About this role
Job summary
The postholder is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational delivery and commercial development of Private Patient Services across the Trust.
The role is accountable for maximising private patient income, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering high-quality, patient-centred services, while supporting the Trust's wider financial sustainability objectives.
The postholder will operate as a senior leader, advising Executive colleagues and leading complex commercial negotiations, service transformation, and external partnerships to grow and optimise the Trust's private healthcare portfolio.
** Pay banding subject to NHS Job Evaluation **
Main duties of the job
As we continue to develop our private patient services, we are looking for an experienced and commercially focused senior leader to help shape, grow and strengthen this important area of the Trust's work, supporting both patient choice and the wider financial sustainability of the organisation.The Unit General Manager for Private Patient Services will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and commercial development across the Trust's private healthcare portfolio. Working closely with clinical teams, consultants, Executive colleagues, private medical insurers and external partners, the postholder will lead service growth, improve pathways, develop new commercial opportunities and ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with regulatory requirements. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and influential leader with strong commercial acumen, stakeholder management skills and a commitment to excellent patient care.
About us
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH)is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
In the National Staff Survey, 69% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 91% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities.
RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Job description Job responsibilities
The provision of professional and specialist support to the clinical users of the private patient service demonstrating a high level oforganisationalability and leadership
To develop and manage relationships externally with purchasers of healthcare and key influencers, such as private medical insurers, private GPs and other referrers, to understand market requirements and to develop the RJAH private care revenue in line with targets.
To develop and manage relationships with consultants internally on behalf ofRJAHtorepatriate external private work of established consultants, togrow the volume and revenue of our business
Develop and delivery the Trusts private patient strategy across all services e.g. surgical, diagnostics, therapies
Accountable for the delivery of the Trusts private patient income targets and activity plans along with related expenditure budgets.
Provide strategic advice to Executive and Board-level committees
Lead long-term income growth planning, including scenario modelling and market analysis
Lead on ensuring Trust wide governance is in place for private patient services; developing an expert knowledge of indemnity, risk and private practicing privileges.
To understand the practical constraints and issues for consultants working atRJAHand lead on resolving any issues and encourage growth of privatepractices atthe RJAH, in particular the smooth facilitation of theatre session availability.
Engage and coach staff and consultants to ensure a patient focused delivery of services.
To lead alongside Finance and the Commercial Director in negotiations with the Private Medical Insurers tosecure the best tariffs and terms of business for the Trust, and to negotiate favourable termsfor any specific agreements outside the usual contracts, for instance network arrangements,preferred provider agreements etc.
To seek new commercial opportunities with new and existing partners, developing innovative services, businessmodelsand ways of working to secureadditionalprivate income streams.
Tolead and manage the service areas whilst developing and sustaining effective working relationships with the unit teams, consultant medicalstaff,allotherinternal and external stakeholders to ensure that RJAH privatehealthcare business is represented appropriately and itsobjectivesare achieved.
To develop a network of external stakeholders, including but not limited to Private Medical Insurers, private GPs, referral agents, medical consultants and other private hospital providers, who are influential indeterminingwhere patients access private care
To manage internal and external communications, working with the Head of Communications, using sound judgment to ensure that all communicationsrepresentthe values and business interests ofRJAH
Accountable for the leadership, performance and development of the Private Patient Services workforce, including direct and indirect line management of multidisciplinary teams
Work closely with the Communication Manager to develop a portfolio of marketing products and information consistent with RJAH branding,valuesand commercial objective
To manage relationships with consultants,ensuring that their views and requirements are understood, acted upon appropriately and that they areengagedand motivated to carry our private work.
To continually question and challenge the statusquolooking for new and innovative ways to improve service delivery to make the most effective use of resources and ensure services are patient focused.
To model a collaborative and influencing style of working, negotiating with others to achieve the best outcomes
Tomaintaina detailed working knowledge of competition law surrounding private healthcare including but not limited to the Bribery Act and guidance from the Competition and Markets Authority
To develop a robust understanding of the information and reporting systems in the Trust and to continuously develop and improve business and activity reports for the COO summarising performance and highlighting risks and issues
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training Essential
Educated to degree level in a related subject Postgraduate qualification OR equivalent experience at senior level Leadership or management qualification Evidence of senior leadership development (e.g. NHS leadership programmes)
Desirable
Master level qualification or equivalent in a related field
Experience Essential
Extensive senior leadership experience in private healthcare / commercial NHS services Experience working at an senior operational level demonstrating track record success Evidence of extensive experience in service development and change management Evidence of working in a business or commercial environment Staff management Extensive influencing and negotiating experience with internal and external stakeholders Project management Experience of performance management
Desirable
Evidence of influencing a wide range of senior stakeholders Evidence of managing complex contracts e.g. private insurers Business case development Strategy development
Skills and Competencies Essential
Proven change and project management skills Strategic thinking and system leadership Advanced communication and effective interpersonal skills Advanced commercial acumen Ability to influence Executive and Board decision-making Financial literacy (P&L / income modelling) Advanced negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills Highly organised with excellent attention to detail. Highly analytical and numerate with ability to present a logical argument using data and information Confident communication skills, including presenting complex information. Self-motivated, flexible and driven.
Knowledge (including specialist or technical knowledge required) Essential
Proficient in Microsoft applications, including performance dashboards, reports and analytical tools. Experience managing and developing teams with proven improvements in capability and performance. NHS private patient regulatory framework Competition law / CMA guidance Healthcare market dynamics Knowledge of acute hospitals and healthcare delivery
Desirable
Knowledge of private healthcare insurance market
Personal Qualities & Trust Values Essential
To exemplify the Trust Values: Professional - apply high professional standards to your role Excellence - ensure the care we deliver has great outcomes for patients Respect - for patients and each other Friendly - patients, colleagues, public are always put at ease and made welcome Inclusive - we have a safe and respectful environment Caring - put the patient first and be considerate of their needs
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 Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT
Gobowen
Oswestry
SY10 7AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)