About this role
Job summary
Help Shape the Future of Surgical Services
We are looking for an experienced and ambitious operational leader to join our Surgery Division as Deputy Divisional Director of Operations.
This is a key senior leadership role at an exciting time for the Division. We are focused on delivering our clinical strategy, growing and developing services for our patients, improving access to care and ensuring our services remain sustainable for the future.
Working as part of the Divisional Leadership Team, you will support the Divisional Director of Operations in leading the operational performance of the Division and of the Trust, ensuring patients receive safe, effective and timely care while delivering against operational, financial and quality objectives.
Interviews will be held on 3rd September 2026
Main duties of the job
About the Role
This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact both within the organisation and across Greater Manchester.
You will lead the Division's elective improvement agenda, driving sustainable improvements in RTT performance and elective pathways. You will be expected to bring a strong understanding of the national elective recovery agenda, GIRFT recommendations, NHS operational priorities and the wider healthcare environment.
You will be the Trust lead for RTT performance, chairing the trust PTL meeting and driving delivery of elective access standards across all divisions. Working alongside the Cancer Services Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership for cancer performance, ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care.
This is a role for an influential leader who can work across organisational boundaries, engaging senior clinicians and operational managers to deliver results. You will thrive in an environment where success depends on collaboration, credibility and the ability to lead horizontally, bringing people together around shared goals and improved outcomes for patients.
A key part of the role will be translating complex information into meaningful insight, using data to identify opportunities, tackle variation and support decision-making at Divisional Board, Trust Board and executive level. You will need to be confident presenting performance information and recovery plans to senior stakeholders and clinicians alike.
About us
The successful candidate will have significant experience managing an RTT specialty or elective service and a proven track record of delivering performance improvement in a complex healthcare environment.
Leading Our People
This role is about people as much as performance.
You will provide leadership to our operational management teams across four directorates, creating an environment where colleagues feel supported, valued and empowered to make improvements.
We're looking for a leader who combines high expectations with kindness and compassion. Someone who can build trust, develop talent and help teams achieve their potential while maintaining a clear focus on delivery.
You will:
Lead, support and develop operational leaders across the Division. Create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Encourage teams to challenge existing ways of working and identify opportunities to improve patient care. Coach and develop future leaders. Foster strong working relationships across clinical, nursing and corporate teams. Create an environment where success is recognised, learning is shared and people are supported to grow
Job description Job responsibilities
What We're Looking For
You will bring:
Extensive knowledge of RTT rules, elective recovery and waiting list management. Experience of successfully managing an RTT specialty or elective service. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and communicate complex performance data. Experience presenting information and recommendations at Board and executive level. A track record of delivering operational improvement and organisational change. A strong understanding of GIRFT, elective reform and current NHS priorities. Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to work effectively with clinicians, system partners and external organisations. Experience leading and developing high-performing teams. The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. An understanding of the wider Greater Manchester healthcare landscape and the importance of collaborative working. What Success Looks Like
Success in this role will be measured through:
Sustained improvement in RTT and elective performance. Delivery of divisional objectives and recovery plans. Successful implementation of GIRFT recommendations and Medium Term Plan priorities. Strong operational and financial performance across the Division. High-quality analysis and reporting that supports effective decision-making. Positive engagement with clinical teams and system partners. Meaningful contribution to Greater Manchester programmes and collaborative work. The development of confident, capable and empowered operational teams across all four directorates. A culture where continuous improvement is embedded and staff feel supported to make a difference Why Join Us?
You'll be joining a high-performing, ambitious and friendly division with a clear vision for the future. We are committed to delivering outstanding care for our patients, supporting our people and working collaboratively across the wider system to improve health outcomes.
If you are an experienced operational leader who is passionate about elective improvement, developing teams and delivering lasting change, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape the future of surgical services for our patients, our organisation and the people of Greater Manchester.
Please see the attached job description for further information about this job role. Please do not hesitate to contact us via the details below should you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Knowledge of the structure and workings of the NHS and associated partners Proven track record of successful and sustained management in an NHS Foundation Trust or similar organisation Track record of successful delivery Evidence of a track record in change management
Desirable
Senior experience within a large complex organisation Detailed grasp of the full range of current NHS issues
Education / Qualifications Essential
Masters degree level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience. In-depth knowledge in a number of management disciplines acquired through training. Evidence of post graduate CPD.
Skills and Abilities Essential
Strong performance delivery ethos and ability to hold staff appropriately to account Demonstrable experience of managing services, delivering to target, within constraints and on time. Evidence of setting ambitious targets and of implementing innovative solutions to improve services within tight financial constraints. Keeps abreast of national developments in health and social care through active involvement in national networks Understands the underlying social, political and historical factors shaping local realities of health services and uses understanding of politics ("large and small p") of health and social care to get things done Able to move easily between the detail and the big picture on issues in understanding and explaining the complexity of challenges and possible solutions
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Bolton Hospital
Minerva Road
Bolton
BL4 0JR
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://www.boltonft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)