Job overview
This is a fixed-term post for 9 months to provide maternity leave cover and aim to start in December 2026 or January 2027. The Operations Manager is responsible, in partnership with Clinical and Service Leads, for the effective strategic and operational management of Theatres and Anaesthetics and associated services. The postholder will ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective patient services within the resources available and will provide senior leadership across operational performance, financial management, workforce, theatre utilisation and service improvement.
The postholder will work closely with clinical leaders and the General Manager to develop and deliver the service strategy in line with divisional and Trust priorities. This includes identifying opportunities for clinical innovation and modernisation, redesigning services to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and deputising for the General Manager as required.
Main duties of the job
Areas of management responsibility
- Day Stay Unit
- 23-hour ward
- Main Theatres
- Pre-Operative Assessment
- Anaesthetics
Strategic leadership and planning
- Act as a key member of the Divisional Senior Management Team, working with clinical and managerial colleagues to shape and deliver clinical and non-clinical services, with particular responsibility for Theatres, Anaesthetics and associated operative services.
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the services in line with divisional and Trust strategy and improvement programmes, translating strategic priorities into clear service plans and objectives.
Operational service management
- Maximise the safe and effective utilisation of operating theatres, introducing strategies to minimise delays, cancellations and avoidable downtime and to support the smooth running of each theatre.
- Lead service innovation and the development of service agreements in line with national, system and local priorities.
- Work with the Clinical Lead for Anaesthetics to support the effective management of the medical workforce and the job-planning process.
- Lead and participate in service redesign, expansion and redevelopment projects, using effective project and change-management approaches.
- Ensure operative services are delivered efficiently and effectively within allocated resources and are kept under continuous review.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s on this page
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
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.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge/understanding of confidentiality issues
- Service quality and quality management
- Current changes and developments within the NHS.
- Change management theory
Skills / Abilities
Essential
- Able to make and take sometimes difficult decisions after analysis of options and implications
- Highly developed communication skills (written, oral, presentational and interpersonal)
- Experience of achieving significant cost reduction at a service and Divisional level
- Experience of implementing change management projects to develop or improve services
- Experience of business case preparation, presentation and implementation
- Managing a range of staff groups
- Substantive general management experience in the NHS, in an acute setting
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Management Qualification
Trust Values, Equal Opportunities & Other Requirements
Essential
- Understanding and demonstration of the Trust Values
- Commitment to providing improvement to services for patients
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Operations Manager - Theatres & Anaesthetics with Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £75,328 - £86,114 p.a. incl. pro rata. The contract type is Fixed term: 9 months (Maternity leave cover). The application deadline is 18 Aug 2026.
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