Job overview
Operational Manager
Department: Surgical Division Band: 8a £57,528 - £64,750 per annum (pro rata if part-time) Fixed term or secondment until 30 October 2027 Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced NHS operational leader to join Milton Keynes University Hospital as an Operational Manager. The role is responsible for elective capacity and patient flow, supporting front door activity, and delivering service improvements to achieve Trust and national performance targets. Working closely with clinical, operational and corporate teams, you will identify opportunities to improve patient pathways, maximise capacity and enhance elective performance.
Key responsibilities include leading the Admissions team, improving theatre booking and utilisation processes, reducing cancellations, and optimising elective capacity. You will collaborate with stakeholders to address operational challenges and drive productivity initiatives, including high-volume, low-complexity services and dedicated ‘super day’ models.
We are seeking a dynamic, collaborative and solutions-focused leader with a passion for improving services, maximising efficiency and delivering excellent patient outcomes
Interview date: week commencing 14 September 2026
We are unable to sponsor this role
Main duties of the job
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
'They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%' 'NHS Staff Survey 2024'
The Operational manager will be responsible for the overall management of the Clinical Service Unit (CSU) working alongside the CSU Lead, Clinical Leads and Nursing leads for the relevant Specialties to deliver high quality, efficient and effective services to the population of Milton Keynes.
The post holder will be expected to support the development and delivery of service strategy, together with ensuring appropriate risk management processes are in place to deliver a safe, high quality, financially efficient (including CIPs, budget management) patient centred service.
Provide cross-trust liaison, ongoing support and managerial direction to staff in response to internal and external pressures that may affect throughput/ flow of patients through the Trust.
Support the CSU Lead and Clinical Leads in delivering key performance targets, in line with local and national arrangements.
Provide operational leadership and work as part of the operational team to cross cover where required.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University Hospital
The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.
MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.
As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.
With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.
Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
Managing Services
Ensures efficient and effective delivery of services for the achievement of quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness and improved clinical outcomes. Supports the implementation of the CSU risk management and clinical governance policies and systems effectively, ensuring a proactive approach to reducing clinical risk, whilst maximising clinical effectiveness within a safe and healthy environment.
Improving Services Ensuring patient safety through assessing and managing the risk to patients associated with service developments, balancing economic considerations with the need for patient safety. Critically evaluating through being able to think analytically, conceptually and to identify where services can be improved working individually or as part of a team.
Working with others In partnership with clinical colleagues, supports the delivery of commissioned levels of service within allocated resources, to meet activity targets and to develop action plans to manage any variances. Builds and maintains relationships through listening, supporting others, gaining trust and showing understanding.
Staff Management
Manage timely and effective recruitment and retention of staff. Ensure appraisal is carried out for all staff and training needs are identified.
Business Planning and Management
Lead on strategies / plans for the development of services as required in conjunction with the CSU Lead. Analysing and interpreting complex data to deliver well-presented information.
Financial Budgetary Management
Work with clinical coding to ensure accurate and appropriate capturing of activity being undertaken within the services. Regular review and monitoring of budgets and investigating variances with a view to identify mitigating actions.
Please refer to the attached job description for further information
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets.
- Proven ability to deal with wide range of data and information and take appropriate decisions from it.
- A proven ability to come up with flexible and creative solutions to difficult problems
- Excellent collaborative working skills and able to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and professional staff groups
- Proven ability to influence and change those groups
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – ability to negotiate, influence in difficult and contentious situations
- A strong commitment to openness, honesty and inclusiveness
- Working knowledge of MS Office for typing, amending and proof-reading documents
- Self-management/Personal integrity
- Ability to analyse complex problems and develop practical solutions
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to challenge and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders
Experience
Essential
- Significant specialist experience in an operational management post in the NHS
- Proven track record of meeting national targets and KPIs
- Knowledge and understanding of the duties imposed on the Trust by legislation, NHS policy and priorities and the requirement of corporate governance
- A clear understanding of the modernisation agenda, the opportunities for redesigning services and the tools and techniques for achieving service change.
- Proven success in managing operational change, whilst maintaining high standards of quality
- Significant experience of managing staff
- Demonstrate evidence of sound financial/staff management
- NHS experience in a senior manager role with significant experience of dealing with complex issues
- Demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects
- Proven success in business planning and in the development and implementation of complex strategic plans.
- Proven experience of partnership working- internally and externally
Communication
Essential
- Promotes the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams
- Builds and maintains sound relationships within teams and with colleagues in other areas including corporate departments
- Supports teams to continually review services and seek improvements
Specific requirements
Essential
- Service and Project Management
- Service and Quality Improvement
- Financial Management
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Masters or equivalent level qualification in management and /or demonstrable training and experience in health service. • Practical and theoretical knowledge of o Financial management, HR Management, performance management of key performance indicators (inclusive but not limited to 4 hours, 18 weeks), Business and contingency planning, project management including largescale change-management
- Knowledge of the key drivers and political environment which the NHS operates and is conversant with the relevant national policies.
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE II
Personal and people development
Essential
- Self-confident and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate
- Makes sustained effort in making a difference to how services are planned and delivered, overcoming obstacles and set backs.
- Displays a strong motivation and commitment to success
- Ensures personal, professional behaviour and integrity at all times
- Delegates appropriately setting clear and achievable targets and monitoring against required outcomes
- Develops constructive relationships and networks within the organisation and outside
- Ensure that the success of individuals and teams is recognised and valued
- Able to use a range of management styles as appropriate.
- Experience of managing and developing others
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Operational Manager- Admissions/pre Assessment with Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Admissions Admin Team (Dept). It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57528.00 to £64750.00. The contract type is 12 months (fixed term or secondment). The application deadline is 04 Sep 2026.
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