Senior Operational Performance Lead

Transformation Unit; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Operational Performance Lead (Band 8b) to drive operational performance improvement across a portfolio of services. The role focuses on constitutional standards, elective recovery and key access targets, providing senior leadership and credible plans translated into operational action.

The post holder will lead recovery plans, validate pathways, improve data quality and coordinate reporting for executive audiences, ensuring

Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years management experience in healthcare.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Formal training in project/programme management or AGILE methods.
• Leadership/management qualification.
• Formal training in performance management or transformation methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead performance improvement and recovery activity across a defined portfolio of services.
• Develop, coordinate and monitor recovery plans aligned to Trust objectives.
• Oversee PTL management, pathway validation, clock stop accuracy and risk escalation.
• Support control rooms and other operational grip arrangements to identify backlog risks.
• Analyse complex performance data and translate into actionable recommendations.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting supporting improvement priorities.
• Lead projects relating to elective recovery, access improvement, backlog reduction, validation, demand and capacity, or transformation.
• Build strong relationships with divisional leaders and clinical teams to secure engagement.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Data interpretation

Negotiation & conflict resolution

Excel / data visualisation

Education

Masters Degree in relevant subject

5+ years management experience in healthcare

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

PRINCE2 / Managing Successful Programmes / AGILE training

Leadership/management qualification

Formal training in performance management / transformation methodologies

Tools

Excel

Data visualisation tools

Job description

Employer Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Preston Hospital Town Preston Salary £66,582 - £77,368 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/10/2026 23:59

Senior Operational Performance Lead

Band 8b

Job overview

The Senior Operational Performance Lead is a senior member of the Trust’s performance management function, responsible for leading the delivery of operational performance improvement across a portfolio of services, with a particular focus on constitutional standards, elective recovery and delivery against key access targets.

The post holder will provide senior leadership and oversight to support delivery of core performance standards, ensuring that improvement plans are robust, credible and translated into operational action. They will work closely with divisional and specialty teams to improve productivity, strengthen pathway management, enhance data quality and validation processes, and ensure the effective use of capacity to support timely patient care.

The role will lead and coordinate performance improvement activity across multiple services, providing challenge, support and expert advice to operational and clinical teams. The post holder will also contribute to the development of recovery plans, escalation processes and reporting arrangements, ensuring that performance risks are identified early and mitigated effectively.

This role is central to ensuring that the Trust maintains strong operational grip over waiting lists, demand and capacity, backlog reduction and constitutional performance delivery, and supports the Trust to achieve its recovery ambitions in line with national and local expectations

Main duties of the job

The Senior Operational Performance Lead will:

• Lead performance improvement and recovery activity across a defined portfolio of services, supporting delivery of agreed operational standards.
• Develop, coordinate and monitor specialty and divisional recovery plans, ensuring trajectories are credible, measurable and aligned to Trust objectives.
• Oversee and strengthen processes for PTL management, pathway validation, clock stop accuracy and escalation of performance risks.
• Support effective delivery of control rooms and other operational grip arrangements, ensuring vacant capacity, backlog risks and deteriorating performance are identified and acted upon.
• Analyse complex performance information and translate this into clear recommendations, risks and required actions for operational, divisional and executive audiences.
• Work with corporate and divisional teams to ensure reporting is accurate, timely and supports delivery of improvement priorities.
• Lead specific projects or programmes relating to elective recovery, access improvement, backlog reduction, validation, demand and capacity, or operational transformation.
• Build effective working relationships with divisional leaders, clinical teams and corporate functions to secure engagement in performance improvement.
• Deputise where required for the Head of Operational Performance in relation to aspects of operational performance delivery

Working for our organisation

As a teaching hospital and an organisation committed to continuous learning, we offer a broad range of education and training to staff and students/trainees/other learners. All post holders are expected to fulfil mandatory training requirements, engage in continuous learning and support education and training of others commensurate to their role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Senior Operational Performance Lead will support the Head of Operational Performance in the delivery of Trust-wide operational performance improvement. The post holder will work in partnership with divisional, clinical and corporate teams to develop, implement and monitor performance improvement plans, strengthen pathway management and validation processes, and ensure effective operational grip over waiting list and access risks. The role will provide senior challenge, support and oversight to drive delivery of constitutional standards, improve productivity and ensure timely, high-quality patient care across the Trust.

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines
• Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to present complex and sensitive information clearly
• Demonstrable ability to deliver against challenging targets in a pressured environment
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills together with influencing, facilitating and negotiating skills for interacting with individuals across the organisation and wider network.
• Ability to interpret complex documents, identifying organisational implications
• Experience in Acute Hospital
• Experience of presenting at senior forums
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Advanced Excel / data visualisation skills

Qualifications and Education

• Masters Degree in relevant subject or relevant experience
• Significant experience in operational performance, service improvement or programme delivery
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Further training for e.g. PRINCE2 / Managing Successful Programmes / AGILE or significant experience in project management, financial and budgetary management or supporting change management processes.
• Management or leadership qualification
• Formal training in performance management, service improvement or transformation methodologies

Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of 5 years management experience at a senior level, ideally within a healthcare setting
• Proven experience of delivering performance improvement and recovery against targets
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries with clinical and operational teams
• Demonstrable experience of managing and implementing change in a complex environment
• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex data to inform decision-making
• Experience of RTT,UEC, cancer and diagnostic performance management
• Experience of leading Trust-wide or cross-system initiatives
• Experience within an acute NHS Trust

We are 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 race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information. AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person. Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.

Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Working Smarter pledge

We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.

Secondments

If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [e-mail]

Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

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We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Additional information: Name Sarah Jules Job title Head of Operational Performance Email address [e-mail]

For any queries about this role please contact Sarah Jules at [e-mail]