Wessex Pathology Network Managing Director: Sponsorship Available

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Do you want to lead the creation of one of the most ambitious pathology partnerships in the NHS?

The seven Trusts of the Wessex Pathology Network have committed to a bold vision: During 27/8 we will establish a single, high-performing pathology organisation serving almost three million people across Hampshire, Dorset, Salisbury and the Isle of Wight. This is subject to approval by the 7 Trust Boards. We are now seeking an exceptional Network Managing Director to turn that vision into reality.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a major NHS transformation from the ground up. You will lead the transition from a successful collaboration to a fully established network, delivering a complex programme of change, securing approval for a landmark business case across seven Trust Boards, and creating the foundations for a sustainable, high-quality pathology service for the future and take on the ongoing management of the service.

Reporting to the Network Owners’ Board and working alongside the Network Clinical Director, you will provide visible, strategic leadership across multiple organisations, building trusted relationships, aligning diverse stakeholders and driving delivery at pace.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • MBA or equivalent level of knowledge of leadership, strategy and management theory
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

  • Formal training or accreditation to doctorate level in pathology scientific disciplines, or equivalent experience
  • MSc or equivalent level understanding of pathology scientific disciplines. Registration with HCPC

Experience

Essential

  • Significant senior leadership experience within a pathology, diagnostic, healthcare or similarly complex operational environment
  • Evidence of direct involvement in service redesign, innovation and change management
  • Experience of leading organisational change and development across organisational and professional boundaries
  • Experience of managing complex budgets, business cases, performance improvement and cost improvement programmes
  • Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams and senior management teams

Desirable

  • Successful experience of planning, developing and managing complex healthcare-related services with a safety and quality-critical portfolio
  • Experience of operating within a hosted network, collaborative provider model or multi-organisational governance Structure
  • Experience of research, innovation or commercial partnership development

Trust Values

Essential

  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

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: 26 August 2026

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