Operations Lead

Main duties and responsibilities Day-to-day operations Take the lead on day-to-day operations and make sure agreed service standards and performance measures are met. Keep simple and reliable systems for checking performance, staffing, capacity, risks and improvement actions. Prepare and update service development plans with clear actions, owners and deadlines. Keep operational policies and working instructions up to date and make sure staff understand them.

Support capacity and contingency planning so services can continue during busy periods or disruption. Deal with practical problems directly, keep clear records and escalate significant concerns promptly. Provide short, clear reports to the Director of Finance, Executive Team, Board or committees as required. Activity, demand management and reporting Monitor service activity and demand each day, identify pressure points and take practical action to support safe and timely service delivery.

Produce accurate and timely daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc activity and performance reports, including agreed key performance indicators. Check the quality and completeness of activity data, investigate unexpected results and work with colleagues to correct issues pare demand, activity, staffing and performance to identify trends, recurring pressures, seasonal patterns and areas where performance could improve. Provide clear analysis and practical insights to the Executive Team, Board, commissioners and operational meetings as required.

Use activity and demand information to support workforce planning, rota design and decisions about shift patterns, staffing levels and skill mix. Plan ahead for known peaks in demand, including bank holidays, winter pressures, seasonal changes and other service pressures. Recommend and implement agreed changes to staffing or operational processes where this is needed to improve performance or respond to demand.

Monitor the impact of changes and report whether they have improved capacity, performance, patient experience or value for money. Maintain clear records of performance issues, agreed actions, responsible owners and timescales, and follow actions through to completion. Workforce and rota management Take overall responsibility for workforce and rota management, working closely with the Operations Manager and clinical leads. Oversee the rota day to day and make sure shifts are filled with staff who have the right skills, training and authority to work.

Respond promptly to gaps caused by sickness, leave, changes in demand or other pressures. Escalate risks where safe cover cannot be secured. Maintain accurate staff, shift, availability and leave information in Rota Master and make sure changes are entered promptly. Act as the main organisational contact for the external Rota Master supplier, raise system issues, coordinate changes and make sure supplier support is effective.

Make sure Rota Master is used consistently, staff have suitable access and training, and data is accurate, secure and suitable for reporting and payroll. Plan rotas well in advance so normal demand, known peaks, seasonal pressures, bank holidays and staff leave can be covered safely and affordably. Use activity, demand and workforce information to identify future staffing needs and recommend changes to shift patterns, workforce capacity or recruitment plans.

Monitor temporary, bank and additional staffing, balancing safe cover, staff wellbeing and cost. Provide hands-on support with rota administration and staff communications, including cross-cover during leave or periods of pressure. Human resources Take overall responsibility for making sure the full HR function is delivered effectively. The external HR provider will give specialist advice, complex case support, legal updates and agreed services, but the post holder remains responsible for making sure work is completed.

Act as the main contact for the external HR provider, agree priorities, monitor response times and quality, and follow up actions. Keep a clear written agreement showing what MKUCS will do and what the external provider will do. Manage the full employment journey, including recruitment, checks, contracts, induction, probation, attendance, performance, conduct, family leave, flexible working, wellbeing, training, organisational change and leaving employment.

Make sure contracts, letters and changes to terms are accurate, approved and legally compliant, using specialist advice when needed.…