Directorate Operational Manager

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced NHS operational manager looking for an exciting opportunity to progress your career in a cutting-edge, world leading specialist cancer centre? Then this job may be just what you are looking for.
Due to a recent Divisional restructure and the creation of a further Directorate within the Clinical Support and Specialist Surgery Division, we have the following TWO Directorate Operational Manager opportunities within the Directorates of:
Anaesthetics, Theatres and Specialist Surgery (ATS) Directorate
Acute Oncology and Inpatient Care Directorate
The right person will have experience in or a demonstrable passion for delivery and management of either Anaesthetic and Critical Care services or acute medical or cancer services with a track record of performance, transformation and clinical pathway improvement delivery. Working alongside the Service Manager, Clinical Director and Senior Nursing leads they will provide compassionate and robust operational leadership with a problem solving approach to service improvement in a multidisciplinary environment
The Directorate Operations Manager is responsible for the operational management of delegated services within the directorate. They will provide effective operational leadership and promote quality and performance improvement to ensure the highest standards of patient care, developing long term strategies and policies for implementation of transformational change and leading on a range of programmes to address performance and service issues.
The right person will have a minimum of 3 year’s experience working in an NHS setting, and as a manager for a minimum of 2 years. They will need to be able to manage conflicting priorities, be adept at problem solving at an operational level, have a proven track record of service, change and people management and will demonstrate delivery against set objectives, targets, and continuous performance improvement. They will be degree educated or have equivalent experience in management or a clinical profession and ideally possess experience of managing staff from a range of professional backgrounds. They will have a high level of emotional intelligence, strong adaptable interpersonal skills and be emotionally resilient.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Service/operational management
Provides operational management support for all services within directorate, working closely with the clinical service manager, clinical director and clinical leads, departmental heads and divisional management team.
Implements effective and appropriate performance management systems and processes to ensure delivery of performance targets.
Ensures that inpatient and outpatient services within the directorate are used to best effect, achieving utilisation targets and driving improvements.
Provides support to patients, relatives and carers in the delivery of services ensuring best practices are always adhered to .
Supports the clinical and operational teams with day-to-day operational matters to ensure patient experience remains positive.
Ensures the implementation of effective and appropriate performance management systems and processes to ensure delivery of both local and national standards.
Leads services on the performance management agenda by developing and implementing strategies and process changes to ensure recurrent achievement of activity in line with plan. This includes liaison with clinicians to influence working practices to achieve clinically driven improvements.
Interprets and analyses highly complex data in relation to performance management using Trust software to develop performance management reports.
Develops own work plan in line with divisional and Trust objectives.
Strategic planning, service development and improvement
Responsible for the interpretation, development and implementation of broad policies and NHS guidance at both directorate and divisional level, when required.
Plays a key role in service planning and development for the directorate. Develops and implements long term strategic plans for new ways of working and the continued development and improvement of services.
Ensures that developments and improvements are across entire patient pathway and are in line with directorate, divisional and Trust objectives.
Ensures patients and relatives have a central role in the development and monitoring of service development projects for which the post holder is responsible.
Uses and interprets research and audit findings to aid the development of new guidelines and protocols which support service improvements.
Ensures that regular reports, and project updates are completed using agreed data sources and submitted to the Service Manager for approval as required.
Financial management and Business planning
Takes responsibility and accountability for the efficient management of delegated budget and resources within the directorate.
Prepares and co-ordinates the development and production of proposals and business cases to support operational improvement, transformational change processes, and efficiency initiatives. Performs complex option appraisals in order to inform the decision-making process, to include redesign of services.
Ensures compliance with Trusts’ standing orders and standing financial instructions.
Ensures organisational procedures are deployed across directorate for control of activities against budget, ensuring that services are delivered within available resources.
Ensures that services within the directorate work to achieve organisational effectiveness and deliver services within available resources.
Under the direction of the Service Manager develops schemes and action plans to implement cash-releasing efficiency saving opportunities
Uses and analyses financial information to ensure there are robust systems for monitoring of budgetary performance under the direction of the Service Manager.
Identifies and makes recommendations for capital investment programmes.
Contributes to budget setting for services within the directorate.
Assists clinical service manager in the negotiation of annual service level agreements / contracts as required, ensuring they meet the needs of the directorate.
Identifies opportunities for service redesign in line with QIPP strategies.