Job requirements
Essential
18 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Skills
Ability to present and narrate highly complex data
- Skills
Able to analyse and understand complex financial and operational data
- Skills
Proven inter and intra organisational influencing skills
- Skills
Ability to interpret, analyse and present highly complex data/information at Divisional Board level
- Skills
Ability to manage and resolve complex problem scenarios to a satisfactory conclusion
- Skills
Evidence of dynamic response to and implementation of solutions to both simple and complex challenges
- Skills
Ability to concentrate frequently whilst dealing with interruptions and moving quickly from one priority to another
- Skills
Sensitive to clinical and political demands
- Skills
Standard keyboard skills
- Skills
Interpret highly complex information concerned with professional, operational and clinical activities to inform decisions and make judgments on recommendations relating to future actions
- Skills
Stakeholder management working across boundaries and organisations overcoming resistance to change
- Knowledge and experience
Experience within the healthcare sector at senior manager level including acquired skills in people management, budget management and service delivery
- Knowledge and experience
Proven track record of achieving challenging healthcare performance targets
- Knowledge and experience
Experience of delivering complex programmes of change within a healthcare setting
- Knowledge and experience
IT skills to manage and report on highly complex performance management information
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent experience
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Evidence of extensive CPD maintaining up to date knowledge
Desirable
2 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge and experience
Experience of working in an Acute Teaching Hospital setting
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of the NHS in the acute sector
Job overview
Reporting directly to the Head of Operations, the Deputy Head of Operations will help oversee day-to-day business activities across multiple departments. You will support the planning, coordination, and execution of key operational strategies, ensuring that our systems, processes, and teams are aligned to meet organisational objectives.
This is a hands-on, leadership role that demands a strong operational mindset, excellent people management skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a proactive and strategic thinker with a solid background in operations management. You should be a confident communicator and proven leader, capable of influencing at all levels and making data-driven decisions.
- Support the Head of Operations in managing core business functions, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and high-quality service delivery.
- Lead operational teams to achieve performance targets and service standards.
- Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement.
- Identify and resolve operational issues, streamline processes and implement new systems where appropriate.
- Coordinate cross-departmental projects, ensuring timelines and goals are met.
- Provide leadership, mentoring, and development to team leaders and staff.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, company policies and best practices.
- Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, representing operations in high-level discussions when required.
- Deputise for the Head of Operations in their absence
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the Shortlisting Criteria section of the document.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Deputy Head of Operations with Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Kettering, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Operations manager role. The advertised salary is £79,504 - £91,609 per annum pro rata. The contract type is 6 months (Secondment). The application deadline is 23 Oct 2026.
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