Job overview
Stakeholder Events; W/c 23.3.26 / Panel Interviews; 30.3.26
Applications for this role are invited via our chosen agency, Hunter Healthcare.
Thank you for taking the time to explore the opportunity to join University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust as one of our four Managing Directors.
This is a pivotal moment in our journey. Following the completion of our Target Operating Model review, we have taken a deliberate decision to simplify our organisational structure & place strong, accountable leadership at the heart of delivery. The creation of four MD roles represents a significant step forward in how we lead, integrate & improve services across Sussex. UHSx is one of the largest & most complex NHS organisations in the country, serving a diverse population across seven hospital sites & delivering major acute, specialist & tertiary services. Our ambition is clear: Excellent Care Everywhere. Achieving this consistently requires senior leaders who can operate at scale, combining operational grip with strategic leadership & system influence. Each MD will lead a substantial executive-level portfolio, with responsibility for a Division typically comprising £250m–£340m annual turnover, 1,900–4,000 WTE staff and up to 330 consultants, delivering services across multiple hospital sites. These roles offer real scope to shape cross-site integration, drive performance & lead meaningful service development within one of the NHS’s most significant provider organisations.
Main duties of the job
The Managing Director (MD) is a senior Trust leader with both corporate and divisional accountability, responsible for the delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centred services across all sites within their Division, and for contributing to the overall performance and leadership of University Hospitals Sussex.
The MD is accountable for divisional performance across quality, safety, access, people and finance, and is expected to operate as a corporate leader of the Trust, holding collective responsibility for Trust‑wide delivery, transformation and improvement in line with the strategy ‘Excellent Care Everywhere’.
The MD leads the divisional leadership team and works in close partnership with the Divisional Medical Director, Divisional Director of Nursing and Divisional Director of Operations, who report to the MD. Together, the divisional triumvirate is responsible for delivering agreed outcomes, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement, and ensuring consistent standards across all sites.
The MD is a member of the Executive Management Committee, attends the Trust Board and relevant Board Assurance Committees as a non‑voting member, and is expected to contribute at Board level to assurance, grip and delivery, operating to the standards expected of senior executive leaders
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
How to apply;
All applications must be received by 8 March 2026. All applications must quote the reference UHSX_MD and include: A full curriculum vitae; A covering letter (no more than two pages) indicating how you meet the selection criteria and articulating why you are interested in the role; Contact details for referees covering the last six years (who will not be contacted without your permission); A contact email address and telephone no.; A completed Diversity Monitoring Form and Fit and Proper Person Monitoring Form.
Person specification
Experience and Skills
Essential criteria
1. Educated to degree level or equivalent professional level in any relevant discipline
2. Ability to gain credibility amongst senior clinical, and operational colleagues
3. Extensive senior management experience in a complex healthcare organisation;
4. Experience of managing very large, multi‑professional teams.
5. Proven track record of delivering results and targets;
6. Experience of multi‑agency planning and service delivery
Desirable criteria
7. Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/experience
8. MBA or Doctorate
9. Experience in leading major transformation programmes
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential criteria
10. Highly developed analytical and judgement skills
11. Ability to interpret complex data and make sound decisions
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
12. Highly developed leadership skills
13. Ability to inspire, motivate and hold others to account;
14. Experience of managing performance, change, and complex people issues
15. Ability to balance decisiveness with engagement
16. Ability to manage ‘up’ as well as through line management and colleagues
Desirable criteria
17. Coaching or mentoring qualification
Planning and Organising Skills
Essential criteria
18. Strategic thinker
19. Ability to plan over short, medium, and long‑term timescales
20. Ability to manage competing priorities
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
21. Highly developed communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
22. Ability to present complex information to a range of audiences
23. Skilled in conflict resolution and partnership working
Desirable criteria
24. Experience of media engagement
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
25. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
26. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications