Associate Director of Operations (Planned Care) - Band 8D

NHS; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 91,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Lincoln is seeking an Associate Director of Operations Planned Care. This critical leadership role aims to unite teams towards a vision for high-quality patient care. The successful candidate will oversee strategic programs, manage challenges, and enhance operational efficiency across elective pathways. Ideal candidates will have advanced qualifications, senior leadership experience in healthcare, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes. A strong focus on innovation and teamwork is essential.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Continuous professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Highly specialist knowledge of healthcare at master's level.
• Recognized change management or analytical qualification.
• Significant senior operational leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage operations ensuring efficient service delivery.
• Provide oversight of elective pathways, ensuring patient care is timely.
• Engage with system-wide colleagues to address healthcare challenges.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Strategic management

Change management

Education

Master's Qualification in healthcare

Change management qualification

Job description

Job summary

The Associate Director of Operations Planned care is a key leadership role helping to engage and bring together teams to create a vision, culture and approach to delivery that aligns with corporate priorities and group wide initiatives. Ultimately supporting the provision of the highest quality and safe patient care through professional operational and strategic leadership and management actions creating a culture of continuous improvement in accordance with NHS management standards. The postholder will report to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO), holding oversight of strategic programmes and projects, issues and risks associated with transformation and improvement plans. The post holder will be expected to identify and manage challenges and blockages, whether they be technical or cultural, dealing sensitively with these while delivering results.

Main duties of the job

Elective Recovery

Elective Performance

Productivity and efficiency

Activity and annual planning

Effective Capacity Management

Escalation management and processes

Leadership of improvement programs that relate to elective pathways

Operational elements of Emergency Planning and Seasonal Planning (i.e. Winter Plan)

Represent ULTH at System/Regional/National Forums, acting as ULTH lead for system improvement initiatives relating to planned care.

About us

Lincoln Hospital is a thriving university city and with the opening of the medical school, it provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been granted teaching hospital status, after demonstrating evidence to significant teaching commitment. From now on it will be known as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Pilgrim Hospital is situated in beautiful countryside and serves the communities in the South Lincolnshire area. It provides all major specialties and a 24-hour major accident and emergency service.

Grantham and District Hospital serves the communities of Grantham and the local area. It provides ambulatory paediatric and accident and emergency services.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have come together in a Group arrangement, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients across the county.

This will not constitute a formal merger of the two organisations, but will bring the Trusts together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team, with the goal of improving the care that is provided to patients both in the community and in hospitals across Lincolnshire. Both Trusts will retain their separate statutory names and legal obligations.

The Group will be known as Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).

Details

Date posted: 19 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year Dependant on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

357-LN-842-25-QIA1735

Job locations

Lincoln County Hospital, Greetwell Road, Lincoln LN2 5QY

Job responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Work as a dynamic, innovative leader using an effective coaching style to ensure that the Trust is run effectively and efficiently.
• Provide strong, visible leadership ensuring that effective management and performance systems are in place and individuals and teams are aware of their personal responsibilities.

Service Delivery, Business Management and Performance

• Provide Trust wide oversight of elective pathways, from referral to treatment, including outpatients, diagnostics, screening, inpatient and day case activity.
• Support the Care Groups in the management of elective care, ensuring patients receive safe and effective care in a timely manner.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of healthcare at master's level or holds a master's Qualification in this field.
• A recognised change management, analytical or finance qualification, or equivalent highly specialised knowledge in this area.
• MBA or equivalent senior and/or strategic management experience.
• Evidence of CPD.

Previous Experience Essential

• Significant senior operational leadership experience in an acute setting in either a senior corporate operational role or general management.
• Demonstrable experience of performance management against key indicators/ productivity metrics improving operational service delivery, quality and patient experience.
• In depth knowledge of governance and risk management.
• Proven track record in leadership and delivering sustainable change through effective resource and people management and complex organisational change.
• Managing significant budgets for all areas relating to the role for both pay, non-pay and capital including the identification & delivery of savings targets.
• Evidence of successfully engaging and influencing clinical and/or medical managers.

Desirable

• Successful leadership of elective pathway at Trust level.
• Experience of working with system (ICS) colleagues to resolve system wide issues.
• Specific knowledge of the elective pathway in an acute setting.
• Specific knowledge of system wide planned care services and challenges.

Knowledge, Skills and Aptitudes Essential

• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the NHS and social care system and the challenges and opportunities facing Acute Trusts.
• Understanding of clinical and corporate governance requirements.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge and application of engagement tools and techniques.
• An understanding of the strategic issues facing Trust services.
• Leadership skills and able to influence across internal and external boundaries and get results.
• Ability to conceptualise the end vision while attending to the detail.
• Able to develop cost effective and straight forward systems to convey complex messages simply.

Specific Requirements Essential

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the vision, mission, values and objectives of the Trust.
• Exhibits a high level of personal integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Employs effective communication, influencing, negotiation and relationship‑building skills across all levels and contexts.
• Applies strategic, analytical and creative thinking to solve problems and make decisions.
• Embraces innovation, learning and excellence as core principles of transformation and change.
• Develops and empowers others through coaching, mentoring and feedback.
• Effectively manages and supports staff, conducts objective setting, undertakes appraisals and provides feedback on performance.
• Resilient – must be able to work in controversial and emotive situations where significant resistance to change may be experienced.

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 UK Visas and Immigration website.

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.

Employer details

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Lincoln County Hospital, Greetwell Road, Lincoln LN2 5QY

https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/