Deputy Associate Director of Operations
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job overview
Deputy Associate Director of Operations
Department: Core Clinical
Full-time 37.5 hours per week, Band 8c, £74,290 - £85,601 per annum, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven operational manager to join our Core Clinical Division in the role of Deputy Associate Director of Operations.
Working with an engaged team of dedicated healthcare professionals including the Clinical Director, Clinical Leads and Heads of Service, you will support and develop services, focusing on Performance and delivery of Key Performance Indicators, whilst maintaining financial performance.You will be responsible for the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality care to our patients as well as progressing the portfolio of services within a business focus environment.
You will ideally have healthcare or NHS experience and possess a strong track record of operational delivery, strong financial management and skills, coupled with effective leadership skills. You will also have the ability to develop strong, productive and collaborative relationships both internally and with key stakeholders.
Informal discussions are welcome prior to application submission - please contact Jonathan Loasby, Director of Operations, Core Clinical at [email protected]
Interview date: 4th March 2025
We are unable to sponsor this role
Main duties of the job
Together with other posts in the Divisional "Triumvirate": Sets and delivers a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU (Clinical Service Unit) strategy and vision that enables the delivery of the Trust Objectives, whilst improving the service for patients.Together they influence the Trust's future. The postholder will work autonomously, interpreting policies and practices, advising the Triumvirate on how to apply these in practice across the division.
- Establish relationships with the internal and external staff groups and stakeholders to facilitate robust service delivery, successful development of clinical services utilising best practice methodologies.
- Establish effective relationships with clinical staff and other stakeholders to assist with ensuring financial targets and cost improvement programmes are delivered to agreed budgets.
- Work with other service/directorate leaders in the achievement of corporate objectives.
- Lead on the delivery of the CSUs strategies in terms of service development and project management to secure the strategic transformation required. This will involve communicating highly contentious information with staff groups such as movement of services and the prioritisation of services to deliver the best patient care. Refined interpersonal and influencing skills will be required to manage these challenging discussions
Working for our organisation
"An outstanding 92% stated that their role significantly affects patients and service users" (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Creating a vision:
- Together with other members of the Divisional Triumvirate set, deliver and clearly communicate to staff a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision that enables delivery of the Trust strategy.
Delivering the Trust's Strategy:
- Contributing to the implementation of the Trust’s vision and strategy at Management Board level through the development of the Divisional strategies.
- Develop and agree the strategic plans that place patient care at the heart of the service, ensuring that these are translated into achievable operational plans for the CSU's
Human Resource Management:
- Management responsibility for recruitment, retention, disciplinary and grievance, and all staffing issues within the directorate/services.
- Provide support and advice to junior managers directly managed.
Financial Management:
- Ensure that the CSUs/services manage expenditure (including recharges from other Divisions) by achieving agreed income targets or reducing expenditure accordingly.
- Responsible for ensuring that the CSUs/services are appropriately supported to deliver allocated cost improvement targets, developing realistic plans and monitoring and reviewing their implementation.
Service Delivery:
- Responsible for leading and developing the operational team to ensure that the PTL system is kept up to date and accurate to enable appropriate management of the demand. Escalation of constraints and works with services to develop an action plan to resolve.
- Lead and develop the operational team to undertake demand and capacity, keeping the relevant models / systems up to date. Holding the operational team to account for delivery of these on an ongoing basis.
Improving the service:
- Responsible for and leads on the divisional wide service improvement projects aligned to CSU strategies aimed to improve service quality, performance and patient experience i.e. Screening services, HSDU, Pathology and Pharmacy. Working closely with all major internal (division/Trust) and external stakeholders (Outsourcing / insourcing companies etc) to deliver the benefits.
Working with others:
- Actively seek opportunities for quality, efficiency and other performance.
- Work within the Divisional Triumvirate in a truly “multidisciplinary” way, flexibly supporting colleagues and taking on the appropriate share of joint responsibilities and workload.
Communication:
- To help establish and maintain effective two-way channels of communication within the division.
- To maintain lines of communication with other operational managers in the Trust and wider healthcare community if appropriate to ensure that services are integrated.
Health & Safety:
- All staff will take care of own safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
Other duties:
- Required to participate in the Trust's Manager on call rota.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria- Masters Degree or management knowledge acquired through training and experience equivalent to masters level
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE II
Experience
Essential criteria- Significant specialist experience in an operational management post in the NHS
- Proven and demonstrable track record of meeting national targets
- Knowledge and understanding of the duties imposed one the Trust by legislation, NHS policy and priorities and the requirement of corporate governance
- A clear understanding of the modernization agenda, the opportunities for redesigning services and the tools and techniques for achieving service change
- Senior experience of developing demand forecasting and continuous business planning and programme / project management programmes resulting in positive value for money outcomes.
- Proven success in man aging operational change, whilst maintaining high standards of quality
- Must have significant experience in managing staff. Show evidence of good financial and staff management
- NHS experience in a senior manager role with significant experience of dealing with complex issues
- Demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects
- Proven success in business planning and in the development and implementation of complex strategic plans
- Proven ability to be a transformational leader.
- Financial management experience, managing budget and business cases, identifying cost improvement plans and transformation projects
- Analysis and data manipulation and interpretation of complex data sets
Skills/ Communication
Essential criteria- Evidence of highly developed leadership skills proven to be a role model, a networker, a strategist and a motivator.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal skills and authority; to be able to successfully foster and manage inter-relationships between own division & other directorates.
- Ability to create a common purpose and install organisational values and behaviours that promote the cooperate vision.
- Influential and credible communicator with excellent networking and negotiating skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- High level of interpersonal and organisational skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines
- Ability to communicate highly complex, and sometimes sensitive information to a broad range of audiences.
- Ability to influence Senior NHS staff, managers, and executives.
- Strong organisational ability and well developed resource and staff management skills; able to forecast, plan, develop and manage capability with business plans.
- Demonstrate sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more Directors when appropriate
- Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and make difficult decisions.
- Excellent keyboard user with the ability to manipulate using Power Point, Excel and use of Microsoft Teams/
- A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets
Personal and people development
Essential criteria- Self-assured, self aware and emotional intelligence
- The ability to be flexible in attitude, to use initiative and work well within a team.
- Demonstrate commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.
- Work across boundaries, look for the collective success, listen, involve, respect and learn from the contribution of others.
- Demonstrate commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations.
- Actively develops themselves and others, is self motivated and enthusiastic.
- Possesses personal resilience and the ability to provide emotional support.
- Able to present a highly professional image , with integrity and credibility.
- Experience of managing and developing others
- Evidence of creative and inspirational approach to problem solving
- Evidence of ability to be a credible leader
- Able to motivate self and team
Specific requirements
Essential criteria- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Effective team worker
- Attention to detail
- Organised and resourceful
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.