Deputy Director of Operations

Job overview

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 and community services. As we respond to increasing demand, deliver transformational change and strengthen integrated working across primary care, local authorities, provider collaboratives and the wider health and care system, we are seeking an exceptional Deputy Director of Operations to join our senior leadership team.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this pivotal role will provide strategic and operational leadership across a complex portfolio, driving improvements in flow, performance, quality, safety and productivity. The postholder will shape the future of services, lead innovation and transformation, support operational and financial objectives, and ensure meaningful involvement of service users and carers in service development. The role offers the opportunity to represent the Trust at senior system forums and work collaboratively across Sheffield and South Yorkshire to improve outcomes.

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and resilient leader with a strong track record of delivering improvement in complex healthcare environments. This is an opportunity to join an organisation committed to inclusion, continuous learning and improving outcomes, grounded in our values of working together, being respectful and kind, being inclusive, and keeping improving.

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trust’s inpatient mental health services, ensuring safe, effective and high-quality care. You will lead performance, patient flow, access and discharge, while driving improvement and transformation to deliver better outcomes for service users and carers.

Working with clinical leaders, local authorities, commissioners and system partners, you will develop integrated pathways and innovative models of care, representing the Trust across local and regional partnerships and helping shape the future of mental health services.

You will provide visible and compassionate leadership to senior teams, ensuring strong governance, financial stewardship, workforce management and performance. The role requires a resilient and influential leader who can manage complexity, lead significant change and build a culture of continuous improvement.

We are seeking an experienced senior leader with strong healthcare and social care knowledge, excellent partnership skills and a proven track record of delivering improvement, managing resources and leading high-performing teams. You will demonstrate our values of Working Together for Service Users, Respect and Kindness, Everyone Counts, Commitment to Quality and Improving Lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.