Operations Director

Spire Murrayfield Hospital is a well-established private hospital supporting patients across Wirral, Merseyside, North Wales and the surrounding communities. The hospital provides inpatient, day-case, outpatient, diagnostic and surgical services, supported by committed colleagues and a strong local reputation. 

As Operations Director, you will play a central role in delivering the hospital’s strategy, improving operational performance and supporting its continued growth.

In this broad and influential position, you will:

• →Provide visible, inclusive and accountable leadership across non-clinical services, including ward administration, catering, engineering, housekeeping, reception, supplies, procurement and switchboard.
• →Lead, develop and empower Heads of Department, setting clear expectations and translating hospital priorities into measurable departmental objectives.
• →Maximise the safe and effective use of theatres, outpatient clinics, diagnostic imaging, inpatient and day-case capacity.
• →Review patient flow, space utilisation, staffing models and working patterns to support demand, service quality and sustainable growth.
• →Monitor operational performance indicators, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring timely and effective action is taken.
• →Work in partnership with the Finance Director to prepare and manage non-clinical budgets, control costs and improve productivity and profitability.
• →Identify commercial, capacity and service improvement opportunities and translate them into practical plans with measurable outcomes.
• →Coordinate operational risk, incidents, policies and regulatory actions in partnership with clinical and governance colleagues.
• →Lead operational service changes and relevant local capital schemes, ensuring effective planning, governance and benefit tracking.
• →Contribute fully to Senior Management Team decision-making and hospital-wide leadership priorities.
• →Participate in the hospital’s Senior Management Team on-call rota and support the operational response outside normal working hours when required.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can demonstrate successful operational delivery within a complex, multi-functional and customer-focused environment.

• Significant senior management experience, with evidence of leading teams, organisational change and performance improvement.
• Strong commercial judgement and a sound understanding of budgets, business processes, capacity planning and operational performance.
• A successful track record of developing managers, improving colleague engagement and delivering results through others.
• The ability to translate strategic and commercial opportunities into practical, measurable delivery plans.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and process-improvement skills.
• The confidence to manage competing priorities, challenge constructively and make sound, considered decisions.
• Excellent communication, listening, facilitation and presentation skills.
• The ability to influence a diverse range of senior stakeholders and build trusted working relationships.
• A proactive, resilient and results-focused approach, supported by high levels of initiative and accountability.
• Confidence using data, digital tools and Microsoft Office applications to monitor performance and support decision-making.
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development. 

Healthcare experience would be advantageous, particularly within independent healthcare or another regulated service environment. However, applications are also welcomed from experienced leaders working in other complex, regulated and customer-focused sectors who can demonstrate strong and relevant transferable experience.

A relevant degree, postgraduate business qualification, management qualification, or formal experience of improvement, change or project management methodologies would also be desirable. 

As Operations Director, your impact will be visible across the hospital. Success in this position will mean:

• Non-clinical teams are engaged, well led and clear about their contribution to the hospital strategy.
• Capacity, utilisation and patient flow are managed proactively and safely.
• Patients and consultants receive responsive, coordinated and customer-focused operational support.
• Financial and operational performance is clearly understood and supported by effective improvement plans.
• Heads of Department are empowered to improve services while remaining accountable for delivery.
• Operational risks, policies and improvement actions are managed consistently and effectively. 

The majority of the working week will be hospital-based. The role may require occasional evening or weekend working, participation in an on-call rota and travel to regional or national meetings, which may include overnight stays.

Spire Healthcare reserves the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications is received.