Associate Director of Operations (ADO) - Women & Children

Job overview

Associate Director of Operations (ADO) - Women & Children

Department: Women's & Children

Band: 8d.  £91342 to £105,337 Per annum, pro rata

Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you an exceptional operational leader ready to make a real impact in a dynamic and growing NHS Trust?

Milton Keynes University Hospital is seeking two influential senior leaders to join our operational leadership team: Assistant Director of Operations (Women’s & Children’s) and Assistant Director of Operations (Surgery).

These are pivotal roles at the heart of our organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will take strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of all patient services within your portfolio. You will ensure the highest standards of care while meeting demanding national and local performance targets, including RTT and Cancer waiting times. Alongside this, you will help shape the long term direction of your division, aligning service development with the Trust’s strategic ambitions.

The Women & Children’s division is seeking an Associate Director of Operations who embodies our values and behaviours. We are looking for someone who brings energy, visibility and authenticity to their leadership; someone who inspires professionalism, openness and a culture where staff feel empowered to deliver outstanding, compassionate care every day.

This is a rare opportunity to influence and transform the future of surgical services at a time of significant growth. Your leadership will help maintain patient safety and treatment effectiveness, enhance patient experience, drive service innovation and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.

MKUH is an ambitious and expanding hospital. We are delighted to be part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (building work is expected between 2027 and 2030) to create the new home will become the new home for paediatric and maternity care. More information about our site developments can be found here: Milton Keynes - New Hospital Programme - MK View

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If our values resonate with you and you are excited by the opportunity to lead, influence and deliver meaningful change, we would be delighted to hear from you.

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Main duties of the job

Milton Keynes is one of the fastest‑growing and youngest cities in the region, with the population increasing by 15% over the last decade and more than a quarter of residents aged 19 or under. Half of the city’s population is under 35, and 28% were born outside Milton Keynes, creating a vibrant, diverse and rapidly expanding community. For Women’s & Children’s services, this means sustained and increasing demand across maternity, neonatal, paediatric and family pathways. As Associate Director of Operations, you will be leading services at the heart of this demographic growth — shaping care for a young, diverse population, driving innovation to meet rising need, and ensuring families receive safe, timely and compassionate care. It is a role where strategic leadership has a direct and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the next generation.

Together with the Divisional Director & Divisional Chief Nurse As the Divisional “Triumvirate”, with the Divisional Director & Divisional Chief Nurse, you will set and deliver a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU (Clinical Service Unit) strategy and vision that enables the delivery of the Trust objectives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: This staff group feels strongly supported in maintaining a good balance between a home and work life, scoring 57.1%

Together with other members of the Divisional Triumvirate set, deliver and clearly communicate to staff a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision that enables delivery of the Trust strategy.

Close monitoring and analysis of Divisional budgets to inform Trust Executive committee (TEC) on areas of concern and mitigation to achieve financial balance.

Contribute to the strategy and aspirations of the Trust and acts in a manner consistent with the values. Acting as a broker/bridge between health economy wide decisions and operational delivery.

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system.  Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.   This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.