Deputy Portering Operations Manager

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Portering Operations Manager to lead the Portering Services, ensuring safe, efficient delivery across Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital.

This hands-on leadership role requires strong operational management, staff development, and the ability to work across 7-day rotas, with opportunities for development within the Portering management structure.

Qualifications

• Education to foundation degree level in Facilities Management, Business Administration, or related subject or equivalent experience.
• Health and Safety qualification (IOSH, NEBOSH) or willingness to work towards one.
• Experience supervising or coordinating operational teams within healthcare or similar environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams).

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating the Portering workforce, day-to-day management of Supervisors and Porters, ensuring staff deployment and service standards.
• Managing live operational activity, resolving issues, supporting emergency response, ensuring continuity across shifts using digital rostering systems.
• Driving service quality, monitoring performance data, supporting audits, producing reports, and implementing new systems and technologies.
• Overseeing training, induction, appraisal processes, and adherence to Trust policies, Health & Safety requirements, and infection-control standards.

Education

Foundation degree in Facilities Management / Business Administration or related subject (or equivalent experience)

Tools

Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)

Job description

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Job Title

Deputy Portering Operations Manager

Contract Type

Permanent

Previous applicants need not apply.

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Introduction

The Deputy Portering Operations Manager for Portering Services plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and responsive delivery of Portering services across the Trust. This is a dynamic leadership position that supports the smooth running of patient flow and essential operational activity across both Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital sites.

Working for our organisation, we are one of the largest acute teaching Trusts and offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating the Portering workforce, providing day-to-day management of Supervisors and Porters, ensuring staff are deployed effectively, and service standards are consistently met.
• Managing live operational activity, resolving issues independently, supporting emergency response, and ensuring continuity of service across all shifts using digital task management and rostering systems.
• Driving service quality and improvement, monitoring performance data, supporting audits, producing reports, and contributing to the implementation of new systems and technologies.
• Supporting staff development and compliance, overseeing training, induction, appraisal processes, and ensuring adherence to Trust policies, Health & Safety requirements, and infection-control standar

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will make a direct impact on patient experience, operational efficiency, and the smooth running of essential hospital services.

We are looking for someone who brings strong operational leadership, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to manage a busy, fast‑moving service.

Ideal Candidate

• Experience supervising or coordinating Portering in a healthcare or fast paced operational environment.
• Experience of delivering a service through an operational team, including staff deployment, roster management, prioritising and adjusting resources to meet changing demands
• Experience of a portering service including patient and equipment transfers would be an added extra but can be taught.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate staff, build positive working relationships, and maintain professionalism under pressure.
• The ability to work independently, using sound judgement, initiative, and analytical thinking to resolve issues and support service improvement.

Additional Information

The postholder will report to the Portering Operations Manager and work closely with the Site Operations Team, clinical departments, and a wide range of internal stakeholders. You will also deputise for the Portering Operations Manager when required, providing leadership across shifts and ensuring the service remains resilient, well‑coordinated, and responsive to operational demands.

NHS experience is welcome, but we also encourage applications from candidates with operational management experience in sectors such as the Armed Forces, retail, catering, warehousing, or similar service environments.

If you have experience leading teams on site, delivering services through others, and creating a supportive and engaged workforce, we would like to hear from you.

This role supports a 7‑day service, so the postholder will be required to work across a rota that includes weekdays and weekends.

Training will be provided, and opportunities will be available to develop leadership skills and advance within the Portering management structure.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to foundation degree level in Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related subject or equivalent experience
• Health and Safety qualification (e.g., IOSH, NEBOSH) or willingness to work towards one

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience supervising or coordinating operational teams within a healthcare or similar operational environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and promote a culture of safety, respect, compassion, and inclusion
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of relevant, statutory requirements, and operational standards
• Experience supporting service improvement initiatives or change management
• Practical knowledge of portering operations, including staff deployment, patient and equipment transfers, and service delivery

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to motivate staff and build effective working relationships across departments
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain professionalism under pressure, including during emergency or time‑critical situations
• Capable of working independently, using initiative and sound judgement with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and promote a culture of safety, respect, compassion, and inclusion