Associate Director of Performance and Operations

Job overview

Are you looking to take your leadership career to the next level? At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we are embedding our exciting new Operating Model and placing the roles closest to patient care at the heart of decision-making. By creating clinically led, multidisciplinary leadership teams we can ensure decisions are informed by clinical expertise while keeping the operational expertise needed to run safe, successful services.

We are looking for experienced, forward-thinking leaders able to support the introduction of our new ways of working. You will be well supported with a bespoke personal development plan, and you will also have access to a range of development activities.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in decision-making, influence the future of patient services, and be part of a Trust-wide movement to embed clinical leadership at every levels.

Main duties of the job

The Associate Director of Performance and Operations for Surgery will support the Clinical Head of Division, and the Clinical Groups  Management Team to lead on matters relating to the operational delivery of the Hospital’s clinical and support services. Working within the Divisional triumvirate, they will advise on all operational matters to  drive through the delivery of ambitious targets to continually improve performance within the Clinical Group. Working with the Clinical Head of Division, they will contribute to the development of the Clinical Group  strategy and delivery of objectives.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring effective systems, processes and performance management arrangements are in place to deliver high standards of performance and quality of patient  services. This includes supporting both the Clinical Leaders and the Operational Managers to hold service lines to account, ensuring there is effective managerial support at all levels of the Clinical Group and  coordinating the effective day to day functioning of the Clinical Group. Driving service development, modernisation and innovation across the Clinical Group, promoting a culture of continuous service improvement is key to the success. They will provide strong visible leadership within the Clinical Group in support of the Clinical Head of Division.

On call requirements will be confirmed within Clinical Groups to align with the agreed Operating Model.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.   So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification.  This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’.  Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you.  This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive.  We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.  As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.  If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.