We are seeking an experienced and dynamic General Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across our Paedatrics and Neonatal Units within UHN. Working in close partnership with Clinical Directors and the Deputy Head of Nursing, you will play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality service delivery.
The successful candidate will bring a proven track record in leading complex projects within an acute healthcare setting, along with exceptional attention to detail, resilience under pressure, and a commitment to continuous improvement. You will be responsible for day-to-day operational delivery, financial performance, and long-term planning to ensure business continuity and service resilience.
This is a six month secondment opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
Provide operational leadership across designated service lines, ensuring the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of clinical services.
Collaborate with clinical leads to develop and implement service strategies with clear goals and measurable outcomes.
Lead robust financial and capacity planning to meet performance targets and support long-term sustainability.
Ensure business continuity and maintain resilient service delivery frameworks.
Drive service improvements, foster a culture of innovation, and uphold high standards of patient care and staff engagement.
Who We're Looking For
Substantial experience at a senior operational level within an acute NHS setting.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage complex challenges and competing priorities.
Demonstrated success in delivering large-scale change and service improvement.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
We are seeking an experienced and driven General Manager to provide strong leadership and operational oversight for key specialty areas within the Division. Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will be responsible for strategic planning, service delivery, financial performance, workforce leadership, and continuous improvement across your designated services.
As a senior member of the Directorate Management Team, you will work closely with clinical and corporate colleagues to ensure the highest standards of patient care, safety, and performance. You will also contribute to cross-organisational and system-wide transformation initiatives.
Main Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
Lead the operational and strategic development of designated specialties within the Division.
Develop and deliver business plans aligned to Trust priorities and the Integrated Business Plan.
Promote innovation and share best practices to improve service effectiveness and quality.
Ensure Trust policies and service improvement initiatives are successfully implemented at directorate level.
Service Delivery & Transformation
Oversee high-quality, patient-centred services that are safe, efficient, and evidence-based.
Lead on service redesign and improvement programmes to enhance clinical outcomes, reduce waiting times, and increase operational efficiency.
Interpret national and local guidance to anticipate service demands and develop strategic responses.
Performance & Financial Management
Ensure services meet national standards, KPIs, and constitutional targets.
Implement systems to monitor performance and develop solutions for underperformance.
Manage budgets for specific service areas, support delivery of CIPs, and contribute to divisional financial planning.
Governance & Risk
Embed a strong culture of clinical governance, patient safety, and risk management.
Ensure services meet CQC and licensing standards and maintain robust systems to handle complaints and incidents.
Support the development and implementation of the Division’s annual governance plan.
Workforce & Staff Development
Lead on workforce planning to ensure the right staffing, skills, and training are in place.
Support managers in delivering effective HR practices including appraisals, sickness absence, and staff engagement.
Promote a culture of accountability, development, and continuous improvement.
Research, Education & Teaching
Promote research, audit, and clinical education within service areas in alignment with Trust strategies.
Ensure compliance with mandatory training and promote lifelong learning across teams.
Communication & Partnership Working
Maintain effective two-way communication within services and with key stakeholders internally and externally (e.g., ICBs, local authorities, universities).
Foster collaborative working relationships with clinical leaders, service users, and partner organisations.
Additional Responsibilities
Participate in the Trust’s senior management on-call rota.
Travel between hospital sites (e.g., Kettering and Northampton) as required.
