Operational Manager – Theatres, Pain and Private Patients in London

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Project Manager to lead the operational management and service improvement of Theatres, Pain Management Services and Private Patients within the Queen Square Division. The post holder will be responsible for leading the Theatre Productivity and Performance Programme, driving the delivery of the 6-4-2 productivity model and developing sustainable productivity initiatives to maximise theatre utilisation, improve patient flow and support the delivery of high-quality, efficient services.

In addition, the role will provide day-to-day operational management of Pain Management Services and Private Patients, ensuring effective service delivery, performance management and staff leadership. Working closely with clinical and operational teams, the successful candidate will lead service improvement programmes, monitor performance against key operational standards and develop innovative solutions to enhance patient pathways and operational efficiency.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and experienced leader with strong project management, operational and stakeholder management skills to make a significant contribution to the delivery of specialist services within one of the UK's leading NHS Foundation Trusts.

Main duties of the job

• You will lead the delivery of the Theatre Productivity and Performance Programme, driving the implementation of the 6-4-2 productivity model and identifying opportunities to improve theatre utilisation, patient flow and operational performance.
• You will provide operational leadership for Pain Management Services and Private Patients, managing staff, performance and service delivery to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care.
• Working collaboratively with clinical and corporate teams, you will lead service improvement initiatives, analyse performance data, manage competing priorities and support the delivery of strategic and operational objectives.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent leadership, project management and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, deliver sustainable change and foster a culture of continuous improvement within a complex healthcare environment.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Essential: Degree and/or an appropriate professional qualification or equivalent.
• Excellent IT skills including good working knowledge of MS packages.
• Specialist Knowledge across a range of work procedures.

Experience

• Essential: Previous managerial experience in a large and complex organisation preferably within the NHS.
• Proven experience in service improvement and development.
• Proven experience in effective management of budget and effective leadership of staff.
• Proven experience in business planning and in the development and effective implementation of complex strategic & operational plans.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of current issues and practices within the NHS.
• A proven record of success in managing change while also developing and maintaining high standards of quality.
• A strong track record of delivering large complex change programmes at scale.
• Demonstrated the ability to influence teams at all levels to embrace and deliver change, using effective communication, stakeholder engagement and a collaborative approach to achieve shared objectives.

Skills and Abilities

• Essential: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to liaise and negotiate effectively at directorate management team level.
• Proven track record of working under pressure to strict deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise effectively.
• The ability to both work co-operatively with both clinical and non-clinical staff including other management teams of the Trust and to develop effective working relationships within the directorate.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with ability to motivate and engage individuals and teams.
• Quality focussed with an innovative approach and the ability to solve complex problems.
• A strong understanding of multi-disciplinary issues and commitment to multi-disciplinary working.
• Evidence of political awareness and sensitivity to the high profile of the Trust.