Divisional Director of Operations (DDO), Worthing

Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Location: Worthing, UK

Salary: £112,782 - £129,783 per annum

Closing date: 07/06/2026 23:59

Divisional Director of Operations (Medicine & Surgery Division)

Following the launch of our new target operating model and restructuring of our clinical divisions, we are seeking a Divisional Director of Operations for our Medicine Division and our Surgery Division. The DDO is a key role within the organisation and is responsible for operational management and leadership of a complex division in one of England’s largest acute hospital Trusts. A visionary leader who demonstrates an inclusive and engaging leadership style, you will balance operational delivery with quality and financial performance.

Main duties

• Day‑to‑day operational management ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery of services.
• Collaborate with the Divisional Managing Director, Medical Director and Nursing Director to achieve divisional and Trust objectives.
• Lead performance management, service delivery and operational improvement, supporting the development and implementation of operational strategic plans.
• Develop and implement the division’s strategy and business plan to support the Trust Annual Plan.
• Shape the Trust’s strategy and business plans, supporting overall implementation, enabling good cross‑divisional working and contributing to major strategic developments.
• Set clear objectives and performance standards for all services within the division, ensuring alignment with Trust‑wide goals and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery using KPIs, clinical outcomes and patient feedback, taking proactive steps to address underperformance, risks or emerging issues.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering teams to take ownership of their areas and encouraging innovation in service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with national and local standards, maintaining high levels of patient safety, quality and efficiency.
• Design robust operational frameworks that define processes, roles and responsibilities across the division, supporting effective decision‑making and resource allocation.
• Oversee the allocation and management of financial, human and physical resources, ensuring optimal use to deliver high‑quality care within budgetary constraints.

Person specification Knowledge and Skills

• Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional level in any relevant discipline.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Relevant specialist knowledge (Lean, continuous improvement, pathway redesign, digital improvement).
• Expert level knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and NHS England assurance frameworks.
• Good understanding of employment law, workforce policy, equality, diversity and inclusion obligations, information governance and data protection.
• Project management (e.g., Prince2).

Experience

• Extensive senior management experience in healthcare.
• Experience of managing multiple specialties.
• Demonstrable evidence of achievement in operational management roles.
• Experience of project and change management.
• Sound knowledge of NHS structure and targets.
• Demonstrable evidence of success in managing large teams and budgets.
• Experience in multi‑agency planning and service delivery.

Communication Skills

• Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information.
• Skilled in negotiation and influencing.
• Ability to present to large groups and write Board‑level reports.

People Management and Development

• Highly developed leadership skills.
• Experience of successful management teams and individuals.
• Experience of implementing people management processes.
• Coaching or mentoring qualification.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Highly developed numeric and analytical skills.
• Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of information.
• Ability to make sound judgements and decisions.

Planning and Organising Skills

• Strategic thinking; ability to plan over various timescales and adjust resources accordingly.

Freedom to Act

• Ability to make autonomous decisions on complex issues, often under pressure.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles, where appropriate.

UHSussex is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from all backgrounds are welcome.

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