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Job summary

Main area
Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
374-LL0317
Employer
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Cross Site
Town
Eastbourne/ Hastings
Salary
£79,504 - £91,609 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
01/10/2026 08:00

Employer heading

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust logo

Deputy Divisional Director of Operations

NHS AfC: Band 8c

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

To support the Divisional Director of Operations in the Divisional Delivery & Performance and to hold all specialties to account for delivering the objectives and milestones agreed within the Trust’s Annual Plan. Head of Care Group responsibilities for Specialist Medicine (which includes Dermatology, General Medicine, Rheumatology and Neurology)

 Operate a system of performance management of the specialties in line with the Trust’s Performance Management Framework to support the delivery of national and local performance standards and targets.

Support work across specialties to ensure that in year recovery plans are developed, tested and implemented to address any actual or potential underperformance and support specialties in the implementation of production planning.

The post holder will support specialties to develop their capability, deliver their specific performance targets and standards, develop, improve and grow the services they provide.  They will provide oversight of delivery plans to the Divisional Director of Operations of that Division.

Main duties of the job

Support management of the operational performance management 
structure, to achieve specific Trust and national performance targets. 

Be responsible for implementation of strategies and systems that have 
been devised to achieve specific national performance targets and 
strategies. Ensure robust business planning and risk management 
processes are applied to all service performance.

Contribute to policy making and help identify risks to achievement of 
corporate operational goals.

As a key member of staff the post holder has a responsibility to uphold 
the values and standards expected of all employees in East Sussex 
Healthcare NHS Trust.  This involves not just setting an example that 
others should aspire to, but taking the responsibility to challenge those 
whose behaviour is unacceptable. 

Direct management of General Managers within specialities.

Manage Delegated budget of circa £50M.(This will vary depending on the 
Division)  

Please refer to the job description attached for more details.

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

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Qualifications / Training

Essential criteria
  • Management qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Relevant Masters degree level qualification or proven equivalent knowledge acquired through extensive experience.
  • Evidence of substantial continuing professional and personal development, including professional management training, strategic planning and performance, people management , budget management and service development
Desirable criteria
  • PRINCE 2 or alternative project management qualification and experience

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Extensive broad experience of working within NHS or other acute, complex healthcare organisation in senior operational managerial roles, to include managing large budgets, major staffing groups and service delivery across a range of services.
  • Proven experience of management leadership exercised through/alongside senior clinical staff.
  • Proven ability of managing resources; people, finance and materials.
  • Experience/evidence of managing high level projects, delivering targets within constraints and on time.
Desirable criteria
  • Expert in managing waiting lists.
  • Expert in managing constitutional standards for the NHS.
  • Able to manage large groups of staff including Consultants.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Considerable knowledge of high level developments in the NHS with a specific understanding of the service provided their impact on service delivery.
  • Knowledge of performance targets, access and modernisation service developments and their impact on service delivery within the NHS.
  • Ability to develop and maintain communication on complex matters, issues and ideas and/or in complex situations to assist with decision making.
  • Ability to assimilate highly complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
  • Able to demonstrate planning and organising across a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans and strategies.
  • Report-writing skills including ability to present information logically and concisely and with impact, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to lead with excellent interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy and sensitivity.

Other

Essential criteria
  • Ability to travel independently between sites as required in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality MarkGold Award 2026 - Wellbeing at Work - East Sussex

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

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nicola Cooper
Job title
Divisional Director of Operations
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07740964480
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