Job summary Stakeholder Interview: 24.03.25 / Panel Interview: 27.03.25 The Trust is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and highly experienced improvement and OD leader to drive a culture of continuous improvement and leadership development. This is a pivotal role in shaping how we develop our people, improve our services, and embed sustainable change across UHSussex. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, the successful candidate will lead our Kaizen and continuous improvement approach, ensuring improvement is at the heart of everything we do. They will also drive organisational development and leadership programmes, working across a complex matrix structure with divisional, people, and strategy teams to enable meaningful, system-wide transformation. This is a key opportunity for a credible leader with a strong track record in OD and improvement at board/sub-board level. The role requires strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a hands-on approach to delivering impact at scale. For an informal discussion, please contact Dr Andy Heeps, Deputy Chief Executive, via his EA, Nicky Burrage (nicola.burrage1nhs.net). Main duties of the job The Director of Improvement and Organisational Development (DIOD) is a key leadership role within UHSussex, responsible for embedding a culture of continuous improvement, organisational development, and leadership development across the Trust. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, the DIOD will integrate improvement methodologies with cultural and organisational change to enhance staff engagement, operational effectiveness, and patient care. This role will provide strategic oversight for the improvement and organisational development agenda, ensuring alignment with NHS Impact principles, strategic priorities, and annual Breakthrough Objectives. Working collaboratively across clinical and corporate teams, the DIOD will ensure staff at all levels are empowered to drive and sustain meaningful change. The post holder will work closely with the Director of Strategy, the People and HR team, and other senior leaders to align improvement and OD initiatives with broader transformation efforts while ensuring a focus on operational sustainability. About us At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/ Date posted 26 February 2025 Pay scheme Very senior manager (VSM) Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 279-7009262-FEB25 Job locations Worthing Hospital Lyndhurst Road Worthing BN11 2DH Job description Job responsibilities Lead the development and implementation of the Trusts improvement and OD strategy, ensuring measurable and sustainable improvements in patient care, operational efficiency, and staff engagement. Ensure all improvement initiatives align with NHS Impact principles, strategic priorities, and annual Breakthrough Objectives. Develop and oversee leadership and management development programmes, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Drive the Trusts cultural transformation programme, embedding compassionate, inclusive, and psychologically safe leadership at all levels. Develop and oversee leadership development programmes, including executive coaching, talent pipelines, and management development frameworks. Establish a robust governance framework for improvement and OD, ensuring measurable outcomes aligned to strategic priorities and Breakthrough Objectives. Provide Board-level reporting on cultural transformation, leadership development, and improvement performance. Oversee the development and delivery of improvement training programmes, ensuring staff across all levels have the skills to lead and implement improvement initiatives. Lead OD interventions that support high-performing teams, staff engagement, and talent retention across the Trust. Collaborate with HR and workforce teams to embed OD principles into recruitment, career progression, and staff development initiatives. Actively contribute to the Trusts senior leadership team, participating in corporate decision-making and strategy development. Take part in the Trusts Director on call rota. Ensure all improvement and OD initiatives align with NHS Impact and Trust-wide priorities. For further information, please review the Job Description and Person Specification. Job description Job responsibilities Lead the development and implementation of the Trusts improvement and OD strategy, ensuring measurable and sustainable improvements in patient care, operational efficiency, and staff engagement. Ensure all improvement initiatives align with NHS Impact principles, strategic priorities, and annual Breakthrough Objectives. Develop and oversee leadership and management development programmes, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Drive the Trusts cultural transformation programme, embedding compassionate, inclusive, and psychologically safe leadership at all levels. Develop and oversee leadership development programmes, including executive coaching, talent pipelines, and management development frameworks. Establish a robust governance framework for improvement and OD, ensuring measurable outcomes aligned to strategic priorities and Breakthrough Objectives. Provide Board-level reporting on cultural transformation, leadership development, and improvement performance. Oversee the development and delivery of improvement training programmes, ensuring staff across all levels have the skills to lead and implement improvement initiatives. Lead OD interventions that support high-performing teams, staff engagement, and talent retention across the Trust. Collaborate with HR and workforce teams to embed OD principles into recruitment, career progression, and staff development initiatives. Actively contribute to the Trusts senior leadership team, participating in corporate decision-making and strategy development. Take part in the Trusts Director on call rota. Ensure all improvement and OD initiatives align with NHS Impact and Trust-wide priorities. For further information, please review the Job Description and Person Specification. Person Specification Experience/Qualifications Essential Master's level qualification in improvement science, healthcare management, organisational development, or equivalent experience. Extensive experience in leading improvement and OD programmes within a complex healthcare environment. Proven track record in embedding cultural and leadership development initiatives aligned with organisational priorities. Experience in working at Board level, influencing strategy, and leading large-scale change programmes. Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in operational performance, staff engagement, and patient care. Desirable Certification in Lean/Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) or equivalent improvement methodology. Skills Essential Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organisation. Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with a focus on delivering sustainable, evidence-based change. Ability to triangulate cultural intelligence from multiple data sources to shape improvement and OD strategies. High resilience and adaptability, ensuring sustained progress in a complex and dynamic NHS environment. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role). Person Specification Experience/Qualifications Essential Master's level qualification in improvement science, healthcare management, organisational development, or equivalent experience. Extensive experience in leading improvement and OD programmes within a complex healthcare environment. Proven track record in embedding cultural and leadership development initiatives aligned with organisational priorities. Experience in working at Board level, influencing strategy, and leading large-scale change programmes. Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in operational performance, staff engagement, and patient care. Desirable Certification in Lean/Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) or equivalent improvement methodology. Skills Essential Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organisation. Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with a focus on delivering sustainable, evidence-based change. Ability to triangulate cultural intelligence from multiple data sources to shape improvement and OD strategies. High resilience and adaptability, ensuring sustained progress in a complex and dynamic NHS environment. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role). 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). 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). Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) Address Worthing Hospital Lyndhurst Road Worthing BN11 2DH Employer's website https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)