Director of Services

Job summary

We are looking for an exceptional Director of Services to help shape the next chapter of Dorking Healthcare. As a member of our Board and Executive Team, you will lead services and functions that are central to the quality, resilience and future success of our organisation.

Your responsibilities will include Outpatient Services, Talking Therapies, Governance, Human Resources, and IT and Digital. You will bring together people, quality, performance, technology and transformation to deliver excellent patient care and sustainable organisational performance.

At DHC, you will have the opportunity to lead across organisational boundaries, influence strategy at Board level and create lasting improvements for patients and staff. We offer a role with genuine breadth, autonomy and purpose, suited to a visible and compassionate leader who shares our commitment to quality, inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job

As a member of the Executive Team and Board of Directors, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio of clinical and corporate services. You will lead high-performing teams, drive service improvement and innovation, oversee major transformation programmes, and ensure the organisation delivers excellent outcomes for patients, partners and staff.

The role combines Board-level influence with hands-on leadership, requiring strong commercial awareness, the ability to build effective system partnerships, and a focus on identifying new opportunities for growth and diversification. You will play a key role in shaping the future direction of Dorking Healthcare while helping create a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture.

This role will include regular travel (DHC sites, meetings, etc.), full UK driving licence and a car will be essential.

About us

Dorking Healthcare (DHC) is an ambitious, clinician-led healthcare organisation providing high-quality services across Surrey and Sussex. We are committed to improving patient outcomes, expanding access to care and developing innovative services that support the changing needs of our local communities. As an NHS provider and trusted system partner, we combine the values of the NHS with an entrepreneurial approach that enables us to grow, adapt and make a real difference.

Our culture is collaborative, inclusive and values-led. We bring together talented clinical and corporate professionals who are passionate about delivering excellent care and supporting one another to succeed. People at DHC are encouraged to contribute ideas, challenge constructively and take ownership of improvement and innovation.

Working at DHC offers the opportunity to make a visible impact in an organisation where decisions can be translated quickly into action. You will work alongside experienced leaders, clinicians and partners across the health and care system, helping to shape services for the future. In return, we offer a supportive environment, opportunities for professional growth, flexible and collaborative working, and the chance to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values its people as much as its patients.

Details

• Date posted: 04 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: Depending on experience TBA with successful candidate
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: U0103-26-0057
• Job locations: Holmhurst Medical Centre, 12 Thornton Side, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 2NP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full job description document included in the Supporting Information section.

Job Purpose

The Director of Services is a Board Director with executive responsibility for the operational leadership, strategic development, governance oversight and performance of DHC's clinical services and specific corporate support functions.

The postholder will provide executive leadership across Outpatient Services, Talking Therapies, Governance, Human Resources and Information Technology and Digital Transformation.

They will also lead on projects to diversify DHC into new areas of work creating additional income streams away from our traditional commissioners.

Working as a member of the Executive Team and Board of Directors, the Director will ensure services are safe, effective, financially sustainable, patient-centred and aligned with DHC's strategic objectives and NHS priorities.

The postholder will direct service transformation, quality improvement, workforce development and digital innovation, ensuring DHC maintains high standards of clinical and corporate governance and meets its regulatory, statutory and contractual obligations.

Overall leadership outcome

A coherent, well-led portfolio in which strong operational delivery, quality, people, governance and digital capability support excellent patient care and sustainable organisational performance.

Key Working Relationships

• Chair and Board of Directors
• Chief Executive Officer and Executive Team
• Medical Director, clinical leads and service leaders
• Consultants, clinicians and the wider DHC workforce
• NHS commissioners and system partners
• Primary Care Networks, GP practices and provider organisations
• Regulators, professional advisers, suppliers and technology partners
• Patients, carers and community representatives

Principal Responsibilities

Board and Corporate Leadership

• Serve as a Director of DHC and contribute fully to Board strategy, decision-making, assurance and corporate governance.
• Support the Board in defining and delivering DHCs strategic objectives, organisational vision and values.
• Provide clear, timely and evidence-based performance, quality, workforce, digital and risk reports to the Board.
• Lead the development and implementation of operational and transformation strategies across the portfolio.
• Act as an ambassador for DHC and build effective relationships across the Surrey & Sussex health and care system.
• Demonstrate collective corporate responsibility for the leadership, reputation and long-term sustainability of DHC.

Operational Leadership

• Provide visible executive leadership for all services and functions within the portfolio.
• Ensure services achieve agreed contractual, financial, operational, workforce and quality objectives.
• Lead service mobilisation, redesign, transformation and continuous improvement programmes.
• Drive productivity, efficiency, standardisation and effective use of resources while protecting quality and safety.
• Ensure a consistent focus on patient experience, access, outcomes and equality.
• Oversee business continuity, emergency preparedness and operational resilience arrangements within the portfolio.

Outpatient Services

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for DHCs outpatient services.
• Ensure delivery against agreed activity, access, waiting time, quality, workforce and financial plans.
• Lead the development, improvement and sustainable growth of outpatient pathways.
• Build strong working relationships with consultants, clinical leads, commissioners and provider partners.
• Promote innovation and pathway redesign to improve access, productivity, patient experience and outcomes.
• Ensure outpatient services comply with relevant contractual, clinical, information and regulatory requirements.

Talking Therapies

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for DHCs NHS Talking Therapies service.
• Ensure delivery against applicable national standards, commissioned requirements and agreed performance measures.
• Support effective workforce planning, recruitment, retention, supervision and professional development.
• Lead service improvement that strengthens access, outcomes, equity and patient experience.
• Ensure robust clinical governance, safeguarding, quality assurance and risk management arrangements.
• Promote effective integration and partnership working with primary care, mental health and community services.

Governance and Risk Management

• Act as Executive Lead for Governance and ensure that effective clinical and corporate governance systems operate across DHC.
• Ensure robust arrangements for quality assurance, risk management, internal control and organisational learning.
• Oversee organisational compliance with Care Quality Commission requirements, NHS standards, data protection legislation, information governance and other statutory obligations.
• Oversee systems for complaints, incidents, claims, safeguarding, audit, policy control and quality improvement.
• Promote a culture of openness, candour, accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the Board Assurance Framework, organisational risk registers and supporting assurance processes are maintained and effective.
• Coordinate proportionate organisational responses to significant incidents, regulatory concerns and material risks.

Human Resources and Organisational Development

• Provide executive leadership for the HR function and lead the development of a workforce strategy aligned with DHCs objectives.
• Promote an inclusive, compassionate, values-led and high-performing organisational culture.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning and talent development.
• Lead organisational development, leadership development, staff engagement and change programmes.
• Oversee employee relations, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and workforce policy.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, relevant NHS employment standards and DHC policies.
• Ensure that workforce information and assurance support sound Board and management decision-making.

IT, Digital and Information Governance

• Provide executive leadership for IT, digital services and digital transformation.
• Develop and implement an IT and digital strategy that supports DHCs clinical, corporate and growth objectives.
• Ensure infrastructure, systems, support, cyber security and supplier arrangements are reliable, resilient and proportionate.
• Lead adoption of digital solutions that improve patient care, access, workforce experience and operational efficiency.
• Oversee information governance, data protection, digital risk and records management assurance.
• Champion data quality, business intelligence and the effective use of information in decision-making.
• Ensure appropriate prioritisation, governance and benefit realisation for digital investment.

Diversification

• Work with other Directors to identify opportunities for diversification with new sources of income and profit.
• Oversee assessment of each opportunity to identify opportunities worth pursuing.
• Ensure robust project planning for initiation of each opportunity with identified leadership.
• Monitor roll out and delivery of opportunities against agreed criteria to decide whether to expand offering or cease the initiative.
• Report to the Board on opportunities and performance.

Financial and Commercial Responsibility

• Manage delegated budgets and ensure services operate within agreed financial plans and controls.
• Work with finance colleagues and service leaders to improve forecasting, productivity and value for money.
• Identify and assess opportunities for service development, growth, efficiency and income generation.
• Contribute to business cases, bids, tenders/procurement, contract negotiations and service expansion decisions.
• Ensure financial consequences, benefits, risks and resource requirements are reflected in Board recommendations.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Act at all times in accordance with DHCs values, policies, delegated authorities and standards of conduct.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and respect in employment and service delivery.
• Protect confidentiality and ensure appropriate handling of personal, clinical and commercially sensitive information.
• Comply with health and safety, safeguarding, infection prevention, data protection and information security requirements.
• Maintain personal professional development and ensure mandatory requirements are completed.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role, as reasonably required by the Chief Executive Officer or Board.