The closing date is 25th Jun 2026
/*generated inline style */
Anticipated Interview date(s) 7 August 2026
/*generated inline style */
Job summary
Due to internal movement, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust as Interim Service Group Director for Surgical Services on an 18 month fixed term secondment. This is one of the Trust's most senior operational leadership roles, reporting directly to the COO.
You will lead a large, complex surgical service group, providing strategic and operational leadership to over 3,000 colleagues. As the accountable officer, you will take responsibility for performance, quality, governance and finance, while shaping the future of surgical services across Somerset.
Our Trust is unique as a fully integrated provider, delivering acute, community, mental health and LD services. This is an opportunity to lead end to end patient pathways across organisational boundaries with real impact on designing and delivering care. We are committed to service transformation and neighbourhood working, partnering across our system to improve outcomes.
This is a significant leadership opportunity during a period of transformation. You will champion inclusion, collaboration and improvement, ensuring the patient voice is central.
Selection process Stage 1 will be a face-to-face Situational Judgement Test on 14 July. This practical assessment will test your decision making, prioritisation and leadership approach. Successful candidates will progress to Stage 2 on 7th August, with a presentation to a stakeholder panel and formal interview.
This process is supported by AI for consistency and fairness.
/*generated inline style */
Main duties, tasks & skills required
Main Duties of the Role
- Leadership and Strategy: Develop and implement long-term strategic plans and establish clear goals for the service group.
- Management and Accountability: Oversee clinical/non-clinical performance, governance, quality, financial management, and human resources.
- Culture and Transformation: Promote a culture of care aligned with trust values and lead significant transformation efforts with system partners.
- Patient and Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the voices of patients and their families are incorporated into service delivery and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
- Financial Management: Manage the budget, ensuring financial accountability and sustainability, and lead cost improvement plans.
- Team Development: Recruit, support, and develop colleagues to meet service needs and promote a culture of inclusiveness and collaboration.
________________________________________
/*generated inline style */
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
/*generated inline style */
Job description
We're looking for an experienced leader with a track record of success in a similar role.
Essential Experience
- A master's level education or equivalent experience with a postgraduate qualification in health service management or equivalent.
- Extensive experience leading large, multi-professional teams across complex clinical services
- In-depth knowledge of the current performance and quality environment for surgical services.
- Proven strategic planning, innovation and continuous improvement skills.
- Strong financial management abilities.
- Demonstrable experience of managing challenging and high-risk operational situations within the NHS, with expert understanding of the full surgical pathway and interdependencies across clinical services
- Demonstrable experience of managing theatres and productivity, with strong understanding of theatre efficiency, utilisation and productivity improvement
- The successful candidate will have in-depth knowledge of elective recovery, patient access standards and flow management across acute pathways
- Previous experience of transforming services whilst maintaining strong financial control.
- Demonstrated success in quality and safety improvement initiatives.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Exceptional leadership and team development capabilities.
/*generated inline style */
Person specification
/*generated inline style */
Qualifications
/*generated inline style */
Essential
Master's level education or equivalent experience
Postgraduate qualification in health service management or equivalent experience
/*generated inline style */
Experience
/*generated inline style */
Essential
Senior operational management experience in managing surgery within an acute context at directorate manager or deputy directorate manager level
Demonstrable experience of managing challenging and high-risk operational situations within the NHS, with expert understanding of the full surgical pathway and interdependencies across clinical services
Demonstrable experience of managing theatres and productivity, with strong understanding of theatre efficiency, utilisation and productivity improvement
The successful candidate will have in depth knowledge of elective recovery, patient access standards and flow management across acute pathways
Previous experience of transforming services whilst maintaining strong financial control
A proven track record of delivering required performance standards and trajectories
Demonstrated success in quality and safety improvement initiatives
An in depth understanding of modern surgical pathways and services
Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and information from a range of sources and to use this as the basis for planning future service delivery and tactical strategy
/*generated inline style */
Additional Criteria
/*generated inline style */
Essential
A team player with strong relationship-building skills with a wide range of stakeholders
Analytical skills to develop practical solutions to complex problems
Strategic and tactical planning capabilities
Leadership and influencing skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
/*generated inline style */
For help with your application, contact:
Andy Heron
[email protected]
07867141428
/*generated inline style */
Pay scheme
Agenda for Change
/*generated inline style */
Band
Band 9
/*generated inline style */
Salary
/*generated inline style */
£112782.00 to £129783.00 Yearly
/*generated inline style */
Contract
Fixed Term
/*generated inline style */
Duration
18 Month(s)
/*generated inline style */
Working pattern
Full-Time
/*generated inline style */
Reference number
184-OL-OR-5284
/*generated inline style */
Job locations
Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5DA
/*generated inline style */
Yeovil District Hospital
Higher Kingston
Yeovil
Somerset
BA21 4AT
/*generated inline style */
