Job summary
- Main area
- Operational Management
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 374-LC7726
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Conquest/Cross Site
- Town
- Hastings
- Salary
- £79,504 - £91,609 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/06/2026 23:59
Employer heading
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
Are you an ambitious and inspiring operational leader ready to make a lasting impact on patient care? East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking an exceptional Deputy Divisional Director of Operations to join our senior leadership team at a pivotal time of transformation and innovation.
We are currently recruiting across two areas:
Women’s and Children’s Services
Diagnostics, Anaesthetics and Surgery (DAS).
Please clearly indicate within your application which division /post you are interested in.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare services across one of the largest integrated trusts in the South East. Working alongside senior clinical and executive leaders, you will drive operational excellence, lead complex service improvements, and play a key role in delivering outstanding care for our communities.
As a trusted senior lead, you will influence major decisions, champion innovation, and lead high-performing teams through change and improvement. Whether it’s improving patient flow, reducing waiting times, enhancing productivity, or transforming pathways of care, your leadership will directly contribute to better outcomes for thousands of patients every day.
Join us and help shape the next chapter of healthcare delivery in East Sussex.
Together, we can deliver excellence, inspire change, and improve lives.
Main duties of the job
The role will involve working closely with the Divisional Director of Operations. You will be working in a tri or quadrumvirate, leading the Care Groups in Division with the Clinical Director and Head of Nursing and Clinical Professions to oversee specific service improvement projects, as well as supporting the implementation of the Divisional strategy and day-to-day operational management of the division.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, are passionate about delivering exceptional services, and are looking for a role that combines strategic influence with visible operational impact, we would love to hear from you.
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
Essential criteria
- Masters level qualification/training relevant to role or equivalent knowledge acquired through extensive experience and training
- Evidence of continuous professional and personal development relevant to role to demonstrate expert management and leadership skills
- Senior Leadership/management qualification or training
- Project Management and Quality Improvement qualification or training
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience working in a senior leadership position including contributing to operational management of services.
- Experience in management of health services
- Able to demonstrate experience of: Strategic planning Service delivery Quality/Service improvement and leading change Operational management and performance People Management – performance, appraisal, sickness, development, retention Managing budgets Monitoring, analysing and assessing performance across complex services Management of risk across services Managing multi-disciplinary teams
Skills
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and skills and understanding of: Leadership skills that inspire, engage and motivate a workforce Knowledge of constitutional standards and developments/initiatives within NHS and impact on service delivery Change management skills and ability to analyse complex data and drive service improvements Workforce planning and managing complex HR issues, multidisciplinary team working Financial management skills, including the ability to analyse complex financial information
- Quality improvement initiatives, setting and monitoring standards and performance across a range of clinical services and able to agree clear performance goals, hold to account and offer constructive feedback.
- Assessment and management of complex operational and risks and knowledge of clinical and operational governance frameworks.
- Excellent team and project management, prioritisation and organisational skills and ability to manage and deliver to agreed deadlines with competing demands and frequent interruptions.
- Excellent communication skills, able to engage, negotiate and influence stakeholders, present information, report writing skills, write business cases, recovery and service plans.
- Managing distressing, emotional circumstances with staff, service users and carers.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kaia Vitler ( WAC ) or Nadia Cruddis ( DAS )
- Job title
- Divisional Director of Operations
- Additional information
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