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Service Director (Operations)
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs
Posted 1 month(s) ago
Reference: 152-S065.26
Job summary
Are you an inspiring and compassionate leader with significant senior operational leadership experience, with a proven track record of service improvement and transformational change?
Join us as the Service Director of Operations to lead and influence services across Dorset, work within a supportive and collaborative leadership culture, access development opportunities, and make a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Yourexcellent stakeholder management skills alongside your commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement will stand you in good stead, leading a comprehensive range of inpatient and community services with c.3000 team members working across a diverse integrated care system.
This is a substantive role leading a large and complex operational portfolio. The role is not permanently allocated to an operational portfolio at this time, in recognition of the likely future changes to how directorates are structured to achieve a place-based model.
In the immediate term, the role will lead the current Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Children's Services portfolio pending the development of a new operating model for the Trust as part of being an Advanced Foundation Trust.
We would love to hear from you. Please contact Jo Nation to arrange a discussion with our Chief Operating Officer.
Main duties of the job
Working as part of a directorate management triumvirate, this post has operational management and leadership responsibilities for a designated portfolio of Trust services and will be responsible for:
- The delivery of quality services around the core dimensions of safety, effectiveness and patient experience
- The development of strategic plans in line with overall Trust Strategy
- The performance management of all services in line with local and national performance targets and standards
- Ensuring clinical engagement, taking responsibility for clinical governance, safety and risk management
- Taking a commercial and business approach to services which recognises and adapts to the needs of our customers
- Providing leadership, support and advice to managers and staff
- Delivering consistently high quality, responsive and cost-effective services
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
Details
Date posted
13 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 9
Salary
£112,782 to £129,783 a year p.a.
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
152-S065.26
Job locations
Trust HQ
2 Nuffield Road
Poole
BH17 0RB
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Commitment to Service Excellence
Essential
- Proven ability to develop a culture that improves quality
- Ability to identify, evaluate and support the continuous development of services
- Proritisation skills and direction of attention to key issues
- Demonstrable practice of creating a climate of performance delivery and accountability
- Evidence of listening to and acting upon the view of service users/carers and the wider community
Future Focus
Essential
- The ability to shape and articulate the future of services
- Commercial focus and an understanding of the business requirements of the Trust
- Commercial focus and an understanding of the business requirements of the Trust
- Evidence of building relationships and partnerships which recognise interdependency and contribute to service and Trust objectives
- The ability to own and lead change processes successfully
Management Behaviours
Essential
- Probity and integrity, working in a way that is open and honest and ensuring adherence to the NHS Code of Practice for Managers and the Nolan Principles
- Effective workload management and deployment of staff - ensuring that members of staff and fulfilling all the requirements of their job
- Individual performance management - monitoring and addressing issues relating to performance, behaviour and attitude of employees
- Supporting employees' development to meet organisational objectives
- Effective communication by giving, receiving and seeking relevant information in a systematic way
Finance/Resources
Essential
- Significant expertise in Finance, HR and general management requiring advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practice
- Commercial acumen and clear understanding of market conditions and opportunities for the Trust, including how these affect corporate risk
Information Technology/Resources
Essential
- IT Skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
- The ability to write and present high quality reports
Personal Qualities/Attributes
Essential
- Demonstrable understanding of the concept of collective leadership and how it will work within and across directorates to achieve Trust objectives
- Demonstrable ability to work as part of the operations senior leadership team as described in the job description
- Self-confidence and resilience when dealing with difficult situations
- The ability to learn from constructive criticism and change behaviour as required
- The ability to meet tight deadlines within a pressurised work environment
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Relevant professional or management qualifications at Masters degree level or demonstrable equivalent level or experience
- Demonstrable evidence of extensive continuing professional development
- Experience of working at a senior level leading operational services in a complex portfolio demonstrating a record achievement in managing services well
- Detailed understanding of public health, children and family services
- The ability to critically appraise and develop new concepts and actively pursue ways of improving service delivery
- Flexible approach to working hours, maintaining an effective work/life balance
Person Specification
Commitment to Service Excellence
Essential
- Proven ability to develop a culture that improves quality
- Ability to identify, evaluate and support the continuous development of services
- Proritisation skills and direction of attention to key issues
- Demonstrable practice of creating a climate of performance delivery and accountability
- Evidence of listening to and acting upon the view of service users/carers and the wider community
Future Focus
Essential
- The ability to shape and articulate the future of services
- Commercial focus and an understanding of the business requirements of the Trust
- Commercial focus and an understanding of the business requirements of the Trust
- Evidence of building relationships and partnerships which recognise interdependency and contribute to service and Trust objectives
- The ability to own and lead change processes successfully
Management Behaviours
Essential
- Probity and integrity, working in a way that is open and honest and ensuring adherence to the NHS Code of Practice for Managers and the Nolan Principles
- Effective workload management and deployment of staff - ensuring that members of staff and fulfilling all the requirements of their job
- Individual performance management - monitoring and addressing issues relating to performance, behaviour and attitude of employees
- Supporting employees' development to meet organisational objectives
- Effective communication by giving, receiving and seeking relevant information in a systematic way
Finance/Resources
Essential
- Significant expertise in Finance, HR and general management requiring advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practice
- Commercial acumen and clear understanding of market conditions and opportunities for the Trust, including how these affect corporate risk
Information Technology/Resources
Essential
- IT Skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
- The ability to write and present high quality reports
Personal Qualities/Attributes
Essential
- Demonstrable understanding of the concept of collective leadership and how it will work within and across directorates to achieve Trust objectives
- Demonstrable ability to work as part of the operations senior leadership team as described in the job description
- Self-confidence and resilience when dealing with difficult situations
- The ability to learn from constructive criticism and change behaviour as required
- The ability to meet tight deadlines within a pressurised work environment
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Relevant professional or management qualifications at Masters degree level or demonstrable equivalent level or experience
- Demonstrable evidence of extensive continuing professional development
- Experience of working at a senior level leading operational services in a complex portfolio demonstrating a record achievement in managing services well
- Detailed understanding of public health, children and family services
- The ability to critically appraise and develop new concepts and actively pursue ways of improving service delivery
- Flexible approach to working hours, maintaining an effective work/life balance
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Trust HQ
2 Nuffield Road
Poole
BH17 0RB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Trust HQ
2 Nuffield Road
Poole
BH17 0RB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)