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, proactive and patient-centred culture that promotes safety, accountability and continuous improvement.

Communication and Stakeholder Management Develop and maintain effective communication across the Operating Theatre Department and ECU, ensuring staff are appropriately informed of operational priorities, service developments, risks and changes affecting patient care.

Work in close partnership with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU to ensure consistent communication, shared decision-making and integrated leadership across the department.

Maintain effective working relationships with surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing and theatre practitioners, allied health professionals, senior management and relevant support functions.

Liaise with medical colleagues and surgical teams to understand current and future service requirements and support safe and efficient delivery of surgical activity.

Act as a senior point of contact for operational matters relating to the Operating Theatre Department and ECU, providing timely advice, guidance and escalation where appropriate.

Ensure significant operational, workforce, clinical or service-development issues are communicated promptly to the Director of Surgical Services and relevant members of the Executive Team.

Represent Surgical Services at relevant organisational meetings, committees and forums, contributing to strategic and operational decision-making.

Promote an open and collaborative culture in which staff are encouraged to communicate concerns, share ideas and contribute to service improvement.

Ensure effective handover and information-sharing between the two Surgical Services Managers, particularly during periods of absence.

Ensure that the two Surgical Services Managers provide a consistent and coordinated leadership approach to staff, clinicians and other stakeholders.

Performance and Operational Management Jointly with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU, ensure delivery of agreed departmental objectives and key performance indicators.

Have primary responsibility for monitoring and improving operational performance, including theatre utilisation, productivity, capacity, patient flow and delivery of scheduled surgical activity.

Develop and implement effective reporting arrangements to monitor performance against agreed targets and proactively manage variances.

Ensure Clinical Coordinators and specialist leads have clear objectives and performance expectations.

Review operational data to identify trends, capacity constraints, workforce pressures and opportunities for improvement.

Provide regular reports and assurance to the Director of Surgical Services and Executive Team as required.

Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance theatre efficiency without compromising patient safety or quality.

People and Workforce Management Jointly with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU, provide strategic leadership and accountability for the workforce across the Operating Theatre Department and ECU, ensuring staffing levels, skill mix, competence and workforce capacity are appropriate to meet current and anticipated service requirements.

Provide effective leadership, support and oversight to Clinical Coordinators, Lead TPs, the Instrument Management function and other directly line-managed staff within the Clinical Operations portfolio.

Ensure clear lines of accountability and effective delegation of people-management responsibilities across the clinical leadership structure.

Ensure all staff have clear objectives, appropriate development plans and access to regular appraisal and performance reviews.

Support Clinical Coordinators and Lead TPs in the effective management of attendance, performance, conduct, capability, wellbeing and other workforce matters, in accordance with organisational policies and with appropriate support from HR.

Ensure appropriate workforce planning, recruitment and retention strategies are in place to maintain a safe and effective skill mix across theatres and ECU.

Monitor workforce metrics including establishment, vacancies, sickness absence, turnover, bank and agency usage and staff retention, identifying and addressing areas of concern.

Work collaboratively with the Practice Development Nurse and clinical leadership team to identify workforce development, competency and training requirements.

Support succession planning and development of the clinical leadership structure, identifying opportunities to develop Senior Theatre Practitioners, Theatre Practitioners and other clinical staff into future leadership roles.

Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive working environment that encourages staff engagement, professional accountability, continuous learning and high standards of patient care.

Ensure workforce decisions balance patient safety, clinical requirements, staff wellbeing, service demand and financial sustainability.

Ensure appropriate workforce cover and contingency arrangements are in place to maintain safe service delivery during periods of planned and unplanned absence.

Clinical Governance and Patient Safety Jointly with the Surgical Services Manager – Quality, Resus & ECU