Associate Director of Elective Improvement

NHS

  • Guildford, Surrey
  • £93,540-107,535 per year
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 1 day ago
The Royal Surrey is seeking to appoint an Associate Director of Elective Improvement on an interim basis (6 months), to lead improvements to the speed with which people are able to access our elective and diagnostic care.This is an exciting time to join the Royal Surrey: we have recently opened a state of the art new Community Diagnostic Centre at our Milford site (Milford Hospital) and within the next year we will complete the building of the Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre at our Guildford site (the Royal Surrey Hospital), which will provide six new operating theatres and well as brand new recovery and admission areas. The Trust is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, we are one of the largest providers of robotic surgery in the UK and many of our services are acknowledged internationally for the quality of their provision.A key aspect to us continuing to provide outstanding care is ensuring that people are able to access our services in a timely way, and in that regard we recognise that for patients on elective and diagnostic treatment pathways we can do better. We have set ambitious improvement targets for 25/26, and we are looking for someone to help lead our efforts to achieve them. If you are expert in helping services to organise effectively in order to see their patients as promptly and efficiently as possible then we would be keen to hear from you.Main duties of the jobThe Associate Director of Elective Improvement will be an expert resource for the Trust and provide both a Trust-wide and Integrated Care System-wide perspective when planning elective recovery actions. The post holder will be an active member of the Performance Manager Committee, Elective Oversight Group and other relevant groups at Trust and ICS level.The post holder will be responsible for monitoring and delivering elective recovery performance across all divisions and specialties against national and local targets. The Associate Director of Elective Improvement will work with service leads to improve performance and ensuring the performance framework is being adhered to across all services. This involves being fully conversant with the various trust information systems, and being able to extract and manipulate data that can be used to maintain accountability of performance.About usRoyal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdoDetailsDate posted02 September 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8dSalary£93,540 to £107,535 a year Pro Rata Per Annum inc. HCASContractFixed termDuration6 monthsWorking patternFull-timeReference number384-RD-EMF19163Job locationsRoyal Surrey HospitalEgerton RoadGuildfordGU2 7XXJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Associate Director of Elective Improvement will work across all services within the Royal Surrey to deliver improvement in elective and diagnostic performance, supporting the trust to meet its improvement plan for these aspects of its work.This integral role will work closely with all clinical divisions ensuring; delivery of the elective and diagnostic care wait targets and quality metrics, plus ensuring delivery of the best practice pathways. Working with the Deputy Chief Operating Officer in particular, they will drive the Trusts approach to meeting its responsibilities in relation to reducing the time it takes to treat people awaiting elective care and diagnostic tests.This is a key management role with specific responsibility for overseeing the Trusts elective improvement work Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Associate Director of Elective Improvement will work across all services within the Royal Surrey to deliver improvement in elective and diagnostic performance, supporting the trust to meet its improvement plan for these aspects of its work.This integral role will work closely with all clinical divisions ensuring; delivery of the elective and diagnostic care wait targets and quality metrics, plus ensuring delivery of the best practice pathways. Working with the Deputy Chief Operating Officer in particular, they will drive the Trusts approach to meeting its responsibilities in relation to reducing the time it takes to treat people awaiting elective care and diagnostic tests.This is a key management role with specific responsibility for overseeing the Trusts elective improvement workPerson SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Master's degree in healthcare/ management or demonstrable ability to work at Masters level
  • Evidence of continuous professional development
  • Project Management qualification or equivalent training
Knowledge and ExperienceEssential
  • Good knowledge of NHS England Operational Planning Guidance and Referral to Treatment pathway management
  • Have significant recent senior (deputy / associate director or general manager) NHS management experience of operationally delivering elective care waiting time standards (cancer and / or RTT and / or diagnostics)
  • Proven track record managing NHS teams and services at a senior level preferably within an Acute Trust
  • Experience leading multi-professional teams with proven service developments
  • Experience leading senior teams and chairing major project teams with multi-professionals
  • Proven track record of project management and implementation of successful service changes
  • A strong financial aptitude and a demonstrable track record of managing budgets and developing business cases
  • Able to identify risk & healthcare governance
  • Experience of effective partnership working across the ICS
  • Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
  • Able to manage & develop patient care pathways
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Master's degree in healthcare/ management or demonstrable ability to work at Masters level
  • Evidence of continuous professional development
  • Project Management qualification or equivalent training
Knowledge and ExperienceEssential
  • Good knowledge of NHS England Operational Planning Guidance and Referral to Treatment pathway management
  • Have significant recent senior (deputy / associate director or general manager) NHS management experience of operationally delivering elective care waiting time standards (cancer and / or RTT and / or diagnostics)
  • Proven track record managing NHS teams and services at a senior level preferably within an Acute Trust
  • Experience leading multi-professional teams with proven service developments
  • Experience leading senior teams and chairing major project teams with multi-professionals
  • Proven track record of project management and implementation of successful service changes
  • A strong financial aptitude and a demonstrable track record of managing budgets and developing business cases
  • Able to identify risk & healthcare governance
  • Experience of effective partnership working across the ICS
  • Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
  • Able to manage & develop patient care pathways

NHS