Job summary
University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is excited to offer a dynamic and hands-on opportunity to join our Graduate Management Training Scheme, which kicks off in September 2025.
Main duties of the job
We're seeking graduates who are eager to roll up their sleeves and thrive in a values-driven, fast-paced, and evolving workplace. If you're looking for a hands-on role where you'll be at the forefront of healthcare service delivery, this is the Graduate Management Training Scheme for you. Set to begin in September 2025, this is a unique opportunity to kickstart your career with one of the UK's largest and most respected NHS Trusts. You'll gain invaluable operational management experience, and a post graduate apprenticeship qualification.
As an aspiring operational manager within UHS, this is not a desk job. You'll be immersed in the day-to-day challenges of service delivery, working directly with frontline colleagues to solve problems and balance competing priorities to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. You'll gain valuable operational insight and experience the fast-paced, hands-on environment that powers one of the largest teaching hospitals in England.
You'll receive mentorship from a senior leader at UHS who will guide you through the programme. In addition to the work-based experience, you will also complete a formal operational management apprenticeship qualification and leadership programme with one of our national training partners.
About us
We are proud to be ranked among the top 5 acute and acute community Trusts for staff having opportunities to develop their career at UHS and for having opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills, according to the 2023 NHS staff survey. Our previous graduates have praised our development approach and the wealth of opportunities available to them, alongside the vast networking possibilities. As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England and a major trauma centre, UHS is at the forefront of award-winning care, groundbreaking clinical trials, and numerous UK-first initiatives. As a University Hospital, our learning and development opportunities are unparalleled, and we are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential. In addition to a fulfilling career, our staff enjoy a wide range of NHS-related benefits, including discounts from national retailers and local businesses across categories such as holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and more.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Were Looking For:During your recruitment journey, we will be evaluating your ability to:
- Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse teams across the Trust, with a strong emphasis on face to face communication
- Work effectively under pressure, supported by an encouraging and motivated team
- Analyse problems and develop practical, workable solutions
The person specification document, attached, outlines the essential and desirable skills and experience required to succeed in this role. For a detailed description of the day-to-day responsibilities, please refer to the full job description, also attached.
Essential Application Criteria:
- You will have, or be predicted to achieve, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject
- You will demonstrate UHSs core values of Working Together, Patients First, and Always Improving
Apprenticeship Criteria:These roles are funded by the Government Apprenticeship Scheme and do not offer visa sponsorship. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You should have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the past 3 years
- You must have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (for non-educational purposes) or hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Additional Information:
Key dates for our Graduate Recruitment and Assessment Programme:
- Application deadline: 14 March 2025 (Please attach, in one file, your CV including evidence of how you demonstrate our values)
- Online testing deadline: w/c 21st March 2025
- Pre-screening interview deadline: w/c 7th April 2025
- Virtual Assessment Centre : 29th April 2025
- Final Interview Panel and UHS visit: w/c 5th May 2025
- Programme Start Date: 1st September 2025 (non-deferable)
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications. We will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.
Job description
Job responsibilities
What Were Looking For:During your recruitment journey, we will be evaluating your ability to:
- Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse teams across the Trust, with a strong emphasis on face to face communication
- Work effectively under pressure, supported by an encouraging and motivated team
- Analyse problems and develop practical, workable solutions
The person specification document, attached, outlines the essential and desirable skills and experience required to succeed in this role. For a detailed description of the day-to-day responsibilities, please refer to the full job description, also attached.
Essential Application Criteria:
- You will have, or be predicted to achieve, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject
- You will demonstrate UHSs core values of Working Together, Patients First, and Always Improving
Apprenticeship Criteria:These roles are funded by the Government Apprenticeship Scheme and do not offer visa sponsorship. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You should have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the past 3 years
- You must have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (for non-educational purposes) or hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Additional Information:
Key dates for our Graduate Recruitment and Assessment Programme:
- Application deadline: 14 March 2025 (Please attach, in one file, your CV including evidence of how you demonstrate our values)
- Online testing deadline: w/c 21st March 2025
- Pre-screening interview deadline: w/c 7th April 2025
- Virtual Assessment Centre : 29th April 2025
- Final Interview Panel and UHS visit: w/c 5th May 2025
- Programme Start Date: 1st September 2025 (non-deferable)
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications. We will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of a 2:2 degree in any subject
- Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in operational management within a healthcare setting (to be acquired during placement)
Desirable
- Evidence of ongoing personal and professional development
Experience
Essential
- Proven ability to lead and supervise teams
- Capable of facilitating and executing policies, guidelines, and projects from initiation to completion
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial resources effectively
Aptitudes & Skills
Essential
- Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities
- Highly effective communication skills, including the ability to convey sensitive or complex information to diverse audiences and articulate ideas clearly and concisely; excellent written and presentation skills
- Ability to influence change and implement new concepts or ideas
- Skilled in problem analysis and developing practical, actionable solutions
- Proven ability to deliver projects and meet objectives while managing resources within agreed timelines
- Strong IT, data, and analytical skills, including proficiency in MS Excel for statistical reporting and analysis; capable of interpreting data and producing clear, concise reports
- Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative
- Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate, delegate, and be a team player
- Skilled in networking and building relationships across all levels
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Proven ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships
- Ability to remain calm and professional in all situations
- Reliable, proactive self-motivator
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of a 2:2 degree in any subject
- Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in operational management within a healthcare setting (to be acquired during placement)
Desirable
- Evidence of ongoing personal and professional development
Experience
Essential
- Proven ability to lead and supervise teams
- Capable of facilitating and executing policies, guidelines, and projects from initiation to completion
- Demonstrated ability to manage financial resources effectively
Aptitudes & Skills
Essential
- Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities
- Highly effective communication skills, including the ability to convey sensitive or complex information to diverse audiences and articulate ideas clearly and concisely; excellent written and presentation skills
- Ability to influence change and implement new concepts or ideas
- Skilled in problem analysis and developing practical, actionable solutions
- Proven ability to deliver projects and meet objectives while managing resources within agreed timelines
- Strong IT, data, and analytical skills, including proficiency in MS Excel for statistical reporting and analysis; capable of interpreting data and producing clear, concise reports
- Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative
- Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate, delegate, and be a team player
- Skilled in networking and building relationships across all levels
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Proven ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships
- Ability to remain calm and professional in all situations
- Reliable, proactive self-motivator
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
