity of resources
* Ability to lead, manage and implement change to improve services to patients
* Knowledge of organisational performance management principles and practice
* Knowledge and application of key policies and procedures including 18 weeks, Health and Safety, HR policy, and infection control
* Awareness of own limitations.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Ability to communicate at all levels
* Highly developed interpersonal skills
* Ability to negotiate and influence
* Ability to lead, manage and promote change
* Ability to think strategically
* Ability to prioritise and manage a changing agenda
* Ability to enable, support and empower others
* High level of energy, stamina and enthusiasm
* Ability to be credible and confident with both clinicians and senior management, able to command respect
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .