Associate Director of Operations, Children, Young People & Families

NHS; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in Nottingham is seeking an experienced Associate Director of Operations for Children, Young People & Families. The role involves providing strategic leadership, driving service transformation, and ensuring high-quality care delivery. Candidates should have a Master's degree and significant NHS experience, with a strong focus on operational performance and stakeholder engagement. The position offers a competitive salary of £76,965 to £88,682 per annum.

Benefits

In-house occupational health services

Employee-led staff networks

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in NHS operations and leadership.
• Proven ability to drive transformation in complex environments.
• Experience managing large teams and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for CYPF services.
• Drive service transformation and improve care pathways.
• Ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission standards.

Skills

Leadership

Operational management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree

Management qualification

Job description

Go back Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Director of Operations, Children, Young People & Families

The closing date is 03 December 2025

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to join Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as Associate Director of Operations for Children, Young People & Families (CYPF). This is a pivotal role within our Care Group, responsible for driving operational excellence, improving outcomes, and leading transformation across a Care Unit which is delivering integrated services and has been judged "Outstanding" and "Good" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

You will work within the Triumvirate Leadership Team, partnering with clinical and professional leads to deliver Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-Led Services and clinical pathways for children, young people, and families. Your leadership will focus on operational delivery, transformation, service redesign, performance improvement, and partnership working to ensure the best possible outcomes for the communities we serve.

You will work closely with Partners across the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Local Government, and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, delivering shared priorities, including: Best Start for Children, Young People and Families, The multi‑agency Families First Programme and The NHS Long Term Plan (Ten‑Year Forward View).

We are seeking a candidate with the ability to lead with purpose internally and across partnerships, driving innovation and transformation that makes a measurable difference.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for CYPF services, ensuring delivery of high‑quality care.
• Work collaboratively within the Triumvirate Leadership Model to set strategic direction and deliver service goals.
• Drive service transformation and redesign, improving care pathways and tackling health inequalities.
• Build strong partnerships across the Integrated Care System (ICS), including Local Government and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, to deliver joined‑up care.
• Take a system leadership role in delivering key priorities:
  • Best Start for Children, Young People and Families
  • The multi‑agency Families First Programme
  • The NHS Long Term Plan (Ten‑Year Forward View)
• Ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission standards, Trust policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage budgets, workforce planning, and resources to deliver financial efficiency and operational effectiveness.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement, staff engagement, and innovation.

About us

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee‑led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in‑house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net‑zero commitment.

Job responsibilities

• Leadership & Governance
  • Provide visible leadership and foster a culture of engagement and improvement.
  • Establish robust governance and risk management systems within the Care Unit.
• Operational Performance & Strategic Management
  • Deliver annual business plans aligned with Trust priorities and national policy.
  • Monitor performance against KPIs and ensure sustainability of improvements.
• Quality & Service User Focus
  • Promote a people‑focused approach to service delivery.
  • Ensure clinical safety and quality standards are met across all service lines.
• Accountable for managing budgets and achieving financial targets.
• Lead cost improvement programmes and ensure best value in resource utilisation.
• People & Workforce
  • Provide strong line management, supervision, and appraisal for operational managers.
  • Promote staff development, engagement, and compliance with mandatory training.
• Work with commissioners, local authorities, and voluntary sector partners to deliver integrated care pathways.
• Engage service users and carers in service redesign and improvement.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Managerial or professional knowledge acquired through Masters degree, supplemented by specialist training to doctorate or equivalent level, management qualification or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development, particularly in leadership and/or strategy.
• Recognised leadership qualification.

Experience

• Significant and senior level experience of NHS, social care, local authorities and more broadly across the government, private and voluntary sector providers.
• Demonstrable track record of achievement in leading and implementing change in a large‑scale complex organisation.
• Experience of involving service users and carers in service redesign and improvement.
• Significant experience of managing and motivating diverse and multi‑professional teams, transforming cultures.
• Experience of working in partnership with other NHS Trusts / primary care services / voluntary sector.
• Experience in the management of large budgets.
• Highly developed analytical, political and judgement skills alongside excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiating 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.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Highbury Hospital (Subject to Agreement)

£76,965 to £88,682 a yearper annum (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

186-1364-25-CS

Job locations

Highbury Hospital (Subject to Agreement)