Associate Directorate Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced manager to join the General Surgery Team as an Associate Directorate Manager at Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager in delivery of performance for their specialties and support services. Liaising with, Specialties, Departments, Staff and Clinicians to manage capacity and demand, patient flow and site issues ensuring deliver of key performance indicators for the Division and specialties and services within it.
The management of an efficient and responsive clinical, administration and support service across MWL sites and off site when appropriate, providing professional advice and leadership and to take responsibility for the performance of each department.
The post holder will participate in the development of corporate objectives, policies and strategic plans along with having budgetary responsibility. The post holder will also contribute to the development of effective Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Controls Assurance Systems ensuring that procedures are embedded into the culture of all administration across both hospital sites.
The post holder will be responsible for assisting in managing the complaints process throughout their specialty/ specialties, ensuring compliance with Trust targets and establish processes to ensure lessons are learned., + The post holder will assist in the management and support the Directorate Manager or Deputy Directorate manager across the Division. Encouraging and motivating by allowing continual development through appropriate training and personal development.
+ The post holder will be responsible for assisting in managing the complaints process, ensuring compliance with Trust targets and through working with the Head of Quality establish processes to ensure lessons are learned throughout the Division.
+ To be responsible for the development of policies and procedures for the department in line with national guidance and local requirements. Ensure all standards, policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
+ Develop and be responsible for effective business standard operating procedures and processes thereby ensuring streamlined delivery.
+ Work with Clinical staff, Directorate Managers to identify capacity and demand risk areas and discuss resolution., + The post holder will assist in the management and support the Directorate Manager or Deputy Directorate manager across the Division. Encouraging and motivating by allowing continual development through appropriate training and personal development.
+ The post holder will be responsible for assisting in managing the complaints process, ensuring compliance with Trust targets and through working with the Head of Quality establish processes to ensure lessons are learned throughout the Division.
+ To be responsible for the development of policies and procedures for the department in line with national guidance and local requirements. Ensure all standards, policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
+ Develop and be responsible for effective business standard operating procedures and processes thereby ensuring streamlined delivery.
+ Work with Clinical staff, Directorate Managers to identify capacity and demand risk areas and discuss resolution.
+ To lead the development, implementation and maintenance of any administration IT Systems. To liaise with Clinical Staff, Administration Staff and IT Department in ensuring good communication channels are open.
+ In conjunction with the Directorate Managers or Deputy Directorate Manager the post holder will monitor activity and access targets, providing weekly updates/reports and monitor agreed actions to ensure delivery.
+ The post-holder will lead on ensuring targets are achieved and will take forward agreed projects to improve service delivery and patient experience. They will be required to lead on key areas of performance and activity as directed.
+ To work alongside Deputy Divisional Directors of Operations and Directorate Managers and Deputy Directorate Managers to ensure compliance with national access targets and local access targets as outlined within the local and national Patient Access Policy.
+ To lead on up-to-date information reassurance data for PTL Meetings highlighting potential problem areas by speciality to the relative Directorate Manager.
+ The post holder will support capacity and business planning for the service group, with the Directorate Managers or Deputy Directorate Managers sharing knowledge to develop business cases for new services.
+ Managing the outpatient capacity and reallocation clinic capacity to relevant specialities and clinicians, in order to maintain 18 weeks and reduce/maintain the 18-week waiting list backlog in line with Department of Health guidelines.
+ Communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and relatives with empathy and reassurance.
+ Develop and sustain good relationships and work closely with other directorates / departments.
+ Responsibility for all records (including patient health, financial, personal and administrative) that they gather or use as part of their work within the Trust. The records may be paper, electronic, microfiche, audio or x-ray images.
HUMAN RESOURCES RESPONSIBILITIES
+ To support the department's full process of recruitment and selection of staff where appropriate
+ The post holder will act independently within Human Resources guidelines, ensuring all areas are compliant (Attendance Management Policy, Disciplinary and Grievance). Supporting clinical and administration staff in delivering first line with Human Resources
+ The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all areas of administration are compliant with Human Resource Key Performance Indicators, including Annual and Interim Appraisals with set objectives and development plans and Bi-Annual Mandatory Training.
+ Manage performance and behavioural issues accordingly when escalated by service leads, ensuring there is effective monitoring and full documentation available.
+ Adhere and promote Trust policies, procedures and guidelines and maintain the Professional Code of Conduct.
+ Manage and support in delivering KPI's.
+ Be responsible for own actions and that of other administration staff, using own initiative and using discretion within difficult situations.
+ To ensure all HR policies are communicated widely and implemented.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Post holder must have a full knowledge of patient access and operational performance and software programmes and their application to improve service efficiency and effectiveness. To manage the process and availability of training for all staff included throughout clinical and administration teams, including systems training, mandatory training etc.
+ To support and monitor that all new staff are compliant with Trust Local Induction programme for each new employee and necessary documentation completed.
+ To develop, implement and maintain a local training package for all levels of staff who wish to develop within administration and clinical teams with support of Learning and Education. Recognise the effective utilisation of all appropriate development resources and opportunities available.
+ Support the management of the 18-week pathway within specialties. Attending clinics where necessary to raise awareness with colleagues, clinical staff ensuring correct pathways attached to ensure 18-week target to be achieved and maintained throughout to Admission. Ensuring compliance in relation to policies i.e. inter provider transfer documentation, choose and book administration and patient choice bookings. Training staff where necessary.
+ Manage and support areas for change within the clinical and administration teams which will lead to improvements in quality and efficiency within specialties.
+ Recognise and accept responsibility for own personal development. Understanding of all Trust IT systems to ensure a delivery of an effective service
+ To take the department lead for any health & safety matters of staff, patients and visitors ensuring a systematic review is undertaken.
+ To undertake training as part of the Trust Mentoring Programme to support and facilitate staff development.
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Ensure that an effective communication network exists within the department and that all staff are aware of corporate and directorate aims and objectives and their contribution in achieving these.
+ Attending Trust monthly Team Brief sessions and ensure that information is cascaded appropriately throughout teams.
+ Carrying out weekly 121 meetings with clinical and administration service leads and managing concerns / issues.
+ Ensure management of staff is consistent with Trust's HR Policies to the achievement of equality, equity and optimum performance.
+ Ensure that colleagues are treated fairly. Behave in a non-discriminatory way and challenge the discriminatory behaviour of others. Be supportive of colleagues or service users who wish to raise issues about discriminatory practice or experience.
+ Work within the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers
+ Continuously review the managerial and organisational effectiveness of the department and develop operational plans for implementing the changes where necessary.
+ Ensure departments are compliant with governance framework managing risk and incidents appropriately within their areas, ensuring all health and safety aspects have been covered. Provide training and guidance to Administration Service Co-ordinators.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Contribute to the achievement of the Trust's business and strategic goals
+ Responsibility for supporting and managing, maintaining and delivering the service budget within financial constraints. Looking at areas that can deliver a CIP across specialities.
+ Identify forecasts, trends and predictions within services providing reports for Directorate Managers or Deputy Directorate Managers when required.
+ Manage service changes that impact and which have financial implications.
+ Support manpower planning within annual budget setting directly with Division Management Accountant.
+ Manage and authorise all stationery requests for all areas within remit.
+ Ensure all delegated budgets adhere to Trust standing financial instructions and standing orders.
+ That activity is delivered in the most cost effective and efficient way, to minimise the need for premium rate work and thereby manage cost down.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
+ Support department and service quality assurance measures to validate the quality of outputs and undertake audits as required to ensure key performance indicators are achieved accordingly.
+ Develop and implement research programme and survey with Learning and Education in order to assess staff requirements for development and training needs
+ Liaise with other internal departments to ensure best practice is delivered.
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unbale to provide sponsorship.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.
If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Working for Team MWL
Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website
The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Additional Information
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.
An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
+ Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
+ Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
+ National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme