Job Overview
My name is Karen, and I am the Divisional Director of Operations for Surgery. I’m looking for a Deputy who wants to work alongside me to lead, support and continually improve our Surgical Division. This is an exciting opportunity to make a genuine difference to patients, staff and services. Together, we’ll navigate the daily challenges of operational leadership while also shaping the future of our Division through improvement, innovation and collaboration. I’m looking for someone who brings curiosity, compassion and good judgement; someone who enjoys working with people, helping teams succeed and creating an environment where everyone feels valued, included and able to do their very best work.
For those considering an application, the assessment and interview process will be taking place on Thursday 19 November.
Main duties of the job
- Support the daily operational running of surgical services, ensuring our teams feel heard, supported and guided.
- Lead performance, financial and quality improvement, balancing high standards with compassion, support and understanding.
- Manage escalation and risk, always focusing on patient safety and staff wellbeing.
- Work closely with clinical and non‑clinical colleagues, strengthening relationships across the Division and the Trust.
- Support our Specialty Managers to grow, develop and thrive in an inclusive, high‑performing environment.
- Bring data, insight and thoughtful challenge to decision‑making.
- Represent our Division professionally and collaboratively, including on the senior manager on‑call rota.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners. By working together, we make a real difference for our patients, each other, and our community. Every role matters in delivering the exceptional, person-centred care we’re proud of.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Corporate leadership
You will act as a key partner in driving the Division forward, ensuring our direction is clear, our communication consistent, and our priorities aligned with our Trust strategy. You’ll also represent the Division in Trust‑wide workstreams and improvement programmes.
Divisional management and performance
You’ll help embed high‑performing routines, oversee mitigation plans, manage risk, and ensure our services meet national and local targets. When something isn’t working, you’ll help us fix it with pace, teamwork and transparency.
Financial and resource management
You’ll support the development and delivery of integrated plans covering capacity, workforce and finance, ensuring resources are used wisely, responsibly and with patient care at the centre.
People leadership
Our Specialty Managers and wider teams will look to you for encouragement, support, clarity and fairness. You’ll help people develop their strengths, navigate challenges and stay connected to what matters most: providing outstanding care for patients.
Service and quality improvement
You’ll help us standardise pathways, develop business cases, strengthen governance processes, and ensure our services reflect evidence, best practice and the voices of our patients, families and staff.
Governance, safety and risk
You will ensure our risk register is up to date, our incidents and complaints are handled with sensitivity and accountability, and our improvement actions are both meaningful and delivered.
Deputising and partnership working
When I’m not available, you’ll provide stable, confident operational leadership for the Division. You’ll also collaborate closely with your peers across the Trust to ensure seamless, safe care for our patients.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Leading change through empowering people and holding them to account
- Track record of achieving financial and service targets
Specific skills
Essential criteria
- Motivates own self and team members to drive for improvement
- Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, negotiating and communication skills
Physical skills & emotional effort
Essential criteria
- Ability to deliver highly complex information where people hold strongly opposing views.
- Management of staff, dealing with issues as necessary, including poor performance or attendance
Please note – Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa’s) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview – GOV.UK
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.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. We strongly encourage you to complete and submit your application in good time to ensure it can be considered.
Documents to download
- Deputy Divisional Director of Operations for Surgery Job Description (PDF, 218.9KB)
- Join the RUH (PDF, 1.3MB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Karen Maxfield Job title Divisional Director of Operations for Surgery Email address karen.maxfield@nhs.net Telephone number 01225 824877 Additional information
Why you’ll enjoy working with us
- You’ll be valued – your ideas, perspective and leadership will genuinely shape the Division.
- You’ll work with great people – our teams are committed, compassionate and proud of the care they provide.
- You’ll have room to grow – we’ll support your development, encourage your ambition and give you opportunities to stretch yourself.
- You’ll make a real difference – the work you do will directly improve patient experience and staff wellbeing.
- You’ll be trusted – this is a senior role with autonomy, influence and the backing to make meaningful change.
- You’ll feel part of something bigger – we work as one team, supporting each other, celebrating successes and navigating challenges together.
- You’ll be supported – we recognise that leadership can be challenging at times, and we are committed to supporting one another through both successes and difficulties.
Who We’re Hoping To Find
We’re looking for someone who:
- Leads with empathy, clarity and confidence, especially when things are challenging.
- Values teamwork and knows how to build strong, trusting relationships across clinical and non‑clinical groups.
- Can use data and insight to influence, guide and improve.
- Has the courage to challenge constructively and the humility to listen deeply.
- Wants to make a real difference to staff experience, patient care and service quality.
- Brings steadiness, optimism and professionalism to the role, even on the busiest days.
Above all, I’m looking for someone who leads with kindness, integrity and a genuine commitment to improving care for our patients and the experience of our staff.
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