Surgical Services Manager – Clinical Operations

The Surgical Services Manager – Clinical Operations provides senior operational and clinical leadership across the Operating Theatre Department and Enhanced Care Unit (ECU), working in partnership with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to ensure the safe, effective and efficient delivery of high-quality surgical and peri-operative services.

The postholder holds joint accountability for the overall performance, quality, patient safety, workforce and operational delivery of the theatre and ECU service, while leading the Clinical Operations portfolio. They will provide visible leadership across the department, ensuring effective theatre management, workforce deployment, utilisation, patient flow and delivery of agreed performance standards.

Working collaboratively with surgeons, anaesthetists, peri-operative teams, Clinical Coordinators, Lead Theatre Practitioners and specialist clinical leads, the postholder will drive operational excellence, service development and continuous improvement to optimise patient pathways and enhance the patient experience.

As part of a shared leadership model, the postholder will contribute to the strategic and operational management of the wider theatre and ECU service, maintaining sufficient knowledge and oversight across all areas to provide effective cross-cover and business continuity. They will work closely with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to ensure consistent leadership, shared decision-making and seamless service delivery, taking responsibility for the wider service during periods of planned or unplanned absence.

Joint Leadership and Accountability

The two Surgical Services Managers will operate as peer leaders, both reporting directly to the Director of Surgical Services.

Together, they will hold joint accountability for the overall performance, safety, quality, workforce and operational delivery of the Operating Theatre Department and Enhanced Care Unit.

Each postholder will lead a defined primary portfolio while maintaining sufficient knowledge, skills and oversight of the wider service to provide effective cross-cover and continuity of leadership.

The postholders will jointly contribute to strategic planning, service development, workforce planning, performance management, clinical governance, financial management, risk management and operational decision-making across the theatre and ECU service.

Neither postholder will have exclusive ownership of their portfolio. Both managers will be expected to understand the key priorities, risks, workforce issues, performance requirements and ongoing work within the other’s portfolio.

During annual leave, sickness, vacancy, resignation or any other absence, the remaining Surgical Services Manager will assume responsibility for the absent manager’s portfolio in addition to their own, until appropriate interim or substantive arrangements are in place.

The postholders will ensure effective handover and maintenance of shared information, reporting and risk-management systems to support continuity.

No area of theatre operations, quality, governance, resuscitation or ECU should be dependent upon the presence of a particular individual for decision-making or operational continuity.

Professional and Clinical Leadership

Provide visible senior clinical and operational leadership across the Operating Theatre Department and Enhanced Care Unit.

Work collaboratively with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to maintain high standards of patient safety, clinical quality and professional practice.

Provide leadership and support to Clinical Coordinators, Lead TPs and specialist clinical leads, ensuring clear accountability, effective escalation and consistent standards of practice.

Ensure operational processes support safe, efficient and effective patient journeys through the theatre pathway.

Ensure workforce deployment, skill mix and clinical competence are aligned with service requirements.

Liaise with medical, nursing, allied health professional and operational colleagues to maximise the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of theatre and ECU services.

Act as a senior clinical and operational advisor on matters relating to the provision and development of surgical services.

Maintain sufficient clinical knowledge and visibility to provide effective leadership during periods of operational pressure and staffing challenge.

Support the development of a positive, pr…