Job summary
- Main area
- Administration
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 9
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 374-LC9126
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- ESHT but with Sussex-wide travel
- Town
- Eastbourne
- Salary
- £112,782 - £129,783 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Managing Director, Sussex Pathology Network (SPN)
NHS AfC: Band 9
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Job overview
The Managing Director for the Sussex Pathology Network will provide senior strategic, transformational and operational leadership to develop safe, sustainable and resilient pathology services across Sussex. Working with the Sussex Pathology Board, Trust partners, clinical leads, NHS England and the ICB, the post holder will shape the network’s operating model, governance and long-term strategy, translating shared ambitions into deliverable plans with clear outcomes and measurable benefits.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be an experienced senior NHS leader with strong strategic, political, financial and relationship-building skills, able to influence across organisational boundaries, manage ambiguity and build a collaborative network culture. They will provide visible and inclusive leadership, champion innovation and improvement, and ensure effective stewardship of public resources
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.
Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.
We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide strategic, transformational and operational leadership to establish and develop the Sussex Pathology Network (SPN), working with the Sussex Pathology Board, clinical leads, Trust pathology teams and programme partners to deliver early-stage priorities and build the foundations for a mature, sustainable network.
The post holder will lead complex change across multiple organisations, translating network ambitions into deliverable plans with measurable outcomes, and leading through influence as well as authority.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Master’s degree or equivalent senior level experience
- Postgraduate management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Master’s-level understanding of pathology scientific disciplines
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant senior leadership experience within the NHS or Pathology Services
- Significant, senior experience in NHS or pathology services operational and/or business leadership (with oversight of operations, quality and finance)
- Experience leading large-scale transformation in complex, multi organisational environments
- Experience establishing new teams, operating models or governance structures
- Experience managing large budgets
- Experience presenting to senior stakeholders in sensitive or political contexts
Desirable criteria
- Experience leading transformation within pathology services
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage conflict, diffuse tension and navigate contentious issues
- Strong analytical skills, including financial and performance analysis
- Ability to plan across short, medium and long-term horizons
- Ability to promote equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of pathology service delivery, accreditation and regulatory frameworks
Other
Desirable criteria
- Ability to travel across Sussex
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr. Simon Dowse
- Job title
- Director of Transformation, Strategy & Improvement
- Email address
- [email protected]
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