The Surgical Services Manager – Clinical Operations provides senior operational and clinical leadership across the Operating Theatre Department and Enhanced Care Unit (ECU), working in partnership with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to ensure the safe, effective and efficient delivery of high-quality surgical and peri-operative services.

The postholder holds joint accountability for the overall performance, quality, patient safety, workforce and operational delivery of the theatre and ECU service, while leading the Clinical Operations portfolio. They will provide visible leadership across the department, ensuring effective theatre management, workforce deployment, utilisation, patient flow and delivery of agreed performance standards.

Working collaboratively with surgeons, anaesthetists, peri-operative teams, Clinical Coordinators, Lead Theatre Practitioners and specialist clinical leads, the postholder will drive operational excellence, service development and continuous improvement to optimise patient pathways and enhance the patient experience.

As part of a shared leadership model, the postholder will contribute to the strategic and operational management of the wider theatre and ECU service, maintaining sufficient knowledge and oversight across all areas to provide effective cross-cover and business continuity. They will work closely with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to ensure consistent leadership, shared decision-making and seamless service delivery, taking responsibility for the wider service during periods of planned or unplanned absence.

Joint Leadership and Accountability

The two Surgical Services Managers will operate as peer leaders, both reporting directly to the Director of Surgical Services.

Together, they will hold joint accountability for the overall performance, safety, quality, workforce and operational delivery of the Operating Theatre Department and Enhanced Care Unit.

Each postholder will lead a defined primary portfolio while maintaining sufficient knowledge, skills and oversight of the wider service to provide effective cross-cover and continuity of leadership.

The postholders will jointly contribute to strategic planning, service development, workforce planning, performance management, clinical governance, financial management, risk management and operational decision-making across the theatre and ECU service.

Neither postholder will have exclusive ownership of their portfolio. Both managers will be expected to understand the key priorities, risks, workforce issues, performance requirements and ongoing work within the other's portfolio.

During annual leave, sickness, vacancy, resignation or any other absence, the remaining Surgical Services Manager will assume responsibility for the absent manager's portfolio in addition to their own, until appropriate interim or substantive arrangements are in place.

The postholders will ensure effective handover and maintenance of shared information, reporting and risk-management systems to support continuity.

No area of theatre operations, quality, governance, resuscitation or ECU should be dependent upon the presence of a particular individual for decision-making or operational continuity.

Professional and Clinical Leadership

Provide visible senior clinical and operational leadership across the Operating Theatre Department and Enhanced Care Unit.

Work collaboratively with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to maintain high standards of patient safety, clinical quality and professional practice.

Provide leadership and support to Clinical Coordinators, Lead TPs and specialist clinical leads, ensuring clear accountability, effective escalation and consistent standards of practice.

Ensure operational processes support safe, efficient and effective patient journeys through the theatre pathway.

Ensure workforce deployment, skill mix and clinical competence are aligned with service requirements.

Liaise with medical, nursing, allied health professional and operational colleagues to maximise the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of theatre and ECU services.

Act as a senior clinical and operational advisor on matters relating to the provision and development of surgical services.

Maintain sufficient clinical knowledge and visibility to provide effective leadership during periods of operational pressure and staffing challenge.

Support the development of a positive, proactive and patient-centred culture that promotes safety, accountability and continuous improvement.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

Develop and maintain effective communication across the Operating Theatre Department and ECU, ensuring staff are appropriately informed of operational priorities, service developments, risks and changes affecting patient care.

Work in close partnership with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to ensure consistent communication, shared decision-making and integrated leadership across the department.

Maintain effective working relationships with surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing and theatre practitioners, allied health professionals, senior management and relevant support functions.

Liaise with medical colleagues and surgical teams to understand current and future service requirements and support safe and efficient delivery of surgical activity.

Act as a senior point of contact for operational matters relating to the Operating Theatre Department and ECU, providing timely advice, guidance and escalation where appropriate.

Ensure significant operational, workforce, clinical or service-development issues are communicated promptly to the Director of Surgical Services and relevant members of the Executive Team.

Represent Surgical Services at relevant organisational meetings, committees and forums, contributing to strategic and operational decision-making.

Promote an open and collaborative culture in which staff are encouraged to communicate concerns, share ideas and contribute to service improvement.

Requirements

Qualifications, Skills and Experience – Essential

Registered healthcare professional with current NMC or HCPC registration.

Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.

Significant post-registration experience within an operating theatre or peri-operative environment.

Substantial experience in a senior clinical or operational leadership role.

Demonstrable experience of leading and managing a multidisciplinary clinical team.

Demonstrable experience of workforce planning, including staffing, skill mix, recruitment and retention.

Surgical Services Manager – Clinica Operations Sept 26

Experience of managing performance and supporting staff through organisational policies and processes.

Demonstrable experience of managing clinical and operational risk and contributing to clinical governance.

Experience of service development, service improvement and implementing change within healthcare.

Demonstrable experience of using performance data to identify trends, manage variances and drive improvement.

Experience of working collaboratively with surgeons, anaesthetists and multidisciplinary clinical teams.

Strong understanding of theatre operations, patient flow, capacity, utilisation and safe staffing.

Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.

Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands and make sound decisions.

Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively as part of a shared leadership model, including effective cross-cover for a peer manager.

Current ILS qualification.

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience – Desirable

Relevant postgraduate qualification in leadership, management, healthcare management or a related field.

Management or leadership qualification.

Experience of financial/budget management within a healthcare setting.

Experience of supporting development or introduction of new surgical services.

Experience of robotics or other advanced surgical technologies.

Experience of working within a regulated healthcare environment.

Experience of leading large-scale service improvement or transformation programmes.