Theatre Allocations And Recruitment Lead

We currently have an opportunity for a dynamic, flexible and self-motivated RN / RODP to join our theatre team at the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This role is ideal for those who are ready for a challenge, enjoy working in a busy environment and those looking to challenge themselves in a Band 7 role. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe and effective deployment of the theatre workforce across our busy operating theatre complex.

Working closely with the Theatre Matron, Theatre Operations Manager and multidisciplinary teams, you will lead workforce allocation, workforce planning and recruitment activities, ensuring that our patients receive safe, high-quality care every day. As the operational lead for theatre staffing, you will coordinate workforce deployment across all theatre areas, ensuring the right staff, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time.

You will also play a key role in workforce development, staff wellbeing, recruitment, retention and service improvement.

The Theatre Allocations Lead is a key member of the Theatre Leadership Team and is responsible for the operational management, workforce planning and allocation of staffing resources across the Theatre Complex. The post holder will ensure the effective deployment of Scrub Practitioner and Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) resources to maintain safe staffing levels, appropriate skill mix and efficient theatre utilisation across all perioperative areas.

The post holder will also provide occasional cover for Anaesthetic Practitioner staffing management in the absence of the Anaesthetic Team Leader. The post holder will provide leadership for workforce planning, recruitment and retention initiatives, and will lead the recruitment, selection and on-boarding of Nursing and Healthcare Support Worker staff within the Theatre Department. Working closely with the Theatre Matron, Theatre Operations Manager, Theatre Team Leads, Specialty Managers and multidisciplinary teams, the post holder will support the delivery of safe, effective and responsive perioperative services while ensuring efficient use of staffing resources and compliance with Trust policies and professional standards.

The post holder will maintain a visible clinical presence within the department and act as an expert perioperative practitioner, role model and professional resource for staff.

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us. We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care.

Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley. We work in partnership with Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding.

We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure. To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video:  Adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Date posted: 27 October 2026

Pay scheme:
Agenda for change

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