Operations Manager
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 28/08/2026
- Closes
- 06/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for an Operations Manager within Women and Children's Services, responsible for the day-to-day operational management of designated services. The post holder will ensure delivery of key performance, quality, activity, and workforce objectives, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. It requires a proactive leader to balance operational delivery with service development, leading improvement initiatives and managing resources effectively. This is an opportunity to contribute to patient-centred care and foster innovation.
Key responsibilities
- Responsible for the day-to-day operational management of designated services.
- Ensure delivery of key performance, quality, activity and workforce objectives.
- Work collaboratively with clinical, nursing, corporate and multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Support organisational priorities and respond to changing needs of patients, families and staff.
- Lead improvement initiatives, manage resources effectively and use data and performance information to support informed decision-making and sustainable improvements.
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable knowledge of NHS operational management, service delivery and performance management.
- Knowledge of national healthcare targets and standards, including RTT, waiting list management, patient access and quality performance requirements.
- Understanding of service improvement methodologies and change management principles.
- Knowledge of governance, risk management and performance monitoring processes.
- Understanding of workforce, financial and resource management principles.
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience in management, healthcare, business or related field.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- Relevant management or improvement training.
- Significant experience in operational management within an NHS or healthcare setting.
- Experience of managing operational performance against key targets and KPIs.
- Experience of service planning, business case development and service improvement.
- Experience of analysing and presenting complex performance information and operational data.
- Experience of staff management, leadership and performance management.
- Experience of implementing change and driving service improvement.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, influence and engage teams.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across professional groups.
- Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex data and performance information.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify solutions and implement improvements.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast paced environment.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and performance reporting systems.
- Demonstrates the Trust values and behaviours.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to work effectively under pressure.
- Committed to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality patient-centred services.
- Collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership.
- Professional, credible and able to challenge constructively when required.
- Ability to travel between Trust sites and external venues as required.
- Flexible approach to working arrangements to meet service requirements.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Women & Children's services and associated operational challenges.
- Knowledge of NHS funding mechanisms and business planning processes.
- Training in quality improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma or Model for Improvement.
- Experience of service benchmarking and utilisation of comparative performance data.
- Experience of Cost Improvement Programmes (CIPs) and efficiency planning.
- Master's Degree or equivalent experience.
- Leadership or management qualification.
- Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP).
- Experience within Women & Children's services.
- Experience leading divisional or service-wide transformation programmes.
- Experience of managing complex service redesign projects.
- Experience of presenting information to senior management groups and committees.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience of financial management and budget responsibility.
- Advanced facilitation and coaching skills.
- Experience delivering formal presentations and workshops.
- Advanced Excel, Power BI or business intelligence skills.
- Experience of NHS reporting systems and dashboards.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 10d ago · Closes in 0d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Operations Manager
The closing date is 06 September 2026
Job summary
Women and Children's Services provide care to some of the most vulnerable patients and families within our communities. These diverse and dynamic services require strong operational leadership to ensure safe, effective and compassionate care, while supporting workforce wellbeing, service sustainability and continuous improvement.
As a Band 7 Operational Manager, the post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of designated services, ensuring delivery of key performance, quality, activity and workforce objectives. Working collaboratively with clinical, nursing, corporate and multidisciplinary colleagues, they will support organisational priorities and respond to the changing needs of patients, families and staff.
The role requires a proactive and visible leader who can balance operational delivery with service development and transformation. The post holder will lead improvement initiatives, manage resources effectively and use data and performance information to support informed decision-making and sustainable improvements.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of Women and Children's Services, helping to deliver responsive, efficient and patient-centred care while fostering a culture
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