Director of Improvement

About The Role This is a senior Trust wide leadership role, operating at executive level, with accountability for shaping and leading the organisation’s continuous improvement agenda.

As Director of Improvement, you will provide enterprise level leadership for how continuous improvement is developed and sustained across the Trust. You will act as the Trust’s senior professional expert in continuous improvement, ensuring this agenda is fully integrated into corporate strategy, decision making and delivery.

Working as part of the Trust’s senior leadership community, you will advise, influence and support the Executive Team and Board, ensuring Patient First is positioned as a critical enabler of quality, safety, workforce sustainability and performance. You will also act as a senior system leader, representing UHD with authority at regional and national level and contributing to wider system leadership for improvement and collaboration.

The role provides senior leadership to the Improvement Team and will deputise for the Chief Medical Officer within the portfolio as required.

Relocation expenses will be considered for this role in line with Trust policies and subject to internal review. Our closing date for applications is 12 midnight on 29th July 2026. Shortlisting will take place from 30th and 31st July 2026. We will be contacting applicants from 3rd August 2026. The interview selection process will take place on the 12th August 2026. Key Responsibilities

• Further shape the Trust's approach to improvement, continuing to build a compelling vision for Patient First that inspires staff at every level.
• Build improvement capacity, capability and culture across the organisation so that every member of staff can contribute to improvement, supported by coaching, training and systematic methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with care groups and clinical directors to ensure improvement is embedded into clinical leadership and service (re)design.
• Work with senior leaders to ensure alignment with national priorities (NHS Long Term Plan, NHS People Plan) and external regulatory requirements (CQC, DHSC, ICS).
• Act as a senior system leader, representing UHD at local, regional and national levels - influencing policy and practice, contributing to academic research and professional networks, and ensuring the voices of patients and communities are central to improvement.

About Us University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD) employs around 10,000 staff and provides highly regarded healthcare services to our local communities. We are in the midst of a significant and ambitious period of transformation, including major investment in our hospital estate, service redesign and a clear focus on delivering sustainable, high-quality care for the future.

Key to this transformation is Patient First and our ambition to develop a sustainable culture of continuous improvement at UHD. At its heart is an acknowledgement that when staff thrive our patients experience sustained improvements in the quality and experience of their care.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Sandy Bruin Job title: Executive Assistant/PA to Director of Improvement Email address: sandy.bruin@nhs.net Telephone number: 0300 019 2595

Candidates interested in learning more about this opportunity are encouraged to contact Sandy Bruin to arrange an informal discussion with the recruiting manager.