Deputy Director of Operations

Job summary

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SHPU) is an ambitious, values-led organisation with a growing reputation for delivering high-quality mental health, learning disability & community services, underpinned by strong partnerships, innovation & a commitment to continuous improvement. As we continue to respond to increasing demand, deliver transformational change & strengthen integrated working across primary care, local authorities, provider collaboratives & the wider health & care system, we are seeking an exceptional Deputy Director of Operations to join our senior leadership team.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this pivotal role will provide strategic and operational leadership across a complex portfolio of services, leading improvements in flow, performance, quality, safety and productivity. The postholder will play a key role in shaping the future of services, driving innovation and transformation, supporting the delivery of key operational and financial objectives, and ensuring the meaningful involvement of service users and carers in service development. The role also offers the opportunity to represent the Trust at senior system forums and work collaboratively with partners across Sheffield and South Yorkshire to improve outcomes for the populations we serve.

We are looking for an experienced, compassionate and resilient leader with a strong track record of delivering improvement within complex healthcare environments.

Main duties of the job

you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trusts inpatient mental health services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care. You will lead service performance, patient flow, access and discharge arrangements, while driving service improvement and transformation to achieve better outcomes for service users and carers.

Working closely with clinical leaders, local authorities, commissioners and wider system partners, you will develop integrated pathways and innovative models of care that supportrecovery, quality and operational excellence. You will represent the Trust within local and regional partnerships, helping shape the future of mental health services and strengthening collaborative working across health and social care organisations.

You will provide visible and compassionate leadership to senior teams, ensuring strong governance, financial stewardship, workforce management and performance delivery. The role requires a resilient and influential leader who can manage complex challenges, lead large-scale change programmes and create a culture of continuous improvement.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a strong understanding of healthcare and social care services, excellent communication and partnership-working skills, and a proven track record of delivering improvement, managing resources and leading high-performing teams. Most importantlyyou will demonstrate our values.

About us

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

Its important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are all very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Details

• Date posted: 14 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 9
• Salary: £112,782 to £119,583 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: C9457-26-0235
• Job locations: Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Centre Court, Atlas Way, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S4 7QQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

The Deputy Director of Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across the Trusts inpatient mental health portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the post holder will lead the delivery of safe, effective, responsive and sustainable services, ensuring that patients, carers and families receive high quality care and support. The role has accountability for operational performance, patient flow, quality improvement, transformation, workforce leadership, governance and financial stewardship across a diverse range of inpatient services and associated pathways.

The post holder will work as a key member of the senior leadership team and will contribute to the development and delivery of the Trusts strategic objectives. They will provide visibleleadership, ensuring that operational priorities are aligned with organisational goals and that services consistently deliver against quality, safety, performance and financial standards. The role requires close collaboration with clinical leaders, corporate colleagues and external partners to ensure services are integrated, efficient and centred on the needs of service users and carers.

Lead the strategic and operational development of inpatient services and associated pathways, ensuring services are responsive to current and future population needs. Provide leadership for operational performance, patient access, capacity management, patient flow and discharge arrangements to support the effective use of resources and achievement of organisational objectives. Drive the delivery of the Trusts operational priorities and ensure services contribute to improved patient outcomes, experience and quality of care.

Lead the implementation of service redesign and transformation programmes across the inpatient portfolio, ensuring that innovation, continuous improvement and evidence-based practice are embedded throughout services. Support the development of new models of care and oversee the implementation of transformation initiatives designed to improve efficiency, quality and patient experience.

Ensure that services operate effectively within agreed strategic, legislative and regulatory frameworks, maintaining compliance with national standards, contractual requirements and organisational policies. Regularly review performance and implement corrective actions where required to ensure delivery against agreed objectives and targets.

Provide effective leadership and direction to directorate leadership teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning and continuous improvement. Ensure clear priorities are established and communicated and that managers and teams are supported to deliver high quality services. Promote a culture that reflects the Trusts values and encourages openness, inclusivity and innovation.

Lead and support senior managers through complex operational challenges, organisational change and service development initiatives. Provide expert advice, challenge and support to ensure effective decision making and delivery of priorities. Maintain oversight of workforce performance and service delivery, taking action where necessary to address operational, quality or workforce concerns.

Act as a senior organisational leader, representing the Trust internally and externally and contributing to corporate decision making. Deputise for the Chief Operating Officer when required and contribute to Trust-wide operational planning, assurance and service delivery activities.

Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including Integrated Care System partners, local authorities, commissioners, provider collaboratives, primary care networks, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and otherDevelop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders includingIntegrated Care System partners, local authorities, commissioners, provider collaboratives, primary care networks, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and otherGovernance, Quality and Risk

Provide leadership and assurance for governance arrangements across the inpatient portfolio, ensuring effective systems are in place to manage risk, maintain compliance and support high standards of patient care. Oversee quality governance processes and monitor performance against agreed quality, safety and regulatory standards.

Lead on the identification, management and mitigation of operational and strategic risks. Ensure services are prepared to respond effectively to emerging risks, incidents and operational pressures and take responsibility for developing and implementing improvement plans where required.

Take a lead role in Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response arrangements, ensuring business continuity plans are effective and services comply with relevant legislation, national requirements and organisational policies.

Provide strategic oversight and management of delegated budgets, ensuring resources are utilised effectively and financial plans are delivered. Maintain accountability for budgetary performance, expenditure control and value improvement initiatives, ensuring the efficient use of public resources and achievement of financial targets.

Support the development of business cases, service development proposals and investment priorities, ensuring robust financial and operational planning underpins decision making. Monitor financial performance and implement recovery actions where necessary to maintain financial sustainability.

Provide leadership for workforce planning and development across the portfolio, ensuring services have the capacity, capability and skill mix required to meet service demands. Promote high performance, staff wellbeing and professional development through effective management arrangements and leadership practices.

Support the creation of a positive working environment where staff are engaged, empowered and able to contribute to service improvement. Ensure workforce policies and procedures are consistently applied and that staff receive appropriate support, supervision and development opportunities.

The post holder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Directors, and other senior leaders within the Trust. They will establish strong working relationships with Integrated Care System partners, commissioners, local authority colleagues, provider collaboratives, primary care networks, voluntary sector organisations and other external stakeholders. The role requires regular engagement with service users, carers, staff groups and partner agencies to support effective service delivery, strategic development and system-wide collaboration.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).