We are partnering with a leading Acute NHS Trust in the Midlands to appoint an Interim Divisional Director of Operations for Planned Care. This is a key executive-level leadership position within the Trust, working within a triumvirate leadership team and responsible for strategic and operational oversight of a high-profile division at a time of significant transformation.

The post is available immediately and offered on a fixed-term contract (Band 9). Hybrid working is available, with an expectation of at least 3 days per week on-site presence.

Role Overview:

As Divisional Director of Operations for Planned Care, you will lead the delivery of safe, high-quality, and efficient patient services across Critical Care, Theatres and Planned Care specialities and associated pathways.

You will drive operational performance, patient experience, and workforce engagement while managing a substantial divisional budget and supporting the Trust’s broader strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide senior operational leadership across all Planned Care Group services, demonstrating behaviours of accountability and collaboration;
• Develop and implement a clear operational structure and delivery model aligned to Trust and national priorities;
• Lead delivery of key access and performance standards (including Theatre Utilisation, RTT targets and quality indicators);
• Ensure the implementation of national clinical guidelines, NICE standards, and CQC compliance;
• Drive the division’s transformation and quality and performance improvement agenda, including significant theatres improvement initiatives.
• Own divisional financial performance, delivering efficiency programmes and ensuring budgetary control;
• Lead on business planning, establishment control, capital planning, and income generation;
• Manage a multidisciplinary team of senior managers, clinical leads, and service heads;

Candidate Profile:

Essential:

• Extensive experience in a senior operational leadership role within an NHS acute provider, ideally within Planned Care;
• Strong track record of managing large, complex clinical services and multidisciplinary teams;
• Demonstrable experience in delivering high-profile operational targets and performance metrics;
• Proven leadership in operational financial management, workforce planning, and service transformation;
• Strategic mindset with the ability to manage across boundaries and influence stakeholders at all levels;
• Skilled in using data, analytics, and insight to inform decision-making and service development;
• Educated to degree level with a postgraduate qualification (e.g., MSc, MBA, or equivalent experience).

Desirable:

• Experience working across ICBs and regional systems;
• Background in managing Planned Care and Theatres transformation;
• Evidence of successful delivery of large-scale service improvement programmes.
• Able to demonstrate politically astute leadership through change.