Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as General Manager for Pathology. This is a very senior leadership role within a vibrant culture in a progressive Trust and will require working cross-site: Luton & Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital. The successful candidate will require the ability to work at a fast pace and to deliver the operational and strategic objectives of the pathology clinical services in partnership with the Clinical Director. The postholder will have experience of working at a senior level in a pathology setting and will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer - Executive Director and will be required to act autonomously. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and resilient day to day running of services within the service line, ensuring business continuity and responsible for delivery of the financial target with an operating budget of over £50m per year. They will bring substantial technical knowledge leadership experience alongside the ability to influence and impact change. For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Cathy Jones, COO, via Jane Payne, Executive Assistantjane.paynebedsft.nhs.uk Main duties of the job The postholder will be accountable for delivery of the CSL financial target and ensuring continual improvement, ensuring that financial controls are established and maintained. The post holder will be responsible for the effective management of human resource, a significant financial resource, governance and business planning arrangements. They will lead the development of quality objectives and business targets for the pathology CSL. About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology. Our Values We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job. Date posted 26 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8d Salary £88,168 to £101,677 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 418-CORP7400-EH Job locations Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Leswey Road, Luton Luton/Bedford LU4 0DZ Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached Job Description for full details of the role. The post holder is accountable for the operational delivery of pathology clinical services, and developing a service strategy in conjunction with clinical leads, for the pathology Clinical Service Line (CSL). They will work collaboratively with Chief Operating Officer (COO), Clinical Directors for Pathology and discipline Clinical Leads in order to set clear goals and objectives for staff within the service to ensure delivery of excellent clinical care. They will be accountable for delivery of the CSL financial target and ensuring continual improvement, ensuring that financial controls are established and maintained. The post holder will be responsible for the effective management of human resource, a significant financial resource, governance and business planning arrangements. They will lead the development of quality objectives and business targets for the pathology CSL. They will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and safe day to day running of services within pathology and maintaining good staff and patient experience. The post holder will ensure business continuity and resilient service delivery, supported by robust operational and capacity planning. They will work in partnership with colleagues across the organisation to ensure the delivery of the Trusts corporate objectives and transformation programmes. Ensuring collaboration between services to support quality improvements and collective achievement of performance standards incorporating quality, safety, contractual, access, financial and workforce. The post holder will lead by example and act at all times as an ambassador for the Trust, championing the Trusts values and upholding the highest standards of behaviour and compassion for colleagues. They will work with and mobilise support from key stakeholders and partners within the Trust and externally including Local and other Health Care Commissioners, Local Authorities and NHS England. They will ensure that the clinical teams and pathology service managers provide an effective delivery of the strategic vision for the consolidation, realignment and harmonisation of all pathology disciplines. They will ensure services are delivered in line with internal and external performance targets. This includes specific responsibility for UKAS accreditation and other laboratory regulations. The post holder will be the organisational Lead Healthcare Scientific Officer (LHSO) for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The purpose of the LHSO is to provide scientific advice of the highest level within the organisation, to improve the delivery of high quality care and provide strong leadership, strategic direction, and influence for healthcare science diagnostic and therapeutic services across the Trust. The LHSO will also support the workforce and leadership development of healthcare scientists in their organisation, bringing with them a wide experience of healthcare science specialisms. Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached Job Description for full details of the role. The post holder is accountable for the operational delivery of pathology clinical services, and developing a service strategy in conjunction with clinical leads, for the pathology Clinical Service Line (CSL). They will work collaboratively with Chief Operating Officer (COO), Clinical Directors for Pathology and discipline Clinical Leads in order to set clear goals and objectives for staff within the service to ensure delivery of excellent clinical care. They will be accountable for delivery of the CSL financial target and ensuring continual improvement, ensuring that financial controls are established and maintained. The post holder will be responsible for the effective management of human resource, a significant financial resource, governance and business planning arrangements. They will lead the development of quality objectives and business targets for the pathology CSL. They will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and safe day to day running of services within pathology and maintaining good staff and patient experience. The post holder will ensure business continuity and resilient service delivery, supported by robust operational and capacity planning. They will work in partnership with colleagues across the organisation to ensure the delivery of the Trusts corporate objectives and transformation programmes. Ensuring collaboration between services to support quality improvements and collective achievement of performance standards incorporating quality, safety, contractual, access, financial and workforce. The post holder will lead by example and act at all times as an ambassador for the Trust, championing the Trusts values and upholding the highest standards of behaviour and compassion for colleagues. They will work with and mobilise support from key stakeholders and partners within the Trust and externally including Local and other Health Care Commissioners, Local Authorities and NHS England. They will ensure that the clinical teams and pathology service managers provide an effective delivery of the strategic vision for the consolidation, realignment and harmonisation of all pathology disciplines. They will ensure services are delivered in line with internal and external performance targets. This includes specific responsibility for UKAS accreditation and other laboratory regulations. The post holder will be the organisational Lead Healthcare Scientific Officer (LHSO) for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The purpose of the LHSO is to provide scientific advice of the highest level within the organisation, to improve the delivery of high quality care and provide strong leadership, strategic direction, and influence for healthcare science diagnostic and therapeutic services across the Trust. The LHSO will also support the workforce and leadership development of healthcare scientists in their organisation, bringing with them a wide experience of healthcare science specialisms. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Master's Degree or related professional healthcare qualification (FIBMS or Chartered Scientist or equivalent and demonstrable experience at management level MBA or equivalent relevant experience HCPC State Registration and evidence of CPD Desirable PRINCE 2 Project Management Qualification Experience Essential Proven budget management skills and financial acumen with experience of delivering CIPs within an organisation with a £multi-million turnover Managing diverse teams Negotiation and influencing skills at a senior management level Evidence of delivering and implementing strategic plans Presenting complex plans at Board level Experience of project management roles A demonstrative track record of delivering initiatives to improve quality of care Statistical analysis and presentation Experience of assessing and managing risk Managing UKAS/MHRA/HTA/HSE accreditation and their standards of compliance Desirable NHS experience at a senior management level Communication Skills Essential Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in complex settings, managing multi-dimensional issues Able to communicate with multi-disciplinary teams Excellent facilitation and presentation skills Knowledge Essential Excellent organisational skills, and evidence of these in a multi-disciplinary environment Strong analytical and problem solving skills Able to rapidly assimilate a range of complex (often clinical) information and make expert judgments using advanced analytical skills Skills Essential Ability to motivate others into action by adapting leadership abilities in a confident and proactive style Credible and persuasive negotiation skills when working with senior colleagues Ability to lead a number of complex projects simultaneously and deliver to agreed timescales Ability to analyse complex data and use information to inform judgements Innovation, lean and service improvement skills Person Specification Qualifications Essential Master's Degree or related professional healthcare qualification (FIBMS or Chartered Scientist or equivalent and demonstrable experience at management level MBA or equivalent relevant experience HCPC State Registration and evidence of CPD Desirable PRINCE 2 Project Management Qualification Experience Essential Proven budget management skills and financial acumen with experience of delivering CIPs within an organisation with a £multi-million turnover Managing diverse teams Negotiation and influencing skills at a senior management level Evidence of delivering and implementing strategic plans Presenting complex plans at Board level Experience of project management roles A demonstrative track record of delivering initiatives to improve quality of care Statistical analysis and presentation Experience of assessing and managing risk Managing UKAS/MHRA/HTA/HSE accreditation and their standards of compliance Desirable NHS experience at a senior management level Communication Skills Essential Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in complex settings, managing multi-dimensional issues Able to communicate with multi-disciplinary teams Excellent facilitation and presentation skills Knowledge Essential Excellent organisational skills, and evidence of these in a multi-disciplinary environment Strong analytical and problem solving skills Able to rapidly assimilate a range of complex (often clinical) information and make expert judgments using advanced analytical skills Skills Essential Ability to motivate others into action by adapting leadership abilities in a confident and proactive style Credible and persuasive negotiation skills when working with senior colleagues Ability to lead a number of complex projects simultaneously and deliver to agreed timescales Ability to analyse complex data and use information to inform judgements Innovation, lean and service improvement skills 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Leswey Road, Luton Luton/Bedford LU4 0DZ Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)