Deputy Director of Operations – Surgery

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Surgery Division, at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The role of the Deputy Divisional Director of Operations is to be responsible for the strategic and operational management and delivery of all services and contracts within their portfolio. The role comprises of the day-to-day operational delivery of sustainable, high-quality services, maintaining and delivering against all performance targets and standards, as well as leading and overseeing the development and implementation of business cases and plans, whilst ensuring in partnership with the transformation team, the implementation of the service redesign programme.

This role requires significant engagement and working in collaboration with a number of different stakeholders, including commissioners, acute, primary care, and mental health providers as well as the public, voluntary and community sector organisations. The post holder is expected to provide visible leadership and promote high standards by modelling the values and behaviours expected of a senior manager in the NHS. They will have a professional and management line of accountability to the Divisional Director of Operations and Performance.

Please note, this Recruitment Process will include an Assessment Centre which will take place on 5th August 2026.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the efficient and effective day-to-day running of their portfolio within the Division; ensuring the delivery of key operational performance targets (finance, activity, workforce and quality/safety). Working in partnership with the Divisional and wider leadership team, the Deputy Divisional Director of Operations will be responsible for the provision of leadership and direction for all services within their portfolio. This will include delivery of local and national targets as well as operational service objectives. As Deputy Divisional Director of Operations, the post holder will work as part of a dynamic team in delivering an effective service supporting clinicians, managers and other staff across the organisation. The post holder will develop and role model strategic and operational practice for promoting strong leadership and innovation across the specialities within their portfolio.

Person Specification

Values

Essential

  • We are kind
  • We are open
  • We are inclusive

Qualifications

Essential

  • Masters Level Education or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of recent professional and / or managerial Development experience

Desirable

  • Professional qualification or equivalent experience
  • Management qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Substantial leadership and operational management experience in a medium/large acute hospital.
  • Significant senior management experience within a complex service provider organisation
  • Experience of managing clinical services.
  • Demonstrably track record of achievement of performance management improvement and delivery at a senior management level.
  • Involvement in NHS service

Skills

Essential

  • Advanced IT skills including experience with Microsoft Office
  • Ability to develop and deliver effective business and operational plans which are financially sound.
  • Proven ability to plan/implement effective projects and work- streams.
  • Ability to write and present Board papers which are meaningful and concise.
  • Sound financial management skills and proven experience of managing resources and budgets effectively.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 26 July 2026

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