Job overview
Ready to lead real change in a high-impact clinical portfolio? We are looking for an ambitious and driven Deputy General Manager to join our Surgical Division, leading Trauma, Orthopaedics and Pain services.
This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to shape services that directly improve patient outcomes.
At West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, you’ll be joining a high-performing organisation on an exciting transformation journey.
We are proud HSJ Award winners 2025 – Trust of the Year and Performance Recovery, with national recognition for our improvement and performance in A&E waits. Alongside this, our major Acute Redevelopment Programme and investment in digital innovation are reshaping how care is delivered.
You’ll work alongside inspiring clinical leaders and in a dynamic team to drive performance, innovation, and sustainable improvement.
We’re looking for a confident, collaborative leader who can challenge constructively and deliver results.
This role requires regular time on site (80%) and cannot be fully remote.
The Trust is supportive of flexible working and requests will be considered in line with the needs of the service and working patterns across the team.
Interviews will be held in person at the Watford site.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy General Manager will lead the operational and business management of Trauma, Orthopaedics and Pain services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care within available resources.
With a strong operational focus, you will oversee day-to-day service delivery, driving performance against key targets including RTT, and leading recovery through effective demand and capacity planning.
You will work in close partnership with Clinical Leads and senior nursing colleagues to ensure services are responsive, efficient, and continuously improving.
This role requires a proactive, solutions-focused leader who can operate both independently and collaboratively to drive service transformation and deliver sustainable improvements.
You will provide line management to administrative managers and service managers within the specialties and take responsibility for ensuring administrative functions are effective, efficient, and fit for purpose.
The post holder will also manage service budgets, including revenue, workforce establishment, and cost improvement programmes, ensuring financial sustainability alongside high-quality care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Lead operational management of services to meet RTT, cancer, and performance targets.
Develop and own, action plans and strategies to improve performance, reduce waiting times and deliver excellent quality care.
Manage budgets, resources, and performance against financial and activity plans.
Drive service development, improvement projects, and cost efficiency programmes.
Ensure robust governance, risk management, and quality standards.
Provide visible leadership, manage staff, and support training and development.
Use data and information systems to monitor, report, and improve performance.
Foster effective communication and engagement with clinical teams and stakeholders.
Represent the service/division and support cross-divisional working.
Lead change programmes, motivating teams and ensuring delivery of service improvements.
Lead on delivery of service KPIs, specialty strategies, and divisional business plans.
Develop business cases, negotiate service agreements, and contribute to commissioning of services.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Strong understanding of the health and care sector including operational management.
- RTT management
- Understands admissions and outpatient services and processes
- 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.
- Experience of managing RTT targets and Cancer waiting times.
- Demonstrable operational management experience, with at least years 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, Surgery with West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Watford, East of England, England. 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 20 Jul 2026.
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