Care Group Operational Director

The Methodist Church in Britain; Briton Ferry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional training and development

Job summary

Swansea Bay University Health Board is seeking an Operational Director for one of its five care groups to lead operational performance, workforce, resources and service improvement within a clinically led model. You will translate strategy into delivery, oversee governance, budgets and transformation, and line manage several teams, deputising for the Executive Director when required.

The role is full-time at 37.5 hours with a Gold On-Call rota.

Qualifications

• Formal training in change management such as PRINCE2, Lean or Six Sigma.
• Senior management experience in a large, complex organisation with strategic programmes.
• Experience leading measurable service improvement and budget responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and operational delivery across the Care Group, ensuring safety, quality and efficiency.
• Oversee transformation programmes, medium-term and annual plans.
• Translate strategy into routine performance, workforce, resources and improvement actions.
• Model compassionate, inclusive leadership and psychological safety.
• Shape a values-driven culture emphasising staff wellbeing and high performance.
• Ensure patient-centred care prioritising patients, families and communities.
• Maintain workforce responsibility, including compliance with legislation and standards.
• Line manage multiple diverse teams covering recruitment, appraisal and discipline.
• Collaborate with clinical leaders and deputies to support decision-making.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Data-informed decision making

Education

Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data governance tools

Job description

Operational Director for one of five care groups in Swansea Bay University Health Board's new clinically led model, covering medicine, surgery, women and children's services, mental health and learning disabilities, or cancer and clinical services. Post-holder leads operational performance, workforce, resources and service improvement, working alongside clinical and professional leaders. Full-time at 37.5 hours a week, with a Gold On-Call rota and deputising for the Executive Director. Applicants state their top three care group preferences.

What the job involves

• Lead strategic and operational delivery across all services in the Care Group, keeping them safe, high-quality, efficient and aligned to population health needs
• Lead service transformation and sustainability programmes, including medium-term and annual strategic and operational plans
• Translate strategic priorities into operational delivery, covering performance, workforce planning, resource management and service improvement
• Lead continuous improvement through compassionate leadership, inclusion and psychological safety
• Shape a values-driven culture that supports staff wellbeing, engagement and high performance
• Ensure patient-centred care that prioritises the needs of patients, families and the wider community
• Hold full workforce responsibility, including compliance with legislation and service standards
• Line manage several diverse teams, covering recruitment, appraisal, performance management, disciplinary and grievance processes
• Work as a key member of the Care Group triumvirate with clinical and professional leaders, supporting clinically led decision-making
• Participate in the Gold On-Call rota
• Deputise for the Executive Director as required

What’s required

Qualifications

• Formal training in change management, such as PRINCE2, Lean or Six Sigma

Experience

• Senior management or leadership experience in a large, complex organisation, including leading strategic programmes and measurable service improvement
• Managing high-performing teams, including coaching, performance management and talent development
• Influencing senior stakeholders, clinicians, executives and external partners
• Developing complex business cases, strategic reports, risk assessments and Board-level papers
• Interpreting and presenting complex data, and managing large budgets, resources and operational plans

Skills & knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of NHS structures, strategic planning, governance and national policy
• In-depth understanding of workforce, operational or service group delivery in complex healthcare
• Highly developed knowledge of quality improvement and service redesign
• Comprehensive understanding of financial planning, risk, performance management and resource allocation
• Working knowledge of digital transformation, data governance and business intelligence tools (ILM, MBA or coaching accreditation given as examples)
• Exceptional analytical, conceptual and critical-thinking skills, plus strategic communication and Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

Other

• Ability to evaluate complex issues and make evidence-based recommendations to influence and negotiate at executive and senior clinical level
• Managing multiple priorities under pressure, interpreting data and applying insights to redesign services
• Leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams through uncertainty and change, including long-term strategic programmes
• Compassionate, inclusive, values-driven leadership aligned to NHS Wales values

Nice to have

• Welsh language skills at levels 1 to 5 across understanding, speaking, reading and writing
• Postgraduate qualification in healthcare leadership or quality improvement

What’s offered

• Professional training and development opportunities