Job overview
Deputy General Manager – Acute Medicine
Be part of one of the most ambitious Urgent and Emergency Care teams in the NHS.
At West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, our Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care services are recognised as national leaders in innovation, transformation and operational excellence. From pioneering digital solutions and AI-enabled patient pathways to leading to community diagnostics and integrated urgent care, we are challenging conventional thinking and shaping the future of urgent and emergency care.
Join us and help shape the next generation of Acute Medicine.
Main duties of the job
We are now looking for an exceptional Deputy General Manager to lead our Acute Medicine service into its next phase. You will join a high-performing, ambitious and supportive Triumvirate that believes in empowering people, embracing innovation and delivering outstanding patient care. We are a team that leads from the front, values compassion as highly as performance, and creates an environment where talented individuals are trusted to make a difference. This role offers the opportunity to:
- Lead operational performance across a dynamic Acute Medicine service.
- Develop innovative out-of-hours pathways that strengthen resilience and improve patient flow.
- Harness digital technology, predictive analytics and AI to transform workforce planning, capacity management and operational decision-making.
- Work alongside clinical leaders to maximise early discharge, reduce unnecessary length of stay and improve patient outcomes.
- Shape new models of care that integrate Acute Medicine with Emergency Medicine and the wider health and care system.
- Deliver large-scale transformation while maintaining an unwavering focus on quality, safety and patient experience.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Deputy General Manager (DGM) for Acute Medicine is responsible for providing tactical operational leadership across Acute Medicine, ensuring the safe, effective and efficient delivery of services whilst supporting patient flow across the wider Emergency Medicine footprint.
The post holder will lead the operational and business management of Acute Medicine, ensuring high-quality patient care is delivered within the resources available. They will work in partnership with the Clinical Director, Matron and clinical teams to deliver agreed performance standards, service improvements and strategic objectives.
The DGM is accountable for ensuring clear operational pathways are developed, implemented and continually refined to support efficient patient flow within Acute Medicine and across interfaces with the Emergency Department. They will ensure that pathways remain aligned with Trust policies, national guidance, and best practice, removing operational barriers that affect patient experience and performance.
The post holder will lead the development of robust operational systems that provide effective oversight during both normal working hours and out-of-hours periods, ensuring resilient escalation processes, clear operational ownership and timely decision-making.
Applicant requirements
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.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Strong understanding of the health and care sector including operational management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of national Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) standards, KPIs and performance improvement methodologies.
- Complaint Handling Budget control
Desirable
- Experience of both primary and secondary care organisations. Project management skills.
- Prior experience of working across two or more organisational boundaries.
Experience
Essential
- Previous NHS experience.
- Experience operating at a senior organisational level.
- Experience of using numerical analysis in problem solving.
- Experience of budgetary Management.
- Experience of producing business Cases
- Comprehensive knowledge of national Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) standards, KPIs and performance improvement methodologies.
- Demonstrable operational management experience, with experience managing large groups of staff.
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- Education to degree level within a relevant area e.g. management degree, clinical degree or equivalent experience.
- Post graduate management qualification or in the process of studying for.
Desirable
- Further relevant qualification
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Band 8a- Deputy General Manager, Emergency Medicine with West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Watford General Hospital. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £59,798 - £67,020 pa inc HCA. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 27 Aug 2026.
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