Deputy General Manager

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust; Burton upon Trent; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust in Burton upon Trent invites applications for the Deputy General Manager - Operations to lead patient flow, capacity and demand management across the organisation. You will work with clinical and divisional teams to meet performance targets and drive service improvements.

The role includes senior leadership during day-to-day operations and on-call periods, with responsibility for escalation processes, policy execution and cross-team

Qualifications

• Senior operations leadership experience in healthcare with complex services.
• First degree or equivalent; CPD evidence required.
• Experience leading teams and engaging across professions.
• Knowledge of demand and capacity tools and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational management of patient flow, capacity and escalation across the Trust.
• Coordinate responses to operational pressures including bed management and discharge processes.
• Support achievement of national and local performance standards through monitoring and improvement.
• Represent and liaise with clinical, operational and corporate teams to enable informed decisions.

Skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Demand and capacity tools

Team motivation

Education

First degree or equivalent experience

Evidence of CPD

Job description

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy General Manager

The closing date is 16 November 2026

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced, forward-thinking and motivated operational leader to join our dynamic and dedicated Site Capacity and Flow team

The Deputy General Manager Operations plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, effective and efficient management of patient flow, capacity and demand across the organisation. Working closely with operational, clinical and divisional teams, the post holder supports the delivery of key operational objectives, national performance standards, financial targets and service improvement initiatives.

The role provides senior operational leadership both during normal working hours and through participation in the Senior Manager On-Call rota, ensuring robust escalation processes, effective communication and coordinated responses to operational pressures.

Closing date of applications - 16 November 2026

Interview date - 30 November 2026

Main duties of the job

• Leading the operational management of patient flow, capacity, demand and escalation processes across the Trust to support timely access to care.
• Coordinating responses to operational pressures, including bed management, discharge processes and emergency care performance.
• Supporting the achievement of national and local performance standards through proactive performance monitoring and service improvement.
• Acting as a key link between clinical, operational and corporate teams to ensure effective communication, collaboration and decision-making.
• Providing visible leadership and management to operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and patient-centred care.
• Participating in the Senior Manager On-Call rota and providing operational leadership during periods of significant escalation, major incidents and business continuity events.
• Leading and contributing to the development and implementation of operational policies, procedures and service improvement programmes.
• Analysing operational data and performance metrics to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement, ensuring informed decision-making.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clinical teams, system partners, commissioners and emergency service providers.
• Deputising for the General Manager as required, representing the service at internal and external meetings

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AIgenerated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

Person Specification

Experience

• Excellent problem solving skills using team when appropriate
• Experience within the Healthcare sector at senior manager level including operational responsibility for complex specialities and services
• Evidence of ability to lead and motivate a team
• Knowledge and understanding of demand and capacity tools and techniques

Qualifications

• First degree or equivalent experience
• Evidence of CPD

Communication and relationship skills

• Evidence ability to adjust plans and actions according to priority and need
• Excellent time management with ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work well, involve and engage with colleagues across all professions / services including evidence of successful team working
• Ability to assess the need for service developments and developing future services

Planning and Organisational skills

• Able to chair and lead meetings, providing relevant documentation
• Able to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities in a changing environment
• Ensure effective management of risk within sphere of responsibility

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.

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust