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Job summary

Main area
Admin
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8d
Contract
Permanent: On call
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
247-A&E-HEOPPL-0626
Employer
East of England Ambulance Service Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Regional
Town
Melbourn
Salary
Dependant on Experience
Closing
14/06/2026 23:59

Employer heading

East of England Ambulance Service Trust logo

Head of Operational Planning

NHS AfC: Band 8d

EEAST is a great place to work, great people, great career opportunities and a career that can take you anywhere. No two days are the same, if you are looking for a varied and supportive environment EEAST can offer you that and more! 

Hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work:

-          Great employee benefits: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/join-the-team/working-for-us/employee-benefits

-          Our equality networks: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/our-equality-networks

-          Our vision & values: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-value

Before you apply, please visit our how to apply page for full guidance: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/join-the-team/working-for-us/how-to-apply

#Careerforlife

Job overview

The purpose of this role is for the postholder to be responsible for the delivery of an excellent and successful integrated planning, resourcing, scheduling and forecasting function for EEAST, including the associated resourcing infrastructure, to enable the Trust to meet its strategic aims.

The role will also oversee, implement and advise on strategic policy or service development, which impacts across or beyond the Organisation with an ongoing requirement to act with minimal guidelines while setting goals and standards for others.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will deliver measurable and observable improvements across a range of service areas integrating the planning and resourcing of its key departments including frontline Operations and Ambulance Operations Centres.

 

The role will focus on the development of a clear strategic approach to resourcing across the Organisation, aligned to the operational development and delivery of services within the Trust.

 

The postholder will provide leadership, strategic and professional management combined with responsibility for the development of service planning, resourcing and forecasting across the Trust, and will provide expertise to support directorates in their work to redesign and modernise services.

 

The postholder will develop a consistent approach to the way in which the Trust’s resources are commissioned and deployed through the reorganisation, development and modernisation of the existing scheduling functions, and will deliver significant improvements in the deployment and utilisation of both established and contingent resources.

 

The postholder will design and lead the development of a robust resourcing capability to enable the Trust to plan and manage future demand and respond effectively to short notice resourcing requirements.

They will act as a Trust expert on the national guidance, reporting mechanisms and service improvements that will improve service delivery. 

Working for our organisation

You'll have the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse regions in the country, with the vibrant capital city just a stone's throw away and the invigorating North Sea coast to the east.

The East of England offers a unique blend of innovation and opportunity, surrounded by picturesque countryside, historic towns, and quick access to both the bustling capital and serene coastlines.

 

At EEAST we bring together all our skills to provide 24 hour, 365 days a year urgent care to those in need of emergency and non-emergency medical treatment and transport in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

We are always looking to innovate our approaches and work together to offer the best possible patient care across our counties. 

We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as Black, Asian, or other ethnic groups, individuals with a Disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.

We at EEAST want to support our employees achieve a balance between work and other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, family commitments, further learning, and other interests. We therefore welcome flexible working requests. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the role, including all its specific requirements and responsibilities, please consult the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides an in-depth overview that will give you a clear and detailed picture of what the position entails.

Please note, should you be successful in your application, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, prior to receiving an unconditional offer, if full employment checks cannot be achieved (this will include existing and unserved disciplinary sanctions), then your offer may be withdrawn.

How to apply
Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (attached)
Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement - Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification. 
Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to Master’s Level in relevant subject plus experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area.
  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development and recorded management.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Proven and significant leadership experience
  • Experience of managing and prioritising a large budget and making savings when required.
  • Experience in leading major change initiatives with positive outcomes.
  • Significant management experience at senior level in the NHS or other public healthcare related industry.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of successfully operating and delivering priorities in a partnership environment.
  • Experience and/or understanding of the wider Health Economy.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Political acumen and effective networking skills.
  • Evidence of team and individual interventions to drive improvement.
  • Ability to analyse highly complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
  • Ability to analyse numerical and written data, assess options and draw appropriate initiatives.
  • Leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces CovenantDyslexia Friendly - Silver

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Darren Meads
Job title
Chief Operating Officer
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07808776870
Additional information

Please contact via Email to arrange any discussions about the role.

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