About this role
Job summary
Are you an experienced NHS operational leader looking for an opportunity to make a real difference in the delivery of services for our patient population?
We are seeking an ambitious and collaborative General Manager to join and lead our Anaesthetics & Theatres Business at UHDB. The Business Unit comprises 56 theatres across 3 hospital sites and alongside anaesthetics and theatres we deliver critical care across 2 ICU's and pain management services all led by the Business Unit. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a fast-paced and evolving service, leading operational delivery, driving improvement and shaping the future services.
As part of the Business Unit triumvirate leadership team, you will work in close partnership with the Clinical Director, Associate Clinical Directors and Theatre Managers to provide visible, compassionate and effective leadership across the service to over 1,500 colleagues in the business unit. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring our patients receive safe, high-quality and timely care, while supporting staff to deliver their best every day.
This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, lead transformational change and work alongside multidisciplinary teams to improve patient experience, performance and outcomes.
Whether delivering operational excellence, improving patient flow or supporting innovative models of care, you will be empowered to make a significant impact across Trust.
Main duties of the job
As General Manager, you will support the Divisional Director in providing strategic and operational leadership across the Anaesthetic & Theatres Business Unit, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services that meet both local and national priorities.
Working collaboratively with clinical and operational colleagues, you will:
- Lead the day-to-day operational performance of the Business Unit, ensuring delivery of key quality, activity, people and financial objectives.
- Drive improvements in elective and non-elective care pathways, supporting patients to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
- Provide strong, visible leadership to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Support the development and delivery of strategic service plans that respond to the evolving needs of our patients and communities.
- Work closely with clinical leaders to implement service improvements, redesign pathways and deliver transformational change.
- Ensure robust performance management and governance arrangements are in place to support sustainable service delivery.
- Build strong relationships with colleagues across the Trust and wider health system to support integrated approaches to care.
This is a fixed term / secondment opportunity for 6 months whilst we recruit substantively to the vacancy.
Closing date: 30 October 2026 at 16:00
Interview date: 9 November 2026
About us
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer
- Development opportunities, including both professional and leadership development
- On-going support through every step of the way from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
- A variety of other staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes
Key Facts about our Trust
- We see on average 4810 OP appointments per day.
- We are the 4thbusiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
- An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
- Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
- Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
- We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
- We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate the skills, experience and potential to succeed in this role. While the person specification outlines the knowledge, skills and experience that would be beneficial, we recognise that candidates may not meet every criterion. This role may be suitable as a developmental opportunity for an aspiring leader with the right values, transferable skills and commitment to professional growth. We are committed to supporting the successful candidate to develop within the role.
Please ensure your CV includes your full employment history.
Applications should be submitted via a CV and covering letter, outlining how your experience, achievements and aspirations align with the requirements of the post to [email protected] and [email protected].
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification.
UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.
Please note this position is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants must be able to demonstrate an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK for the duration of the contract without sponsorship from the Trust. Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in a senior management position
- Experience of leading and directing senior clinical and non clinical teams
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent knowledge gained through experience or professional qualification
- Professional management qualifications or equivalent
- Masters qualification in a management discipline
Skills
Essential
- Financial management and business management skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Experience and knowledge of the current NHS challenges
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and of key changes in the NHS
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
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Address
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton
Royal Derby Hospital
Derby
DE22 3NE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)