General Manager, Women's and Children's
Band 8b \- General Manager, Women's and Children's
------------------------------------------------------
Band 8b
Main area
Women's and Children's
Grade
Band 8b
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Commencing 1 July 2026\)
Hours
Full time \- 37\.5 hours per week
Job ref
360\-D\-11287\-A
Department name
West Herts \- General Staffing
Site
Watford General Hospital
Town
Watford
Salary
£68,852 \- £79,638 pa inc. HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/06/2026 23:59
Job overview
We are recruiting a Band 8b \- General Manager to provide senior operational and strategic leadership within the Women’s and Children’s Division at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and Divisional leadership team, you will be accountable for the performance, delivery and continuous improvement of a complex portfolio of services. This role suits an experienced NHS operational leader with strong financial acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills and a collaborative, values‑driven leadership style.
You will play a key role in shaping service strategy, improving patient experience, delivering national targets and supporting a positive, inclusive culture across multidisciplinary teams.
We offer the opportunity to influence real change, work with committed clinical leaders and contribute to the Trust’s vision of excellent patient care.
Main duties of the job
As General Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the operational, financial and workforce performance of your service portfolio. You will lead business planning, performance management and service improvement, working towards delivery of national and local targets, including RTT and waiting list standards.
You will act as budget holder, develop cost improvement programmes and lead service development and business case approvals. Working in partnership with Clinical Directors, Matrons and senior managers, you will ensure high‑quality, patient‑centred services that meet governance and safety standards.
You will provide visible leadership to management teams, support workforce planning and development, manage complex operational escalations and contribute to divisional and Trust‑wide objectives. The post requires significant NHS management experience, strong analytical and financial skills, excellent communication abilities and the resilience to lead within a complex healthcare environment.
Working for our organisation
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award\-winning virtual hospital and re\-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long\-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the day‑to‑day operational management, performance delivery and financial control of a defined portfolio within the Women’s \& Children’s Division. Key responsibilities include service planning, performance management against national and local targets, budget management, workforce oversight and delivery of service improvement initiatives.
The role works in close partnership with Clinical Directors, Matrons, Heads of Department and corporate teams including Finance, HR, Governance and Strategy. The General Manager will support effective governance, manage operational risks and escalations and contribute to Trust‑wide priorities and transformation programmes.
The core working hours are Monday to Friday; however, flexibility is required to meet service needs. This may include occasional extended hours and attendance at meetings outside of normal working patterns. Full details will be discussed at interview.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Education to degree level or equivalent qualification
- Studying for/plans to study management qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Key issues and pace of change facing the NHS nationally and locally, assess and describe impact on services
- Knowledge and understanding of governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
Experience
Essential criteria
- Operational management experience in an Acute NHS organisation
- Experience of managing several complex NHS services, preferably within the Acute
As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
- Job Description (PDF, 720\.3KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name
Florence Muzanechita
Job title
Deputy Director of Operations Women's\&Children's
Email address
f.muzanechita@nhs.net
Telephone number
07584271642
Additional information
Samantha Clarke\-Bradley
Personal Assistant
01923 436467 (WGH) ext.: 8467
If you have problems applying, contact
Address
Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
Telephone
01442 365233
List all jobs in Administrative Services or all s
This listing is from indeed. View original listing ↗