Job overview

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust is on a journey to become a high-quality, high-performing, patient-centred organisation, delivering timely, compassionate care while creating an exceptional environment for staff to work, learn, and innovate.

As part of our clinically led, operationally delivered, and digitally enabled model, we are seeking an outstanding operational leader to join our Surgical Division as Divisional Director of Operations. This pivotal role forms part of the Divisional Triumvirate alongside the Divisional Medical Director and Divisional Director of Nursing & Integrated Professions. 

You will lead the development and delivery of the Divisional Operating Plan, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and high reliability. Responsibilities include optimising patient flow, access, and quality across urgent, elective, and specialist pathways; managing operational performance and financial control; and supporting workforce planning, development, and wellbeing. You will work closely with clinical teams to balance day-to-day performance with long-term service transformation.

Collaboration is central to this role. You will engage with colleagues across UHP, corporate teams, and system partners—including Integrated Care Boards, commissioners, and NHS England—to shape pathways, improve patient experience, and optimise resource. 

Main duties of the job

The Divisional Director of Operations plays a pivotal leadership role in directing and leading the delivery of high quality, high performing safe and efficient services across the Division.  Reporting directly to the Divisional Medical Director and professionally to the Chief Operating Officer this role will work alongside the Divisional Director of Nursing and Integrated Professions as part of the triumvirate and will be accountable for operational performance and delivery, service development and productivity and delivery of care aligned with Trust priorities.

The postholder will provide visible leadership for the operational and managerial agenda, ensuring that services meet operational targets, quality standards, financial targets, workforce plans, and national and local performance expectations. This includes leading the development and implementation of the Divisional Annual Operating Plan and leading on key priorities as agreed with the Executive Team across the organisation, representing the Trust with partners, commissioners and regulators.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.