We are seeking an ambitious, collaborative and experienced operational leader to join the Senior Leadership Team within our Surgical Division, providing leadership across a diverse portfolio of services including Audiology, Head & Neck (ENT, Oral Surgery, Ophthalmology and Orthodontics) and Urology .
As General Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across your portfolio, working in partnership with Clinical Directors, Lead Nurses, Matrons and multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, effective and high-quality services. You will be accountable for the operational, performance and financial management of your specialties, ensuring that divisional priorities are translated into clear plans, measurable outcomes and sustained delivery.
We are looking for an experienced NHS operational leader with a proven ability to build credible partnerships, influence across professional boundaries and deliver measurable improvements in performance. You will be comfortable overseeing complex service portfolios, developing and scrutinising recovery plans, using data to drive improvement and holding yourself and others accountable for delivery.
Based across Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital and occasionally Hemel Hempstead Hospital, the role requires approximately 80% on-site working and participation in the Senior Manager On-Call (Silver) rota.
A key focus of this role will be providing leadership and oversight of elective recovery and RTT improvement across the portfolio. You will work collaboratively with specialty teams to ensure robust recovery plans are developed, delivered and regularly reviewed, with clear trajectories, governance arrangements and accountability for delivery.
Using data and operational insight, you will oversee performance, identify risks and opportunities, provide constructive support and challenge, and ensure services remain focused on delivering sustainable improvements in access, productivity and patient outcomes. Alongside elective recovery, you will oversee programmes focused on service redesign, productivity and financial sustainability, ensuring operational priorities remain aligned with the division's longer-term strategic ambitions.
This role requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational leadership. You will establish clear expectations, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and build strong relationships that enable teams to deliver ambitious objectives. You will be confident leading through influence, using data to inform decision-making and creating an environment where improvement is owned collectively and delivery is consistently achieved.
Success in this role will be measured not only by improved operational performance, but by your ability to build high-performing teams, strengthen clinical partnerships and deliver sustainable improvements that enhance patient care, improve staff experience and leave services in a stronger position for the future.
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. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact
[email protected]
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.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Most importantly, you will be a collaborative and supportive leader who enjoys developing people, solving problems and creating the conditions for services to succeed.
The main duties for the post holder include but are not limited to providing:
Strategic Leadership:
- Lead the development of service improvement and business plans aligned with divisional goals.
- Introduce innovative management strategies to optimise efficiency across services.
Collaborate with community, social care, and academic partners to support broader healthcare objectives.
Operational Management:
- Track and report performance against national and local targets, driving improvements.
- Ensure that departments within your portfolio are meeting key service and quality standards.
- Lead weekly PTL meetings and support escalations to ensure smooth operations.
Financial Management:
- Oversee budgets, ensuring financial targets are met and income is optimised.
- Contribute to cost improvement initiatives and business case development for service reconfigurations.
People Management:
- Ensure the workforce is effectively planned and resourced with the right skills to meet service demands.
- Lead, motivate, and develop teams to support continuous performance improvement.
- Oversee recruitment, appraisals, and staff development.
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Regularly engage with clinical teams, staff, and senior management to ensure transparency and align objectives.
- Address sensitive issues, manage complaints, and ensure effective communication throughout the team.
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
- Proven experience in a senior operational or managerial role within healthcare.
- Strong understanding of financial management, performance targets, and budget oversight.
- Ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent communication skills and experience working in multidisciplinary teams.
Alongside responsibility for your specialty portfolio, you will participate in the Divisional Tactical Operational Leadership rota, providing senior in-hours operational leadership for patient flow across the Surgical Division. Working closely with Clinical Directors, Matrons and operational colleagues, you will support the coordination of patient flow, oversee operational escalation where required and contribute to the safe, effective and efficient delivery of services across the division.
The role is based across Watford General Hospital , St Albans City Hospital and, occasionally, Hemel Hempstead Hospital . Given the nature of the role, on site presence is essential (approximately 80% of working time). Whilst we support flexible working wherever possible, we are unable to consider applications below 0.8 WTE due to the operational requirements of the post.
This role will also be required to participate in the Senior Manager on call rota – Silver.
Interviews will be held in person at the Watford site.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.
