Operational Manager (Theatres, Anaesthetics & Critical Care)

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Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us. Find out more - Why Choose CHFT?

Our Future Plans

The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/

Job overview

Are you an experienced and dynamic operational leader looking for your next challenge? We have an exciting opportunity for an Operational Manager to join our team and play a vital role in the effective and efficient delivery of services within Theatres, Anaesthetics, and Critical Care.

Main duties of the job

As an Operational Manager, you will be responsible for providing visible and strategic leadership, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and driving continuous improvement across CHFT's theatres and associated services. Reporting to the General Manager, you will work collaboratively with senior clinicians, department leads, and other stakeholders to optimise patient care and operational performance.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a trust that has received national recognition for its innovation and service improvement within theatres.

Working for our organisation

CHFT is nationally recognised for its innovation and commitment to delivering exceptional care. The Trust has received recent national recognition for its innovation and staff engagement in delivering theatre productivity improvements and reducing waiting times for patients:

• The Economist: The story of one NHS operation
• NHS Providers: Value for Money Excellence
• BBC One Show
• Sky News
• Secretary of State for Health & Social Care

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will take the lead in ensuring our theatres operate efficiently, meeting national and local performance targets while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. This role will see you at the heart of our theatre operations, overseeing scheduling, and ensuring that services run smoothly and effectively every day.

Beyond the day-to-day, you will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and service improvement within our theatres. We have established a renowned model for delivering theatre improvement through our Specialty Theatre User Groups (STUGs), and you will become a key part of this.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual with:

• Proven experience in operational management and service improvement within a healthcare setting.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and motivate teams - both clinical, operational and administrative.
• A track record of managing budgets, performance targets, and service improvements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to analyse complex data and produce detailed reports to inform decision-making.
• Experience in conflict resolution and managing staff performance.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree level or equivalent qualification/equivalent level of experience
• Keeps abreast of national and local developments in health and social care and local data e.g. survey data on quality outcomes

Desirable criteria

• Recognised management qualification
• Evidence of postgraduate study and continuous professional development

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience in an operational/patient care management post within the NHS
• Evidence of excellence innovation and achievement in management practice
• Evidence of sound appreciation and achievement in management of financial targets and budgetary management; operational/business planning; waiting list management and contract monitoring as appropriate to role
• Evidence of successful operational leadership and effective involvement in change management
• Experience in dealing with Senior Medical/Nursing staff
• Experience supporting the delivery of internal and national NHS operational targets

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of successful operational leadership and effective involvement in change
• Evidence of successful involvement in production of clear business cases

Communications & Relationships

Essential criteria

• Has self-confidence and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate
• Displays a strong motivation and commitment to success
• High level of verbal communications skills, including the ability to make effective formal presentations and informal approaches to a wide range of audiences
• High level written communication skills and able to adapt style and method as appropriate to include the ability in report writing, responding to complaints
• Treats all people equally and with respect
• Ensures personal, professional behaviour and integrity at all times
• Able to deal effectively with challenging or sensitive staff issues, e.g. performance, within Trust processes and legislative frameworks
• Able to use a range of management styles as appropriate, including a coaching style
• Significant experience working in / with theatres within an acute NHS provider

Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that's why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact ask.recruitment@cht.nhs.uk for assistance.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• JD & PS (PDF, 336.4KB)