Job overview
University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is excited to offer a dynamic and hands-on opportunity to join our Graduate Management Training Scheme, which kicks off in September 2025.
Were seeking graduates who are eager to roll up their sleeves and thrive in a values-driven, fast-paced, and evolving workplace. If youre looking for a hands-on role where youll be at the forefront of healthcare service delivery, this is the Graduate Management Training Scheme for you. Set to begin in September 2025, this is a unique opportunity to kickstart your career with one of the UKs largest and most respected NHS Trusts. Youll gain invaluable operational management experience, and a post graduate apprenticeship qualification.
As an aspiring operational manager within UHS, this is not a desk job. Youll be immersed in the day-to-day challenges of service delivery, working directly with frontline colleagues to solve problems and balance competing priorities to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. Youll gain valuable operational insight and experience the fast-paced, hands-on environment that powers one of the largest teaching hospitals in England.
Youll receive mentorship from a senior leader at UHS who will guide you through the programme. In addition to the work-based experience, you will also complete a formal operational management apprenticeship qualification and leadership programme with one of our national training partners.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to be ranked among the top 5 acute and acute community Trusts for staff having opportunities to develop their career at UHS and for having opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills, according to the 2023 NHS staff survey. Our previous graduates have praised our development approach and the wealth of opportunities available to them, alongside the vast networking possibilities.
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England and a major trauma centre, UHS is at the forefront of award-winning care, ground breaking clinical trials, and numerous UK-first initiatives. As a University Hospital, our learning and development opportunities are unparalleled, and we are committed to helping our employees reach their full potential.
In addition to a fulfilling career, our staff enjoy a wide range of NHS-related benefits, including discounts from national retailers and local businesses across categories such as holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and more.
What Were Looking For:
During your recruitment journey, we will be evaluating your ability to:
Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse teams across the Trust, with a strong emphasis on face to face communication
Work effectively under pressure, supported by an encouraging and motivated team
Analyse problems and develop practical, workable solutions
The person specification document, attached, outlines the essential and desirable skills and experience required to succeed in this role. For a detailed description of the day-to-day responsibilities, please refer to the full job description, also attached.
Essential Application Criteria:
You will have, or be predicted to achieve, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject
You will demonstrate UHSs core values of Working Together, Patients First, and Always Improving. Please include this in a personal statement in your CV.
Apprenticeship Criteria:
These roles are funded by the Government Apprenticeship Scheme and do not offer visa sponsorship. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
You should have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the past 3 years
You must have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (for non-educational purposes) or hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Essential Application Criteria:
You will have, or be predicted to achieve, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject .
You will demonstrate UHSs core values of Working Together, Patients First, and Always Improving
Apprenticeship Criteria:
These roles are funded by the Government Apprenticeship Scheme and do not offer visa sponsorship. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
You should have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the past 3 years
You must have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (for non-educational purposes) or hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Additional Information:
Key dates for our Graduate Recruitment and Assessment Programme:
Application deadline: 10 March 2025 (Please attach, in one file, your CV including evidence of how you demonstrate our values of Working Together, Always Improving and Patients First)
Online testing deadline: w/c 21 st March 2025
Pre-screening interview deadline: w/c 7 th April 2025
Virtual Assessment Centr e : 2 9 th A p ril 2025
Final Interview Panel and UHS visit: w/c 5 th May 2025
Programme Start Date: 1 st September 2025 (non-deferable)
Desirable Criteria
Evidence of ongoing personal and professional development
Experience Essential Criteria
Ability to lead and supervise teams
Capable of facilitating and executing policies, guidelines, and projects from initiation to completion
Demonstrated ability to manage financial resources effectively
Aptitudes and Skills Essential Criteria
Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities
Highly effective communication skills, including the ability to convey sensitive or complex information to diverse audiences and articulate ideas clearly and concisely; excellent written and presentation skills
Ability to influence change and implement new concepts or ideas
Skilled in problem analysis and developing practical, actionable solutions
Proven ability to deliver projects and meet objectives while managing resources within agreed timelines
Strong IT, data, and analytical skills, including proficiency in MS Excel for statistical reporting and analysis; capable of interpreting data and producing clear, concise reports
Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative
Strong leadership qualities with the ability to motivate, delegate, and be a team player
Skilled in networking and building relationships across all levels
Personal Qualities Essential Criteria
Proven ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships
Ability to remain calm and professional in all situations
Reliable, proactive self-motivator
Trust Values Essential Criteria
Patients First
Always Improving
Working Together
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