Deputy General ManagerNHS

Job summary

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced, forward-thinking and motivated operational leader to join our dynamic and dedicated Site Capacity and Flow team

The Deputy General Manager Operations plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, effective and efficient management of patient flow, capacity and demand across the organisation. Working closely with operational, clinical and divisional teams, the post holder supports the delivery of key operational objectives, national performance standards, financial targets and service improvement initiatives.

The role provides senior operational leadership both during normal working hours and through participation in the Senior Manager On-Call rota, ensuring robust escalation processes, effective communication and coordinated responses to operational pressures.

Closing date of applications - 17 November 2026

Interview date - 01 December 2026

If you are considering applying for an internal secondment, please ensure you have discussed this with your line manager and obtained their support prior to submitting your application.

Please be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be released from your substantive post, so you should seek approval before applying as you are applying or a Secondment.

If you have any questions or require further guidance, please contact the Recruitment Team.

Main duties of the job

• Leading the operational management of patient flow, capacity, demand and escalation processes across the Trust to support timely access to care.
• Coordinating responses to operational pressures, including bed management, discharge processes and emergency care performance.
• Supporting the achievement of national and local performance standards through proactive performance monitoring and service improvement.
• Acting as a key link between clinical, operational and corporate teams to ensure effective communication, collaboration and decision-making.
• Providing visible leadership and management to operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and patient-centred care.
• Participating in the Senior Manager On-Call rota and providing operational leadership during periods of significant escalation, major incidents and business continuity events.
• Leading and contributing to the development and implementation of operational policies, procedures and service improvement programmes.
• Analysing operational data and performance metrics to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement, ensuring informed decision-making.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clinical teams, system partners, commissioners and emergency service providers.
• Deputising for the General Manager as required, representing the service at internal and external meetings

Job description

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

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 AIgenerated 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.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorshipSkilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

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, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest 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.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.