At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational and strategic initiatives in the Women’s and Children’s Division.
- Company: Join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, a key healthcare provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities with new hospital developments and innovative care models.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care and service improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in NHS management and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 68852 - 79638 £ per year.
Main area: Women's and Children's
Grade: Band 8b
Contract: Fixed term: 12 months (Commencing 1 July 2026)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 360-D-11287-A
Department name: West Herts - General Staffing
Site: Watford General Hospital
Town: Watford
Salary: £68,852 - £79,638 pa inc. HCA
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 03/06/ :59
Job overview: We are recruiting a Band 8b - General Manager to provide senior operational and strategic leadership within the Women’s and Children’s Division at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and Divisional leadership team, you will be accountable for the performance, delivery and continuous improvement of a complex portfolio of services. This role suits an experienced NHS operational leader with strong financial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills and a collaborative, values‑driven leadership style. You will play a key role in shaping service strategy, improving patient experience, delivering national targets and supporting a positive, inclusive culture across multidisciplinary teams. We offer the opportunity to influence real change, work with committed clinical leaders and contribute to the Trust’s vision of excellent patient care.
Main duties of the job: As General Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the operational, financial and workforce performance of your service portfolio. You will lead business planning, performance management and service improvement, working towards delivery of national and local targets, including RTT and waiting list standards. You will act as budget holder, develop cost improvement programmes and lead service development and business case approvals. Working in partnership with Clinical Directors, Matrons and senior managers, you will ensure high-quality, patient-centred services that meet governance and safety standards. You will provide visible leadership to management teams, support workforce planning and development, manage complex operational escalations and contribute to divisional and Trust-wide objectives. The post requires significant NHS management experience, strong analytical and financial skills, excellent communication abilities and the resilience to lead within a complex healthcare environment.
Working for our organisation: With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities: The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management, performance delivery and financial control of a defined portfolio within the Women’s & Children’s Division. Key responsibilities include service planning, performance management against national and local targets, budget management, workforce oversight and delivery of service improvement initiatives. The role works in close partnership with Clinical Directors, Matrons, Heads of Department and corporate teams including Finance, HR, Governance and Strategy. The General Manager will support effective governance, manage operational risks and escalations and contribute to Trust-wide priorities and transformation programmes. The core working hours are Monday to Friday; however, flexibility is required to meet service needs. This may include occasional extended hours and attendance at meetings outside of normal working patterns. Full details will be discussed at interview.
Person specification:
- Education: Education to degree level or equivalent qualification. Studying for/plans to study management qualification. Evidence of continuing professional development including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes.
- Knowledge: Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on services. Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy.
- Experience: Operational management experience in an Acute NHS organisation. Experience of managing several complex NHS services, preferably within the Acute Sector.
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire. As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Band 8b - General Manager, Women's and Children's in Watford employer: Westhertshospitals
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a real impact on patient care within the Women's and Children's Division. With a strong focus on staff wellbeing, professional development, and innovation in healthcare, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative initiatives while collaborating with dedicated clinical leaders. The Trust's commitment to inclusivity and its exciting plans for future developments make it a rewarding place to advance your career in the NHS.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 8b - General Manager, Women's and Children's in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the NHS or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust and its values. Understand their vision for patient care and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to operational management and service improvement. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 8b - General Manager, Women's and Children's in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of General Manager in the Women’s and Children’s Division. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style shine through! Share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed complex projects, or improved services in your previous roles. This is your chance to demonstrate your collaborative and values-driven approach.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your achievements and skills. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Westhertshospitals
✨Know Your NHS Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges and changes facing the NHS, especially in women's and children's services. Being able to discuss these issues and how they impact service delivery will show your understanding of the role and its context.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your collaborative and values-driven leadership style. Think about times when you've successfully led teams through complex operational challenges or improved patient experiences, as this aligns with the Trust's vision.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with budget management and cost improvement programmes. Highlight specific instances where you’ve made financial decisions that positively impacted service delivery, as this is crucial for the General Manager role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve effectively managed relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Prepare to share strategies you've used to engage clinical directors, matrons, and other key players, as strong stakeholder management is essential for success in this position.
