General Manager - Theatres and Sterile Services

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bournemouth is seeking a General Manager for Theatres and Sterile Services to lead operational priorities and improve service delivery. The role demands broad NHS operational management experience and strong leadership in clinical partnerships. The successful candidate will oversee budget management and efficiency improvement initiatives, ensuring the provision of high-quality patient services. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to significant changes in healthcare delivery at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Qualifications

• Broad operational management experience within an Acute NHS Trust environment.
• Experience of successful delivery efficiency improvement and transformation programmes.
• Expert knowledge of NHS reporting regimes including compliance with performance targets and effective pathway management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Directorate in delivering the agreed strategic and operational priorities.
• Maintain knowledge of all aspects of the portfolio including managing Theatres Improvement Programme.
• Deliver a robust and consistent service across all aspects of the Directorate.

Skills

Ability to work effectively in partnership with clinical leaders

Education

Evidence of post-qualification study/professional development to master's level

Job description

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

General Manager - Theatres and Sterile Services

The closing date is 28 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of General Manager for Theatres and Sterile Services at University Hospitals Dorset. The successful candidate will lead the Directorate in ensuring the provision of high-quality patient services that are clinically safe, delivered cost effectively and meet the Trust's values, mission and strategic themes in line with the Patient First approach. The Transforming Care Together Programme is underway and will establish an Emergency Site at The Royal Bournemouth Hospital and a Planned Care Site at Poole Hospital in the Summer of 2026. This role will be integral in supporting Theatres and Sterile Services to prepare for this significant and exciting change as well as ensuring continuity of service continues day to day. The General Manager is accountable to the Group Director of Operations for the delivery of all elements of the Directorate Operational Plan including quality, performance, finance, workforce and strategy. If you would like an informal discussion regarding this opportunity please email Abigail Daughters, Group Director of Operations or Nichola House, Interim Deputy Group Director of Operations to contact you. Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital but cross site working will be required Interview Date: TBC - w/c 5th January 2026

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead the Directorate in delivering the agreed strategic and operational priorities, focusing on quality, performance, workforce and finance including a delegated Efficiency Improvement Programme. The successful candidate will be required to maintain a significant breadth of knowledge of all aspects of their portfolio. This will include leading the Theatres Improvement Programme to improve utilisation and increase productivity in line with GIRFT, commission new theatres at Poole as part of the Transforming Care Together Programme, oversee the capital equipment replacement programme underway within the Sterile Services Department as well as delivering a robust and consistent service across all aspects of the Directorate. At UHD there are 30 operating theatres located across The Royal Bournemouth and Poole Hospital sites which cover a range of surgical services including: Gynaecology; Head and Neck; General Surgery; Trauma and Orthopaedics; Elective and Emergency Obstetrics; Vascular and Emergency theatre activity. The Directorate has c. 460 staff and a budget of £33.4m with Sterile Services being based at Alderney in Poole on a dedicated site.

About us

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview. Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and condition

Qualifications

• Evidence of post-qualification study/professional development to master's level (post grad certificate/MBA/MSc) or equivalent general management experience.

Experience

• Broad operational management experience within an Acute NHS Trust environment.
• Experience of successful delivery efficiency improvement and transformation programmes.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work effectively in partnership with clinical leaders.

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of NHS reporting regimes including compliance with performance targets and effective pathway management.
• Significant experience of clinical governance structures and processes.

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.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust