General Manager - Theatres and Sterile Services

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a General Manager for Theatres and Sterile Services. This role involves leading the Directorate to ensure high-quality patient services, managing improvement programmes, and overseeing crucial operational areas under a £33.4m budget. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong understanding of quality, performance, and finance, while fostering continuity in service delivery across multiple hospital sites. Cross-site working is required, emphasizing effective leadership during transitional changes in healthcare services.

Qualifications

• Breadth of knowledge across all aspects of the portfolio.
• Ability to lead the Theatres Improvement Programme.
• Experience in overseeing capital equipment replacement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Theatres Improvement Programme for better utilisation.
• Commission new theatres as part of the Transforming Care Together Programme.
• Oversee the Sterile Services capital equipment replacement programme.

Job description

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.

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.

• Lead 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.
• Deliver 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.

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.