Associate Operations Manager - MSK Directorate | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site leisure facilities

Shopping concourse on-site

Day nurseries

Stagecoach bus travel at reduced cost

Park and Ride free between sites

Parking on-site subsidised

Staff pod break spaces

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Associate Operations Manager for the MSK Directorate in Cambridge. You will act with autonomy to support delivery of high-quality patient care, manage designated service areas, and drive operational performance against targets within available resources.

You will collaborate with clinical leaders and senior staff to develop services, improve patient pathways, and lead governance and risk management processes in a demanding

Qualifications

• Operational leadership experience in a health service.
• Ability to manage budgets and performance targets.
• Stakeholder engagement with clinical and non-clinical teams.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Operations Manager across the MSK Directorate.
• Lead the planning, development and delivery of service improvements and projects.
• Oversee target delivery within budgeted resources and support business planning.

Job description

Associate Operations Manager - MSK Directorate | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced operational leader looking for your next challenge? Do you have the vision, drive and leadership skills to make a real difference to the delivery of high-quality patient care?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious leader to take on a key operational role, working with autonomy and authority to support the delivery of services, in the MSK directorate.

You will play a pivotal role in the effective management and performance of your designated service areas, ensuring the delivery of key operational targets within available resources.

You will work closely with clinical and operational colleagues, senior medical staff and divisional leaders to support service development, improve pathways and ensure services continue to meet the needs of our patients and the organisation.

We are looking for a confident, proactive and resilient operational leader with the ability to manage complex services, influence stakeholders and deliver sustainable improvements in a demanding healthcare environment.

The key focus of this post will be to deputise over the wholebusiness unit, working with autonomy and authority to act on behalf of the Operations Manager. Such duties would include restructuring of teams and changes to service or pathway delivery. Deputise for senior leaders within the Division in both planned and unplanned scenarios.

The post holder will manage the service areas they are responsible for, ensuring the delivery of key targets within the budgeted resources available. They will contribute to strategic and annual business planning for the business unit, including the engagement of senior medical and other staff, as required. They will also lead the planning, development and implementation of service improvement, capital and other projects for the business unit for both internal and regional where appropriate.

They will lead clinical governance processes within their business unit and assist in the management of risk.

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 15th November 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 24th November 2026.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

Right to Work

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

This advert closes on Sunday 15 Nov 2026

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust