General Manager - Surgery & Theatres

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a General Manager for Surgery & Theatres to oversee theatre and outpatient services across WTWA. You will ensure safe and efficient delivery, monitor utilisation, and lead improvement initiatives through data analysis and dashboards.

You will work with clinical leads and operational teams to optimise patient flow, reduce cancellations, and manage resources, staff development, and capital investment processes, ensuring patient safety and

Job description

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

General Manager - Surgery & Theatres

The closing date is 16 November 2026

The successful candidate must have demonstrable previous experience working within a theatre environment, with a strong understanding of theatre operations, utilisation, capacity planning, and the challenges of managing competing clinical and operational priorities. Experience in analysing and interpreting complex data to support service improvement, performance monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making is essential. The candidate should also have experience in line management, resource planning, and supporting financial and capital investment processes, including equipment bids and business cases. Excellent organisational, analytical, and communication skills are required, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with clinical and operational teams to maintain patient safety, improve efficiency, and support the effective delivery of theatre and outpatient services.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provide operational management and oversight of theatre and outpatient services across WTWA, ensuring safe, effective, and efficient service delivery.

Monitor theatre utilisation, capacity, productivity, and performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Collect, analyse, and interpret complex operational data to produce reports, dashboards, and performance information to support evidence-based decision-making.

Work closely with clinical leads, theatre teams, and operational managers to improve patient flow, reduce cancellations, and maximise theatre utilisation.

Provide line management, leadership, supervision, and support to relevant staff, promoting staff development, wellbeing, and accountability.

Support the development of business cases, capital bids, and equipment replacement plans, ensuring investment proposals are supported by robust data and service needs.

Monitor medical equipment requirements, maintenance, replacement priorities, and associated risks to support safe clinical services.

Identify operational risks, implement improvement plans, and elevate issues that may affect patient safety, service capacity, or performance.

Lead and support service improvement initiatives using performance data, audit findings.

Manage competing priorities across theatres and outpatient services, ensuring resources are aligned with operational demands and patient care requirements.

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading, integrated healthcare provider, the largest of its kind in specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, serving over 1 million people per year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are at the forefront of system leadership, innovation, and transformation across Greater Manchester.As a senior manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering our strategic objectives. You will lead complex programmes, drive operational excellence, and influence Trust-wide transformation, working collaboratively with or through Executive and Clinical Leaders to deliver sustainable improvements for our patients, staff, and communities.

MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, vision, and expertise are valued. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, develop future talent, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a commitment to professional development.Join us to make a lasting impact--help shape the future of our Trust, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding care for the people of Manchester, Trafford and beyond.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate or or equivalent level of experience
• Managerial experience or qualification equivalent to post graduate diploma.
• Master's degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience or qualification relating to specialty

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of specific area acquired through a degree or equivalent experience or training.
• Highly specialist knowledge of managing within a NHS healthcare setting e.g. Finance, HR, project/programme management/change
• Highly detailed knowledge and experience of managing performance, capacity, demand and activity
• Knowledge of managing staff within a healthcare setting and significant experience of managing a Directorate.
• Knowledge and experience of project/programme management

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience of and demonstrable achievement in managing healthcare services
• Management of resources with a good track record with change management, efficiency savings and financial recovery plans
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders in the redesign of services
• Experience of project management and imaginative planning.
• Experience of modernising services without additional resources
• Experience of budget setting and managing multiple budgets.
• Experience of managing a diverse team
• Measurable track record in involving and motivating staff to improve performance
• Experience of successfully managing the implementation of change.
• Evidence of professional leadership, leading to innovation in practice
• Experience of identifying education and training needs of staff utilising
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Experience in clinical audit/benchmarking.
• Experienced in complaints management
• Experience of setting establishments and using workforce toolkits including dependency tools.
• Experience in R&D

OTHERS

• Mobility to travel across sites.
• Can use constructive criticism and openly seeks to review and reflect on own style and presentation.
• Resilient and self-motivated with drive and vision, a can do attitude and is able to work on own initiative and manage a range of priorities against competing agendas.

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.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£79,504 to £91,609 a yearper annum (pro rata)