Job summary The Director of Operations is a key part of the divisional senior leadership team, working closely with the Divisional Director and Divisional Director of Nursing. Working with the Divisional Director and based upon the Trusts overall strategic vision and accountability framework, the Director of Operations will drive the Division's strategy and oversee sound systems of governance and performance with support from the Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Please not the provisional date for interview will be Friday 25th April 2025, however this is subject to change Main duties of the job The key responsibilities of the Director of Operations are: Strategically leading the Trusts development of services with partner organisations in line with the Trust strategy Assuring high quality care and compliance with associated standards Meeting contractual and national performance requirements Managing resources efficiently and within budget Proactively monitoring and managing risk within an explicit framework of clinical and quality governance Promoting a positive organisational culture which supports and develops staff and protects patients Contributing to the longer term strategic planning, risk management and sustainability of the Trust and its services Proactively manage the relationships with commissioners and partners including those at Place, and in the Integrated Care System. About us We are delighted to offer a wide range of benefits to employees including: Cycle to Work Travel Scheme Childcare Vouchers with Salary Sacrifice Onsite Nursery Buying and Selling Annual Leave Car Leasing Employee Assistance Programme Employee Health and Wellbeing Extensive Reward Scheme Counselling Service Financial packages including Vivup and Wagestream Staff Networks, Enable, Rainbow, Gender, Race Equality Ecoaware & Admin Network. Our values: We understand that it's down to the hard work, effort and dedication of our staff that makes a difference for our patients. Our people really do make our Airedale experience - we take pride in fostering a friendly, effective and caring work environment. Our values are part of our DNA, which are: Committed to Quality of Care Compassion Working together for patients Improving Lives Everyone Counts Respect and Dignity Got questions before you apply, please contact the recruiting manager to find out more. Date posted 24 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £74,290 to £85,601 a year pro rata per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 423-7082187 Job locations Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Keighley BD20 6TD Job description Job responsibilities Strategy and Leadership In conjunction with the Divisional Director, lead the development of divisional strategies and service improvement programmes to support the Trusts vision and strategic plan. Ensure key stakeholders are fully engaged in shaping the service strategy. To translate Trust and Divisional strategic plans into an annual operating plan which delivers high quality care within the available resources. Develop and promote a commercial and business approach to services which recognises and adapts to the needs of patients and supports the sustainability of the Trust. Be the senior responsible officer for the development of Divisional Services. Develop new ways of working to ensure robust communication channels across the Division are in place, utilising technology to deliver alternatives to face to face meetings. Deputise as necessary for the Divisional Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Performance and Activity To ensure that the Division meets its contractual and nationally mandated performance targets. Monitor the performance of the Division against its agreed objectives using data effectively and be responsible for taking corrective action where performance is not in accordance with objectives. To evaluate service provision across the Division against best practice and manage service improvement initiatives in line with organisational objectives. To ensure effective systems of longer term risk management and sustainability planning. Work with the corporate teams to develop capacity and efficiency plans and in association with the Divisional Management Team implement changes agreed in contract negotiations and ensure the delivery of agreed activity levels. Quality and Governance Lead and develop a culture where safety, quality and excellent patient care are consistently delivered and central to the delivery of all services is in the delivery of services is continuous improvement and innovation. Ensure the patient and carer voice is clearly heard, captured and responded to in all developments. In conjunction with the Divisional Director ensure the Division has effective systems of governance. Including but not limited to: o Risk management and incident reporting via a directorate risk register o Clinical audit and service evaluation o Use of patient feedback o Monitoring of outcomes o Systems for supervision and continuous learning o Systems for clinical supervision and appraisal The Director of Operations in conjunction with the Divisional Director will create the conditions for success: o Set a vision for quality consistent with the Trust overall ambition, the quality account priorities, and support patient safety initiatives. o Ensure effective systems and processes which place service users at the centre of decision making o Ensure safe arrangements for transfers of care and hand overs o Ensure adequate clinical supervision and support for clinical teams o Ensure timely management of complaints and concerns, effective follow through on action plans and a positive approach to embedding learning from incidents. o Actively promote and demonstrate a positive organisational culture o Continuously review and escalate as necessary all key risks within the Division via the Corporate Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework where applicable. To ensure that foreseeable risks are effectively assessed and managed in conjunction with the Risk Management Team. Working with the Divisional Director, the post holder is responsible for assurance that: o CQC, NPSA, NHSLA, Health and Safety EEC Directives, COSHH Policies and local policies operate satisfactorily throughout the Division. o Robust risk management systems and up to date registers operate o Information Governance standards are met o Research Governance standards are met o Security and loss prevention initiatives are in place. o The Duty of Candour requirements are met. o Safeguarding standards are met Workforce and Culture Proactively encourage and role model the Trust Values and Behaviours, in which staff feel valued, empowered and supported. Monitor workforce KPIs, triangulating information on staff absence and turnover with patient experience and outcome data. To ensure arrangements are in place for the effective management of staff, including annual appraisals, clinical supervision and consultant job planning in line with Trust policy. Actively encourage innovation and improvement from others. Actively promote a culture of openness, transparency and candour ensuring that any concern raised is treated seriously and dealt with promptly. To actively involve staff in service development and ensure effective two-way communications with all Divisional employees. Promote a positive culture across and between Divisional and Directorate teams in line with the Trusts values and behaviours. Proactively manage succession and talent management arrangements including the identification of contingency arrangements for unexpected absence of key posts. Work in a way that ensures that all groups of staff are involved in the development and shaping of integrated services and mobilise the energy and commitment of all staff members. Finance To be accountable for day to day budget management and business planning for all services and departments covered by this role within the Division, alongside Directorate triumvirate teams. To ensure budgets reflect the requirements of the service in line with the Divisional plan and are consistent with available resources. To ensure the Division is compliant with the Trusts Governance arrangements and Quality Standards and expectations; Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions. To be responsible for planning and delivery of continuous improvements and efficiencies ensuring that all service changes are subject to Quality Impact Assessment (QIA) and continuous surveillance of quality. 2. GENERAL To develop and foster effective relationships with other Divisions, corporate functions, and support services. To build productive partnerships with local CCG commissioners, Local Authority partners, Primary Care Teams and the Independent and Voluntary Sectors Ensure progress against agreed action plans is made and communicated to all necessary staff. Participate in the senior manager on-call rota. Job description Job responsibilities Strategy and Leadership In conjunction with the Divisional Director, lead the development of divisional strategies and service improvement programmes to support the Trusts vision and strategic plan. Ensure key stakeholders are fully engaged in shaping the service strategy. To translate Trust and Divisional strategic plans into an annual operating plan which delivers high quality care within the available resources. Develop and promote a commercial and business approach to services which recognises and adapts to the needs of patients and supports the sustainability of the Trust. Be the senior responsible officer for the development of Divisional Services. Develop new ways of working to ensure robust communication channels across the Division are in place, utilising technology to deliver alternatives to face to face meetings. Deputise as necessary for the Divisional Director and Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Performance and Activity To ensure that the Division meets its contractual and nationally mandated performance targets. Monitor the performance of the Division against its agreed objectives using data effectively and be responsible for taking corrective action where performance is not in accordance with objectives. To evaluate service provision across the Division against best practice and manage service improvement initiatives in line with organisational objectives. To ensure effective systems of longer term risk management and sustainability planning. Work with the corporate teams to develop capacity and efficiency plans and in association with the Divisional Management Team implement changes agreed in contract negotiations and ensure the delivery of agreed activity levels. Quality and Governance Lead and develop a culture where safety, quality and excellent patient care are consistently delivered and central to the delivery of all services is in the delivery of services is continuous improvement and innovation. Ensure the patient and carer voice is clearly heard, captured and responded to in all developments. In conjunction with the Divisional Director ensure the Division has effective systems of governance. Including but not limited to: o Risk management and incident reporting via a directorate risk register o Clinical audit and service evaluation o Use of patient feedback o Monitoring of outcomes o Systems for supervision and continuous learning o Systems for clinical supervision and appraisal The Director of Operations in conjunction with the Divisional Director will create the conditions for success: o Set a vision for quality consistent with the Trust overall ambition, the quality account priorities, and support patient safety initiatives. o Ensure effective systems and processes which place service users at the centre of decision making o Ensure safe arrangements for transfers of care and hand overs o Ensure adequate clinical supervision and support for clinical teams o Ensure timely management of complaints and concerns, effective follow through on action plans and a positive approach to embedding learning from incidents. o Actively promote and demonstrate a positive organisational culture o Continuously review and escalate as necessary all key risks within the Division via the Corporate Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework where applicable. To ensure that foreseeable risks are effectively assessed and managed in conjunction with the Risk Management Team. Working with the Divisional Director, the post holder is responsible for assurance that: o CQC, NPSA, NHSLA, Health and Safety EEC Directives, COSHH Policies and local policies operate satisfactorily throughout the Division. o Robust risk management systems and up to date registers operate o Information Governance standards are met o Research Governance standards are met o Security and loss prevention initiatives are in place. o The Duty of Candour requirements are met. o Safeguarding standards are met Workforce and Culture Proactively encourage and role model the Trust Values and Behaviours, in which staff feel valued, empowered and supported. Monitor workforce KPIs, triangulating information on staff absence and turnover with patient experience and outcome data. To ensure arrangements are in place for the effective management of staff, including annual appraisals, clinical supervision and consultant job planning in line with Trust policy. Actively encourage innovation and improvement from others. Actively promote a culture of openness, transparency and candour ensuring that any concern raised is treated seriously and dealt with promptly. To actively involve staff in service development and ensure effective two-way communications with all Divisional employees. Promote a positive culture across and between Divisional and Directorate teams in line with the Trusts values and behaviours. Proactively manage succession and talent management arrangements including the identification of contingency arrangements for unexpected absence of key posts. Work in a way that ensures that all groups of staff are involved in the development and shaping of integrated services and mobilise the energy and commitment of all staff members. Finance To be accountable for day to day budget management and business planning for all services and departments covered by this role within the Division, alongside Directorate triumvirate teams. To ensure budgets reflect the requirements of the service in line with the Divisional plan and are consistent with available resources. To ensure the Division is compliant with the Trusts Governance arrangements and Quality Standards and expectations; Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions. To be responsible for planning and delivery of continuous improvements and efficiencies ensuring that all service changes are subject to Quality Impact Assessment (QIA) and continuous surveillance of quality. 2. GENERAL To develop and foster effective relationships with other Divisions, corporate functions, and support services. To build productive partnerships with local CCG commissioners, Local Authority partners, Primary Care Teams and the Independent and Voluntary Sectors Ensure progress against agreed action plans is made and communicated to all necessary staff. Participate in the senior manager on-call rota. Person Specification Experience Essential Proven managerial and leadership experience at a senior level within the NHS Significant experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, including conflict re Experience of planning and managing risk. Experience of strategic thinking and planning. Significant experience of budgetary management (with evidence of control) A track record of leadership, performance improvement and organisational change. Experience of working in a fast-moving and unpredictable environment Experience of developing new services. Experience of engaging at Board level, using motivational and persuasive skills, to gain and maintain "buy-in" to changes Qualifications Essential Master's Degree or equivalent experience Evidence of continuing professional development through short courses or postgraduate training. Desirable Relevant Management Qualification Knowledge Essential Highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiation, persuasive and facilitation skills. High level understanding of NHS policy and national priorities. Able to deliver to tight timescales with competing priorities Knowledge and understanding of - workforce planning - high level performance indicators - business planning cycles - the NHS plan and related priorities - Corporate Governance Well-developed political awareness, influencing, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Ability to identify, develop, nurture and promote innovative approaches to service development, having a transformational leadership style which promotes wide suppor Well-developed delegation, people and workload management skills Ability to develop an inclusive, team-based approach to problem solving and decision-making Demonstrate willingness and ability to challenge existing practice Ability to understand and effectively apply project management methodologies Analytical skills. Person Specification Experience Essential Proven managerial and leadership experience at a senior level within the NHS Significant experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, including conflict re Experience of planning and managing risk. Experience of strategic thinking and planning. Significant experience of budgetary management (with evidence of control) A track record of leadership, performance improvement and organisational change. Experience of working in a fast-moving and unpredictable environment Experience of developing new services. Experience of engaging at Board level, using motivational and persuasive skills, to gain and maintain "buy-in" to changes Qualifications Essential Master's Degree or equivalent experience Evidence of continuing professional development through short courses or postgraduate training. Desirable Relevant Management Qualification Knowledge Essential Highly developed interpersonal, communication, negotiation, persuasive and facilitation skills. High level understanding of NHS policy and national priorities. Able to deliver to tight timescales with competing priorities Knowledge and understanding of - workforce planning - high level performance indicators - business planning cycles - the NHS plan and related priorities - Corporate Governance Well-developed political awareness, influencing, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Ability to identify, develop, nurture and promote innovative approaches to service development, having a transformational leadership style which promotes wide suppor Well-developed delegation, people and workload management skills Ability to develop an inclusive, team-based approach to problem solving and decision-making Demonstrate willingness and ability to challenge existing practice Ability to understand and effectively apply project management methodologies Analytical 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). 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 Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Address Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Keighley BD20 6TD Employer's website https://www.airedale-trust.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)