Associate Director of Operations

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will take strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of all patient services within your portfolio. You will ensure the highest standards of care while meeting demanding national and local performance targets, including RTT and Cancer waiting times. Alongside this, you will help shape the long‑term direction of your division, aligning service development with the Trust’s strategic ambitions.

The Women & Children’s division is seeking an Associate Director of Operations who embodies our values and behaviours. We are looking for someone who brings energy, visibility and authenticity to their leadership; someone who inspires professionalism, openness and a culture where staff feel empowered to deliver outstanding, compassionate care every day. This is a rare opportunity to influence and transform the future of surgical services at a time of significant growth.

• Take strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of all patient services within your portfolio.
• Ensure the highest standards of care while meeting national and local performance targets such as RTT and cancer waiting times.
• Shape the long‑term direction of the division, aligning service development with the Trust’s strategic ambitions.
• Lead services at the heart of demographic growth, driving innovation to meet rising need and ensuring families receive safe, timely and compassionate care.
• Set and deliver a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision together with the Divisional Director and Divisional Chief Nurse.
• Close monitoring and analysis of Divisional budgets to inform the Trust Executive Committee on areas of concern and mitigation to achieve financial balance.
• Act as a broker/bridge between health economy‑wide decisions and operational delivery, contributing to the Trust’s strategy and aspirations.

Hours:

Full time, 37.5 hours per week. Band: 8d. Salary range: £91,342 to £105,337 per annum, pro rata.

Please note:

we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Probation: all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period of six months, with an option to extend for a further six months (total of 12 months).

• Free on‑site parking including EV charging
• Complimentary refreshments
• Flexible working arrangements
• Discounted gym membership
• Salary‑sacrifice car scheme
• Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
• On‑site nursery (charges apply)
• A wide‑ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
• VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial wellbeing

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff, and we welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees will have their original documents verified. By applying for this role, you accept that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred to other NHS organisations where your employment transfers.