Band 8d - Deputy Director of Operations, Medicine

Are you an ambitious operational leader who can combine strategic thinking with a practical focus on delivery? This is an opportunity to lead a broad and complex portfolio of medical services, shape the future of patient care and make a tangible difference to the communities we serve.

We are seeking a Divisional Director of Operations - Medicine to join our senior operational leadership team. Working alongside the Divisional Director and senior nursing leadership, you will provide visible, compassionate leadership and take responsibility for operational delivery, performance, financial management and service improvement across the Medicine Division.

Our division spans specialist medicine, care of older people and frailty, and interventional specialties including cardiology, respiratory medicine and gastroenterology. With services across Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, alongside our Virtual Hospital model, the role offers scope to improve inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic pathways and develop care closer to home.

Main duties of the job

You will bring substantial senior operational management experience in a complex healthcare environment, with a track record of delivering performance improvement, managing resources and leading change. You will understand how to turn strategy into action and how to sustain improvement through effective teams, sound governance and constructive relationships with clinical colleagues.

We are looking for someone who is credible, collaborative and confident in making decisions; able to challenge constructively, navigate competing priorities and maintain focus under pressure. Just as importantly, you will be a visible and approachable leader who develops others, listens to patients and colleagues, and creates the conditions for teams to deliver their best work.

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require