Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Operations Manager - Surgery and Anaesthetics

The closing date is 17 August 2025

Job summary

Are you an experienced and dynamic operational leader looking for your next challenge? We have an exciting opportunity for an Operational Manager to join our team and play a vital role in the effective and efficient delivery of services within the Head & Neck Directorate.

As an Operational Manager, you will be responsible for providing visible and strategic leadership, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and driving continuous improvement across CHFT's theatres and associated services. Reporting to the General Manager, you will work collaboratively with senior clinicians, department leads, and other stakeholders to optimise patient care and operational performance.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

You will take the lead in ensuring our Head & Neck services maintain the highest standards of patient care as well as meeting national and local performance targets. Beyond the day-to-day, you will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and service improvement within the Head & Neck Directorate.

What We Are Looking For:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual with:

o Proven experience in operational management and service improvement within a healthcare setting.o Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and motivate teams - both clinical, operational and administrative.o A track record of managing budgets, performance targets, and service improvements.o Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.o Ability to analyse complex data and produce detailed reports to inform decision-making.o Experience in conflict resolution and managing staff performance.

About us

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a trust that has received national recognition for its innovation and commitment to delivering exceptional care. For example, CHFT has received the following recognition for approach to delivering theatre productivity improvements and reducing waiting times for patients:

o The Economist: The story of one NHS operation https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/10/08/the-story-of-one-nhs-operation

o NHS Providers: Value for Money Excellence https://nhsproviders.org/providers-deliver-achieving-value-for-money/calderdale-and-huddersfield-nhs-foundation-trust

o BBC One Show https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002935k

o Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/this-nhs-trust-got-a-grip-of-its-waiting-list-can-others-around-the-country-do-the-same-

o Secretary of State for Health & Social Care https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/1876228022434742383

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

372-SURG1984

Job locations

CHFT

Acre Street, Lindley

Huddersfield and Halifax

HD3 3EA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Operational management, Leadership across all teams, transformation and project management, people and change management.

Please see job description for full details on roles and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Operational management, Leadership across all teams, transformation and project management, people and change management.

Please see job description for full details on roles and responsibilities.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Essential

  • Degree level or equivalent qualification/equivalent level of experience

Desirable

  • Recognised management qualification
  • Evidence of postgraduate study and continuous professional development

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Essential

  • Experience in an operational/patient care management post (preferably within the NHS)
  • Evidence of excellence innovation and achievement in management practice
  • Evidence of sound appreciation and achievement in management of financial targets and budgetary management; operational/business planning; waiting list management and contract monitoring as appropriate to role.
  • Evidence of successful operational leadership and effective involvement in change management
  • Experience supporting the delivery of national NHS operational targets
  • Able to deal effectively with challenging or sensitive staff issues, e.g. performance, within Trust processes and legislative frameworks
  • Able to use a range of management styles as appropriate, including a coaching style

Desirable

  • Experience in dealing with Senior Medical/Nursing staff
  • Experience in managing a team
  • Evidence of successful operational leadership and effective involvement in change management.
  • Evidence of successful involvement in production of clear business cases

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

  • Has self-confidence and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate
  • Displays a strong motivation and commitment to success
  • High level of verbal communications skills, including the ability to make effective formal presentations and informal approaches to a wide range of audiences
  • High level written communication skills and able to adapt style and method as appropriate to include the ability in report writing, responding to complaints
  • Treats all people equally and with respect
  • Ensures personal, professional behaviour and integrity at all times
  • Has self-confidence and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Essential

  • Degree level or equivalent qualification/equivalent level of experience

Desirable

  • Recognised management qualification
  • Evidence of postgraduate study and continuous professional development

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Essential

  • Experience in an operational/patient care management post (preferably within the NHS)
  • Evidence of excellence innovation and achievement in management practice
  • Evidence of sound appreciation and achievement in management of financial targets and budgetary management; operational/business planning; waiting list management and contract monitoring as appropriate to role.
  • Evidence of successful operational leadership and effective involvement in change management
  • Experience supporting the delivery of national NHS operational targets
  • Able to deal effectively with challenging or sensitive staff issues, e.g. performance, within Trust processes and legislative frameworks
  • Able to use a range of management styles as appropriate, including a coaching style

Desirable

  • Experience in dealing with Senior Medical/Nursing staff
  • Experience in managing a team
  • Evidence of successful operational leadership and effective involvement in change management.
  • Evidence of successful involvement in production of clear business cases

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

  • Has self-confidence and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate
  • Displays a strong motivation and commitment to success
  • High level of verbal communications skills, including the ability to make effective formal presentations and informal approaches to a wide range of audiences
  • High level written communication skills and able to adapt style and method as appropriate to include the ability in report writing, responding to complaints
  • Treats all people equally and with respect
  • Ensures personal, professional behaviour and integrity at all times
  • Has self-confidence and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

CHFT

Acre Street, Lindley

Huddersfield and Halifax

HD3 3EA


Employer's website

https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

CHFT

Acre Street, Lindley

Huddersfield and Halifax

HD3 3EA


Employer's website

https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

General Manager - Head & Neck Services

Natalka Batler

natalka.batler@cht.nhs.uk

01484342000

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

372-SURG1984

Job locations

CHFT

Acre Street, Lindley

Huddersfield and Halifax

HD3 3EA


Supporting documents

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