About this role
Job summary
Operational Manager - Diabetes & Endocrinology, Dermatology, Blood Borne VirusesDepartment: Medicine Division
Band: 8a pro rata if part-time
Hours: Part time, 30 hours per week all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you an ambitious and driven operational leader with a passion for delivering exceptional NHS services?
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to join the Medicine Division at Milton Keynes University Hospital, providing strategic and operational leadership across our Diabetes & Endocrinology, Dermatology and Blood Borne Viruses services.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to improving services, patient outcomes and operational performance. You will work closely with clinical, nursing and corporate colleagues to shape services, lead transformational change, and ensure the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care for our patients.
As a key member of the Divisional Management Team, you will be responsible for delivering demanding operational, quality and financial objectives while driving service improvement and innovation. You will need to be a confident leader, capable of building strong relationships, navigating complexity and influencing at all levels of the organisation.
If you are an ambitious operational leader ready for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you.
Interview: Week commencing 14 September 2026
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"NHS Survey, 2024'' They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%
The Operational manager will be responsible for the overall management of the Clinical Service Unit (CSU) working alongside the CSU Lead, Clinical Leads and Nursing leads for the relevant Specialties to deliver high quality, efficient and effective services to the population of Milton Keynes.
The post holder will be expected to support the development and delivery of service strategy, together with ensuring appropriate risk management processes are in place to deliver a safe, high quality, financially efficient (including CIPs, budget management) patient centred service.
Provide cross-trust liaison, ongoing support and managerial direction to staff in response to internal and external pressures that may affect throughput/ flow of patients through the Trust.
Support the CSU Lead and Clinical Leads in delivering key performance targets, in line with local and national arrangements.
Provide operational leadership and work as part of the operational team to cross cover where required.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.
Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description Job responsibilities
Managing Services
Ensures efficient and effective delivery of services for the achievement of quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness and improved clinical outcomes. Supports the implementation of the CSU risk management and clinical governance policies and systems effectively, ensuring a proactive approach to reducing clinical risk, whilst maximising clinical effectiveness within a safe and healthy environment. To ensure the service is meeting relevant KPIs (such as 4 hours, 18 weeks) via developing and co-operating effective reporting arrangements within the specialty / department management teams to accurately record and monitor performance against local and national targets and pro-actively manage any variances.
Improving Services Ensuring patient safety through assessing and managing the risk to patients associated with service developments, balancing economic considerations with the need for patient safety. Critically evaluating through being able to think analytically, conceptually and to identify where services can be improved working individually or as part of a team. Encouraging improvement and innovation by creating a climate of continuous service improvement.
Working with others In partnership with clinical colleagues, supports the delivery of commissioned levels of service within allocated resources, to meet activity targets and to develop action plans to manage any variances. Builds and maintains relationships through listening, supporting others, gaining trust and showing understanding.
Staff Management
Manage timely and effective recruitment and retention of staff. Ensure appraisal is carried out for all staff and training needs are identified. Manage mandatory training and ensure that service records are kept up to date. Be responsible for managing absence rates within the staff group in line with Trust policy, this includes sickness absence and any related occupational health management.
Business Planning and Management
Lead on strategies / plans for the development of services as required in conjunction with the CSU Lead. Analysing and interpreting complex data to deliver well-presented information. Regularly monitor demand and activity within area of responsibility. To plan, organise and arrange activities to link with the overall divisional strategy. To ensure there are robust and up to date business continuity plans.
Financial Budgetary Management
Work with clinical coding to ensure accurate and appropriate capturing of activity being undertaken within the services. Regular review and monitoring of budgets and investigating variances with a view to identify mitigating actions. Identify and support cost improvement programmes as part of Divisional yearly targets.
Please refer to the job description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge Essential
Masters or equivalent level qualification in management and /or demonstrable training and experience in health service. Practical and theoretical knowledge of oFinancial management, HR Management, performance management of key performance indicators (inclusive but not limited to 4 hours, 18 weeks), Business and contingency planning, project management including largescale change-management Knowledge of the key drivers and political environment which the NHS operates and is conversant with the relevant national policies. Evidence of continuous professional development Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE II
Experience Essential
Significant specialist experience in an operational management post in the NHS. Proven track record of meeting national targets and KPIs Knowledge and understanding of the duties imposed on the Trust by legislation, NHS policy and priorities and the requirement of corporate governance. A clear understanding of the modernisation agenda, the opportunities for redesigning services and the tools and techniques for achieving service change. Proven success in managing operational change, whilst maintaining high standards of quality. Significant experience of managing staff. Demonstrate evidence of sound financial/staff management. NHS experience in a senior manager role with significant experience of dealing with complex issues. Demonstrable experience of successfully managing projects. Proven success in business planning and in the development and implementation of complex strategic plans. Proven experience of partnership working- internally and externally
Skills Essential
A proven ability to obtain and consistently achieve results and targets. Proven ability to deal with wide range of data and information and take appropriate decisions from it. A proven ability to come up with flexible and creative solutions to difficult problems. Excellent collaborative working skills and able to build strong relationships with clinical leaders and professional staff groups. Proven ability to influence and change those groups. Proven ability to lead change through people. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - ability to negotiate, influence in difficult and contentious situations. A strong commitment to openness, honesty and inclusiveness. Working knowledge of MS Office for typing, amending and proof-reading documents. Self-management/Personal integrity. Ability to analyse complex problems and develop practical solutions. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written Ability to challenge and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders
Personal and people development Essential
Self-confident and uses this to lead, involve and challenge others as appropriate. Makes sustained effort in making a difference to how services are planned and delivered, overcoming obstacles and set backs. Displays a strong motivation and commitment to success. Ensures personal, professional behaviour and integrity at all times. Delegates appropriately setting clear and achievable targets and monitoring against required outcomes. Develops constructive relationships and networks within the organisation and outside. Ensure that the success of individuals and teams is recognised and valued. Able to use a range of management styles as appropriate. Experience of managing and developing others Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Communication Essential
Promotes the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams. Builds and maintains sound relationships within teams and with colleagues in other areas including corporate departments. Supports teams to continually review services and seek improvements
Specific requirements Essential
Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations Service and Project Management Service and Quality Improvement Financial Management
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Medicine Business Manager (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)