Assistant General Manager - Surgical Division

Candino CA; Colchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced operational manager to join our team in the key leadership role of Assistant General Manager.

We are looking for an operationally experienced individual who is keen to work on developing existing services and providing motivation and support to the wider teams, encouraging optimum utilisation and productivity across all areas.

Please note: There are two positions available:

• Theatres, Anaesthetics and Critical Care based in Ipswich with cross‑site cover for Colchester at times; Gastroenterology, General Surgery and Urology, based in Colchester with travel to Ipswich weekly.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will play a major role in the continuing development of service delivery for the benefit of our patients and high‑quality patient focused care.

You will work closely with other services across the organisation, contribute to the delivery and implementation of the strategic plan for the service, as well as operational management whilst maintaining financial performance.

You will ensure the achievements of a high standard service, delivery of key performance indicators and continual development and review of processes for improving productivity and efficiency while working to national and internal quality standards.

If you enjoy being part of a close‑knit team, working alongside clinical and nursing colleagues, thrive on a fast‑paced, high‑pressed and challenging environment then this is the job for you.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure that service delivery standards are achieved (for instance, wait time milestones).
• Work collaboratively with the Divisional Director, Clinical Leads, other CDG leads Clinical Services, and other colleagues to ensure that service delivery and improvement plans are developed, implemented and reviewed.
• Ensure that financial controls are established and maintained within the relevant clinical specialties.
• Act as a champion for patient safety, operational effectiveness and quality.

About Us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Details

• Date posted: 29 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8a
• Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time
• Reference number: 432‑HR1063‑25
• Job locations: Colchester/ Ipswich Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience of working in a management/leadership role
• Experience of managing, leading and motivating a team
• Leading service changes to improve performance
• Responsible for a budget and budget setting
• Business case development and annual planning, longer‑term planning
• Educated to masters level or equivalent experience
• Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience at post‑graduate level

Desirable Requirements

• Project Management Qualification
• NHS IT systems (knowledge)

Knowledge

• In depth understanding of change management
• Able to use IT systems including Microsoft Office
• Good understanding of the current NHS agenda and healthcare policy
• Risk management and governance

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.

Employer Details

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Colchester/ Ipswich Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL

Website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/