Team leader

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Southampton is seeking an experienced Senior Registered Nurse or Senior Operating Department Practitioner. This role involves leading the colorectal theatre team, ensuring high-quality perioperative care and contributing to service continuity. The successful candidate will facilitate staff development and possess demonstrated leadership abilities in a complex surgical environment. A commitment to continuous learning and patient care excellence is essential. Flexible working options available.

Qualifications

• Registered ODP or nurse with substantial theatre experience.
• Proven leadership in a perioperative environment.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible leadership to the colorectal theatre team.
• Support and mentor staff, fostering growth.
• Manage staffing and resources for operating lists.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Clinical expertise in General Surgery

Team collaboration

Education

Degree-level education

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.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Registered Nurse or Senior Operating Department Practitioner to join our theatre leadership team on a secondment to cover long-term sickness within the Colorectal Theatre service.

The successful applicant will lead and coordinate the colorectal theatre team, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality perioperative care. You will maintain visible senior leadership across the colorectal service and supporting service continuity throughout the wider theatre complex.

This secondment provides an excellent opportunity to develop leadership experience within a nationally recognised and innovative surgical specialty.

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering 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.

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.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) operates one of the largest and most complex theatre departments in the country, with 35 operating theatres across five levels. The division supports both adult and paediatric surgical specialties, delivering excellence in perioperative and post‑operative care.

The Colorectal Theatre Team at UHS provides specialist support for an extensive range of complex procedures, including Intestinal Failure surgery, Robotic‑assisted colorectal cases, HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) procedures, and advanced Pelvic Floor surgery. These specialist lists demand precision, coordination and multidisciplinary expertise, reflecting the team’s commitment to clinical excellence.

This team has been nominated on the We Are UHS Awards for their successful implementation of the Colorectal Pelvic Exenteration/IORT service – the first of its kind in the country. The dedicated group of theatre staff, surgeons and anaesthetists work tirelessly to perform complex, life‑changing recurrent cancer surgery. They consistently go above and beyond, frequently starting early to ensure lists begin on time. Despite the challenging nature of their work, they demonstrate outstanding teamwork, professionalism and compassion every day.

Joining this team means becoming part of a nationally pioneering colorectal surgical service, recognised for its innovation, complexity and exceptional patient outcomes.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide visible, effective leadership to the colorectal theatre team, promoting best practice and a culture of excellence.
• Support and mentor staff, fostering professional growth and continuous learning.
• Lead and participate in quality‑improvement, audit and clinical‑governance initiatives.
• Manage staffing and resources to maintain safe and efficient operating lists.
• Work collaboratively with the Matron, Care Group Manager, Clinical Lead and Theatre Team Leaders to achieve service objectives.
• Deputise for senior leads and Matron as required, maintaining operational oversight and supporting strategic development of the service.
• Registered Nurse (NMC) or Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC) with substantial theatre experience.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise in General Surgery, with a strong preference for Colorectal Surgery.
• Proven leadership and management ability within a perioperative environment.
• Excellent communication, planning and organisational skills.
• Experience in staff management, change implementation and clinical‑governance activity.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, educated to degree level and ideally working toward or enrolled on an MSc pathway.
• A proactive, compassionate and collaborative leader who can inspire and motivate teams in a complex surgical setting.

The successful applicant must be available to cover twilight shifts and, when required, work through to very late finishes.

Person Specification

Trust Values

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Essential Criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Registered ODP / nurse
• Degree‑level education or equivalent experience
• Experience at band 6 level
• Provide evidence of Leading learning in practice
• Provide evidence of Support colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
• Provide evidence of Supporting /managing and supervision a range of learnings in practice
• Aware of current NHS and professional issues
• Ability to network and build relationships within and across professions
• Experience of developing nursing and allied health profession / perioperative practice
• Appropriate Specialist qualification
• Evidence of Formal Management Training

Desirable criteria

• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Commenced MSc Academic Pathway
• Multi skilled in more than one area of speciality
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Sound leadership and effective role modelling capabilities