Job overview
We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Operations Manager to play a pivotal role in leading operational delivery across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinical or operational leader to influence service performance, drive improvement and contribute to the delivery of safe, effective, high‑quality care for our communities.
As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the smooth day‑to‑day running of operational activity, ensuring high performance across key quality, workforce and governance measures and regulatory compliance. You will work closely with colleagues in Operations, the Integrated Contact Centre, Fleet and Make Ready Services, you will lead your teams to deliver excellence while supporting and developing a positive, engaged and inclusive culture.
Main duties of the job
You will act as a visible and credible leader, role‑modelling the Trust’s values and promoting an environment that encourages innovation, accountability and continuous improvement. The role requires strong decision‑making capability, the ability to interpret complex information and the confidence to take operational command when required, including participation on the tactical on‑call rota.
You will build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, collaborative problem‑solving and a shared focus on improving outcomes for patients.
The successful candidate will bring experience in clinical governance, risk management, change management and operational leadership, alongside the ability to influence, motivate and manage multidisciplinary teams.
You will have budget responsibility within your sector, contribute to cost improvement programmes and ensure resources are used efficiently and in line with Trust policies.
A commitment to staff development and wellbeing is essential, as is the ability to challenge, support and nurture teams to reach their full potential.
If you are passionate about leading people, improving services and making a tangible difference in urgent and emergency care, we would love to hear from you. This role offers the opportunity to influence service delivery at scale while developing your own leadership career within a forward‑thinking and values‑led organisation.
Working for our organisation
Benefits we offer:
Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
NHS Discounts in over 200 + stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).
Corporate Induction
It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).
All new starters need to attend our *Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed.
*Please note – depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a senior manager within South Central Ambulance Service you will be required to
provide leadership to your team to ensure the effective provision of the service they
provide and to champion change in the organisation. You will ensure that your staff
are motivated and express a positive attitude towards the organisation. You will
address any issues and concerns that may inhibit your staff from achieving both their
personal and organisational goals.
Governance and Compliance
• Accountable for the implementation of the sector annual clinical improvement
plan.
• In conjunction with the Operations Manager the post holder is responsible for
implementing the annual operational improvement plan.
• Ensure that the highest standards of Corporate and Clinical Governance are
maintained via the relevant group i.e. Sector meetings.
• Support the Head of Operations when developing workforce planning to
ensure the ongoing sustainability of clinical services.
• Accountable for ensuring that all risks within the sector are appropriately
identified and that they are managed via mitigation actions plans to reduce
harm to patients, staff or corporate reputation.
• Ensure that the staff within their sector are aware of and comply with Trust
policies and procedures. Providing guidance and interpretation, noting those
that safeguard departmental staff, equipment and resources.
• Responsible for setting quality standards as appropriate, proposing,
interpreting, developing and implementing policy appropriate to the function,
including policies which impact on service provision and other areas of the
Trust.
• Accountable in their sector for regulatory compliance including, but not limited
to CQC, IPC and Health and Safety.
People Management
• Accountable for the line management of all staff reporting directly to the post
holder. This includes recruitment selection, performance management,
identification of training and development needs, in accordance with the
employment policies and practices of the Trust.
• Improve the level of support for staff by developing and encouraging a culture
of responsibility for personal development which ensures that all the
requirements necessary for personal and professional skills are met and
maintained.
• Work with corporate business partners to ensure that the workforce reflects
the diversity of the local population, and the Trust is an equal opportunities
employer.
• To generate a culture which promotes empowerment and ensures that
decision-making is allocated to appropriate levels, allowing staff to feel they
make a valuable contribution.
• The post holder will identify and take actions if own or others’ behaviour
undermines equality and diversity. To be aware of and take action to
mitigate unconscious bias.
Operational Delivery
• Be a clinical role model within their assigned area, demonstrating strong
leadership and promoting an open, supportive culture, which is in line with the
Trust’s values
Be the sector lead accountable for the development, implementation and
usage of clinical pathways in conjunction with the Clinical Pathway Team.
Develop and maintain an effective relationship with tactical performance
managers / Integrated Contact Centre (ICC) managers to deliver operational
performance objectives.
• Responsible for delivering successful outcomes to any Business Continuity
incidents within the area of responsibility working with internal and external
agencies as required.
• In the absence of the Operations Manager the post holder will provide
information, advice and guidance in relation to operational performance, risk
and governance.
• Accountable for ensuring that the services are delivered to agreed quality and
financial standards, referring requests for specialist care or contractual
deviation to the Head of Operations.
• The post holder will ensure SCAS fulfils its legislative responsibilities under
the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) and be fully competent to undertake any
appropriate designated role within SCAS (appropriate to their qualification or
registration) in response to any incident and p
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Registered Nurse, Paramedic or other registrant professional educated to degree level (in a relevant discipline), or equivalent experience of working at a senior level
Evidence of on-going professional development
Quality Improvement training and experience e.g., LEAN Six Sigma, IHI or QSIR
Experience of incident command i.e. acting as an Operational officer or willingness to obtain competency within six months of appointment
Relevant emergency driving qualification (FutureQual/IHCD)
Desirable criteria
Educated to Masters / Level 7 level in clinical practice, leadership or business-related discipline.
Project/ programme management qualification
PSIRF & SIF2015 experience
Patient safety qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
Experience and knowledge of the components of clinical governance, incident response, risk management and assurance function; current NHS national policies, standards, requirements, and directions that relate to measuring and improving the quality and safety of patient care
Middle management experience in an operational function
Experience of managing change programs within their area of expertise
Experience of business planning, objective setting, and performance management within their area of expertise
Experience of business planning, objective setting, and performance management within their area of expertise
Experience of working with stakeholders across multi-disciplinary teams within the healthcare economy and other agencies including formal presentations as and when required.
Budget management experience
We actively welcome job applications from candidates who have a disability or who are members of the BAME, LGBTQ+ and Armed Forces community (including: Reservists, Veterans, Spouses and Cadets). Here at SCAS we are proud to have a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. Applicants who have a disability or are members of the armed forces community who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria for their post of interest will be invited for an interview and/or assessment (where applicable).
Please be assured that any requests for reasonable adjustments will not negatively affect your application.
As well as standard NHS benefits like generous holiday entitlement and an excellent pension scheme, we offer lots of extras for our staff.
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