Band 7, Service Manager, Surgery | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare trust in Watford seeks a Service Manager to oversee operational management within the Surgery division. The successful candidate will ensure high-quality service delivery across multiple sites and manage resources effectively. Strong interpersonal skills, operational management experience, and the ability to work under pressure are essential. Flexible working is supported along with a good work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for staff wellbeing

Variety of roles within healthcare

Qualifications

• Proactive and highly organised individual required.
• Experience in operational management, performance reporting, and financial management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the specialty.
• Manage budgets and contribute to business planning.
• Work closely with clinical teams to improve patient experience.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to meet tight deadlines

Operational management experience

Job description

Overview

An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and organised individual to join the team as Service manager within the Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cancer division working in the General Surgery portfolio – encompassing Colorectal, Upper GI, Vascular and Breast surgery; and the Head and Neck portfolio – encompassing ENT, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics and Ophthalmology.

These roles require a proactive and highly organised individual who embodies the Trust values. You’ll need excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to meet tight deadlines, and maintain positive working relationships. You’ll collaborate with service leads to address challenges and ensure smooth, efficient service. These positions involve working across multiple sites: Watford General Hospital, St Albans Hospital and occasionally Hemel Hempstead Hospital. This role requires regular time on site (80%) and cannot be fully remote. The Trust is supportive of flexible working and requests will be considered in line with the needs of the service and working patterns across the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the specialty, ensuring delivery of RTT, cancer, and performance targets.
• Manage budgets, deliver cost improvements, and contribute to business planning and service development.
• Provide visible leadership, line manage staff, and ensure workforce planning, appraisals, and development are in place.
• Work closely with clinical teams to improve pathways, patient experience, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure accurate reporting, data analysis, and effective demand and capacity planning.
• Manage staff recruitment, attendance, and HR processes in line with Trust policies.
• Ensure effective communication, addressing complaints, and representing clinical and operational teams.
• Support ongoing projects such as the planned new hospital at Watford and updates to theatres at St Albans City Hospital as part of service development.
• We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
• Staff wellbeing and development are a priority; innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes, and patient experience is encouraged.

Working pattern and environment

Flexible working options are offered; the role involves across-site work with a strong on-site presence. The post holder will provide day-to-day operational management for the assigned specialty ensuring services are responsive, innovative, and provided to the highest possible standard, with responsibility to meet operational, performance, and financial targets and to support managers in moving forward agreed projects to improve service delivery.

Qualifications and skills

• Proactive, highly organised individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and maintain positive working relationships across teams.
• Experience in operational management, performance reporting, and financial management within a healthcare setting is beneficial.
• Ability to work across multiple sites and manage demand and capacity planning.

Additional information

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The Post Holder will provide day to day operational management for the assigned specialty ensuring that these services are responsive, innovative, and provided to the highest possible standard. The post holder will take responsibility to ensure all operational, performance, and financial targets are met and support the Managers in moving forward agreed projects to improve service delivery.

This advert closes on Monday 29 Sep 2025