About this role
Job summary
We are recruiting a Band 8b - General Manager to provide senior operational and strategic leadership within the Women's and Children's Division at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and Divisional leadership team, you will be accountable for the performance, delivery and continuous improvement of a complex portfolio of services. This role suits an experienced NHS operational leader with strong financial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills and a collaborative, values-driven leadership style.
You will play a key role in shaping service strategy, improving patient experience, delivering national targets and supporting a positive, inclusive culture across multidisciplinary teams.
We offer the opportunity to influence real change, work with committed clinical leaders and contribute to the Trust's vision of excellent patient care.
Interviews will be held on 29 May 2026.
Main duties of the job
As General Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the operational, financial and workforce performance of your service portfolio. You will lead business planning, performance management and service improvement, working towards delivery of national and local targets, including RTT and waiting list standards.
You will act as budget holder, develop cost improvement programmes and lead service development and business case approvals. Working in partnership with Clinical Directors, Matrons and senior managers, you will ensure high-quality, patient-centred services that meet governance and safety standards.
You will provide visible leadership to management teams, support workforce planning and development, manage complex operational escalations and contribute to divisional and Trust-wide objectives. The post requires significant NHS management experience, strong analytical and financial skills, excellent communication abilities and the resilience to lead within a complex healthcare environment.
About us With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please [email protected] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the daytoday operational management, performance delivery and financial control of a defined portfolio within the Womens & Childrens Division. Key responsibilities include service planning, performance management against national and local targets, budget management, workforce oversight and delivery of service improvement initiatives.
The role works in close partnership with Clinical Directors, Matrons, Heads of Department and corporate teams including Finance, HR, Governance and Strategy. The General Manager will support effective governance, manage operational risks and escalations and contribute to Trustwide priorities and transformation programmes.
The core working hours are Monday to Friday; however, flexibility is required to meet service needs. This may include occasional extended hours and attendance at meetings outside of normal working patterns. Full details will be discussed at interview.
Person Specification
Education Essential
Education to degree level or equivalent qualification Studying for/plans to study management qualification Evidence of continuing professional development including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes
Knowledge Essential
Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on services Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
Experience Essential
Operational management experience in an Acute NHS organisation Experience of managing several complex NHS services, preferably within the Acute Sector
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 West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Watford General Hospital
Watford
WD18 0HB
Employer's website http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)