Managing Director, Sussex Pathology Network (SPN): Sponsorship Available

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Job summary

The Managing Director for the Sussex Pathology Network will provide senior strategic, transformational and operational leadership to develop safe, sustainable and resilient pathology services across Sussex. Working with the Sussex Pathology Board, Trust partners, clinical leads, NHS England and the ICB, the post holder will shape the network’s operating model, governance and long-term strategy, translating shared ambitions into deliverable plans with clear outcomes and measurable benefits.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior NHS leader with strong strategic, political, financial and relationship-building skills, able to influence across organisational boundaries, manage ambiguity and build a collaborative network culture. They will provide visible and inclusive leadership, champion innovation and improvement, and ensure effective stewardship of public resources

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Master’s degree or equivalent senior level experience
  • Postgraduate management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

  • Master’s-level understanding of pathology scientific disciplines

Experience

Essential

  • Significant senior leadership experience within the NHS or Pathology Services
  • Significant, senior experience in NHS or pathology services operational and/or business leadership (with oversight of operations, quality and finance)
  • Experience leading large-scale transformation in complex, multi organisational environments
  • Proven ability to lead without direct authority across multiple organisational boundaries
  • Experience establishing new teams, operating models or governance structures
  • Strong programme and project management experience
  • Experience managing large budgets
  • Experience presenting to senior stakeholders in sensitive or political contexts

Desirable

  • Experience leading transformation within pathology services

Skills

Essential

  • Highly developed political and strategic skills
  • Ability to build trusted relationships and wide support networks
  • Strong decision-making in ambiguous or incomplete information environments
  • Ability to manage conflict, diffuse tension and navigate contentious issues
  • Strong analytical skills, including financial and performance analysis
  • Ability to plan across short, medium and long-term horizons
  • Effective delegation and matrix leadership
  • Commitment to digital innovation and new ways of working
  • Ability to promote equality, diversity and inclusion

Desirable

  • Understanding of pathology service delivery, accreditation and regulatory frameworks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 1 September 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.