Deputy Operational Head of Service | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Sussex is seeking a Deputy Operational Head of Service to enhance patient-centred care. This role involves leading operational delivery, managing multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring services are safe and effective. Candidates should have experience in service development and a focus on quality improvement. Flexible working options are available, and the location offers beautiful surroundings near the South Downs and coast.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries

Positive team culture and leadership

Access to diversity and inclusion networks

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational delivery and team management.
• Strong background in quality and performance improvement.
• Ability to lead in risk management and business planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of the service portfolio.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams and promote staff wellbeing.
• Develop action plans based on performance data.

Skills

Supporting and developing teams and individuals

Service and pathway development

Finance, performance and quality improvement

Risk management

Business planning

Integrated working with various teams

Job description

Overview

As the Deputy Operational Head of Service for the Adult Specialist Services portfolio, you will play a pivotal role in leading, coordinating and enhancing the delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centred care. Working in close partnership with the wider senior management team you will support both the operational and clinical Heads of Service to deliver outstanding patient care.

Responsibilities

You will take the lead in the operational delivery and day‑to‑day management of your service portfolio. Working closely with the other Deputy, the Operational and clinical Heads of Service and wider senior leadership team you will ensure that services are safe, effective, financially sustainable and continuously improving.

• Analyse performance data and develop targeted action plans to meet patient needs and contractual obligations.
• Manage and develop multidisciplinary teams, promoting a culture of compassionate leadership and staff wellbeing.
• Plan workforce, recruit and implement policies to uphold consistency and quality across the service.
• Governance and risk management, addressing concerns, complaints and driving service improvement.

Key skills and experience

• Supporting and developing teams and individuals
• Service and pathway development
• Finance, performance and quality improvement
• Risk management
• Business planning
• Integrated working with Quality and Safety, HR, Recruitment, Contracts, Performance and QI teams

Our values

Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do.

Benefits

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement
• Excellent training, development and research opportunities
• Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+ and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Diversity and inclusion

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received. The advert closes on Wednesday 22 Oct 2025.