Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services. Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients. In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research. We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit. Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’. The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients. We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS. Job overview Are you an inspirational operational leader with the skills to oversee high quality women’s and children’s services, and to drive forward a really exciting and complex agenda? Do you have a compassionate leadership style? If so, Evelina London Women’s and Children’s Clinical Group, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, wants to hear from you. We have an exciting opportunity to appoint a new fixed-term Deputy Director of Operations. We are recruiting to this new fixed-term role as Evelina London’s Director of Operations and Improvement is being seconded part-time into the Operational Delivery Director role as Evelina London Children’s Hospital prepares to become the home of our region’s specialist children’s cancer services. We are advertising this as an 18-month role in the first instance and there may be an opportunity to extend. Main duties of the job Job Summary: Lead the design and operation of the Clinical Groups performance management framework and provide assurance that it is effective Lead a data-based approach to performance improvement Lead cross-Clinical Group / pan-directorate plans and initiatives, including the effective utilisation of resources and assets, on behalf of the Director of Operations Provide senior leadership across the Clinical Group including contributions to Trust and system, influencing service design and delivery across the organisation Monitor the performance and resource utilisation across the directorates and support the introduction of remedial steps where necessary. Review the operational performance of the clinical directorates and supporting the Director of Operations in the performance appraisal of clinical and professional staff within the directorates (where appropriate). Develop the leadership potential of all staff. Represent the Trust within the NHS and wider community, and with partner organisations, and working closely with them to institute integrated working in the best interests of patient care. Ensure sound financial management and adherence to expenditure and income targets Working for our organisation Trust values: As part of Guy’s and St Thomas’, our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that you understand and reflect these values. The post holder will: Put patients first: ‘What would I want for my family?’ Take pride in what we do: ‘Am I doing my very best?’ Respect others: ‘What would it be like if I was in your shoes?’ Strive to be the best: ‘How could we do it better?’ Act with integrity: ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ Our values and behaviours framework describes what it means for every one of us in the Trust to put our values into action. Leadership roles: We have a set of leadership behaviours that we expect from managers, consultants and anyone in a leadership role. These behaviours were developed as a result of conversations with more than 120 of our leaders. We expect our leaders to: lead with kindness – provide a caring environment for the people they lead and value diversity be visible and engaged – engage with the people who deliver services to women, children and families have absolute focus – remain focused on the vision and strategy be open and honest – model transparency about results, outcomes, progress, aims and defects collaborate and connect – encourage and practice collaboration across the wider health system. Detailed job description and main responsibilities The role reports to the group Director of Operations & Improvement and will be responsible for leading and improving the performance portfolio and over all elective recovery. This will include oversight of the long wait reduction programme, theatre and operational productivity and over all throughput as well as supporting the day to day running of the Groups clinical services. The role will support the Director of Operations & Improvement in ensuring that operational services across the Clinical Group are delivered to a high standard for our patients and performance across all quality, access, people and financial domains is achieved. The role will work closely with the Trust Director of Performance and Information as well as colleagues across the Clinical Group and wider organisation to ensure that a collaborative approach is used in the achievement of key performance and quality indicators. To succeed in this role, candidates need to be able to build confidence across the organisation as well as with external partners. Key responsibilities will be to challenge, support and develop the directorate management teams ensuring robust systems for performance and financial management and quality governance are in place. This role will have a strong focus on improvement, supporting teams to innovate and deliver quality improvements for our patients The role would suit a driven, ambitious and patient centric leader looking for a stepping stone to a Director of Operations or other senior operational role. Clinical Group Deputy Director of Operations Responsibilities There will be 2 Deputy Director of Operations portfolios within the Evelina London Women’s & Children’s Clinical Group, these will include specific directorate responsibilities, alongside Clinical Group-wide responsibilities. The nature and composition of these portfolios will naturally evolve over time and be subject to change in discussion with the postholder(s). The initial composition of the areas of responsibility for each role are described below: *Operational responsibility includes: General Manager professional support, oversight and guidance Directorate Management Team support on planning, performance and delivery Key operating license delivery – performance, finance, workforce and quality & safety Key Trust corporate service enabler support as required including estates and facilities (Essentia), contracting and finance (revenue and capital), core clinical services including imaging & pharmacy and other Trust-wide functions Senior operational support to directorate priorities, issues and risks as required Key Relationships The post holder will have regular contact with a wide range of staff at all levels within the Trust and with patients. Internal to Clinical Group: Director of Operations & Improvement Group Chief Executive Other deputy director of operations Directorate Management Teams Medical Director Director of Nursing Chief Midwife Senior Finance and Workforce colleagues Clinical Information Officers and DTI business partner Clinical Groups central teams including improvement, informatics and performance External to Clinical Group: EPIC, DT&I and Essentia colleagues Trust Director of Performance and Information Trust informatics, performance and planning colleagues Contractors including those related to specific projects GSTT Executives / Trust colleagues NHSE, ICS, APC and other external bodies Specific Responsibilities Corporate Contribute to the overall direction and leadership of the Trust as member of the Clinical Group Senior Management Team. Represent the Clinical Group/Trust externally and develop partnerships with other organisations to promote the development of local services. Contribute to the formation of the Clinical Group’s strategic and operational objectives. Work in partnership with other directors to deliver on Clinical Group objectives and ensure the effective day to day running of the Clinical Group. Undertake specific projects as required by the Director of Operations. Ensure the appropriate stewardship and governance of the Clinical Group (as appropriate). Person specification Skills (1) Essential criteria Highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams. Extensive experience influencing staff at all levels to ensure that programme or project objectives are owned by all members of the team, including users and stakeholders. Substantial evidence of the ability to involve teams in analysis of situation and solution development; persuade teams to take on new ways of working and to constructively challenge the status quo. Extensive experience of facilitating group discussions to design, plan and progress programmes and projects Ability to be intellectually flexible and to look beyond existing structures, ways of working, boundaries and organisations to produce more effective and innovative service delivery and partnerships Ability to work at a very senior level with a multi professional group of staff. Extensive, comprehensive experience of senior staff performance management, including motivating. Developing, and coaching to meet appropriate deadlines Demonstrable political judgement and astuteness in understanding and working with complex policy and diverse interest groups A commitment to improving patient services through an ability to sustain a clear focus on achieving demanding goals. Ability to problem solve using complex information, setting deliverable goals and monitoring performance. Skills (2) Essential criteria Ability to lead change with and through the Trust’s senior teams, by engaging them in the strategic direction and delivery plans, establishing clear work priorities with them, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback. Ability to deputise for the Director of Operations Demonstrable visioning experience, including an ability to build organisational capabilities, establishing a clear strategic vision and direction and translating this into successful outcomes Ability to engage and fully involve senior staff in the delivery of complex programmes A strong sense of personal and team accountability coupled to a clear understanding of the boundaries around delegated authority Financial awareness and business acumen, drawn from experience of managing large scale budgets. Extensive experience developing, monitoring and managing budgets / delivering substantial multiple million financial benefits associated with programmes. Ability to work constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful collaborations Significant experience and knowledge of leading aspects of a large complex organisation through significant change Skills (3) Essential criteria Demonstrate the ability to work under pressure whilst supporting and getting the most out of staff. Proven strong communication skills, in particular, in building and managing interpersonal and team relationships, with strong and effective listening skills High level of organisation, self-motivation and flexibility in approach and attitude. Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty and integrity in undertaking the leadership role. Demonstrably excellent political skills and awareness, with the ability to understand the wider interest groups and stakeholders within the Trust, and to be able to work sensitively to overcome their differing positions and interests Highly developed interpersonal and diplomatic skills for influencing change, handling conflict, managing complex situations and sustaining engagement, including to unfamiliar and potentially antagonistic audiences Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Knowledge/Qualifications Essential criteria Educated to Master’s degree or equivalent level in-depth and significant professional Evidence of continued professional and managerial development knowledge and experience Desirable criteria Relevant post-graduate programme or project management qualification, such as Lean or MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), PRINCE2, or equivalent knowledge and experience Experience Essential criteria A proven track record of extensive strategic, project or operational management for a significant experience of working at senior management level in a large complex environment Evidence of sustained and up to date continuous learning/professional development Extensive experience providing specialist advice to very senior managers, up to and including Board Directors which may materially affect strategic decision making. This will include advising a range of professionals and specialists in a range of environments. Highly developed knowledge and understanding of the changing NHS environment, strategy, and policy agendas, specifically NHSI, NHSE, and the South East London structures, strategy, vision and policies A proven track record of strategic and operational and / or performance management for a minimum of 5 years with responsibility for the full range of operational and clinical services. Experience designing and implementing performance frameworks and improvement plans Evidence of sustained and up to date continuous learning/professional development Extensive experience working across multiple organisations to secure change; within this, a proven track record of overcoming political or philosophical challenge, resistance to change, conflicting priorities or polarities. Desirable criteria Experience of leading complex major programmes ensuring they are delivered to the highest standard, to time and are cost effective Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. Flexible working We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process. Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis. Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now." Applicant requirements The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. Further details / informal visits contact Name James O'Brien Job title Director of Operations and Improvement Email address [email protected]