Band 9 - Director of Operations

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 9 - Director of Operations

The closing date is 29 September 2026

This is an exceptional opportunity to join us a senior leader at one of the NHS's most ambitious and high-performing organisations. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the Trust's planned care strategy, driving excellence across elective services, diagnostics and cancer pathways. As a key member of the senior operational leadership team, you will lead large-scale transformation programmes, support delivery of national performance standards, and influence system-wide change to ensure patients receive timely, high-quality care.

Main duties of the job

At West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we are proud of our remarkable journey and the significant progress we have made in improving services for our communities. With award-winning performance, ambitious redevelopment plans across our hospital sites, and a relentless focus on operational excellence, there has never been a more exciting time to join us. You will work alongside a supportive and experienced executive team, collaborating with clinical and operational leaders to improve patient pathways, enhance productivity, reduce waiting times and deliver sustainable improvements in elective care.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award winning virtual hospital and re imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. If you have a disability or long term health condition and require support or guidance please If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

Job responsibilities

We are seeking an inspirational and accomplished operational leader with substantial senior management experience in a large, complex healthcare environment. You will bring a proven track record of delivering performance improvement, leading transformational change and building high performing teams. Most importantly, you will share our vision of Excellent Patient Care, Together, demonstrating the values of being empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. If you are passionate about making a lasting difference for patients and want to help shape the future of healthcare across West Hertfordshire and the wider system, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Person Specification Education

• Masters degree in a management related discipline or equivalent experience
• Evidence of management and leadership training and continuous professional development

Knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS Organisation and structures, business systems and the wider political environment
• Understanding of the business processes and systems in acute trusts.
• Knowledge of motivation, change and project management techniques and experience in their application in complex systems.

Experience

• Extensive leadership and senior management experience in a medium/large acute healthcare provider setting.
• Substantial management experience and achievement at operational level plus evidence of significant achievement in strategic level projects or work streams.
• Experience of and ability to manage complex operational situations that involve staff from all levels within the organisation and across a range of professional and organisational boundaries
• Proven record in leading and managing substantial service change and redesign in a complex environment.
• Detailed knowledge of current acute Trust issues and the regulatory Framework
• Proven record in working with multi agency committees and establishing relationships with external organisations
• Demonstrable track record of achievement of performance management improvement and delivery at a senior management level.
• Significant experience of budget and staff management
• Demonstrable understanding of quality and risk management issues and standards.
• Have substantial experience of preparing and presenting written briefings at a senior management level

Skills

• Ability to develop and deliver effective business and operational plans which are financially sound
• Skills in, and experience of, influencing and enabling others to perform, and of effective performance management
• Ability to operate effectively within difficult financial and performance challenges
• Professional, inclusive and credible leadership style.
• Demonstrable ability to use resources effectively and efficiently, and to maximise the skill set and experience of others.
• Skills in deploying a creative, evidence-based approach to provide and set direction.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups at a senior level across organisational boundaries and to act as a positive role model
• Ability to drive for and achieve results across a broad range of key outcomes, maintaining patient focus and a high level of personal integrity at all times.
• Ability to resolve conflict with teams and with users/stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Demonstrable evidence of problem solving, strategic leadership and decision making skills.
• Demonstrable ability to achieve demanding objectives against deadlines.
• Ability to write and present Board papers which are meaningful and concise.
• Evidence of highly developed influencing, communication and negotiating skills.
• Ability to plan ahead and manage the translation of strategic intent into operational reality
• Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, equality and diversity principles
• IT skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative
• Ability to work and remain calm in a busy environment
• Methodical with good attention to detail
• demonstrable skills in leadership and driving the strategic direction of a team
• High degree of interpersonal skills (listening, persuasion, negotiation, etc
• Good presentation and strong written and oral skills.
• Conceptual skills and application of concepts to practice
• Analytical and interpretive skills in data handling

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust