Managing Director (Sponsorship Available) – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Job Title: Managing Director
Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £100,000 to £200,000 a year
Job Type: Full-time
Closing Date: 08 March 2026

Important Dates

• Stakeholder Events: W/c 23.3.26

• Panel Interviews: 30.3.26

Applications for this role are invited via the chosen agency, Hunter Healthcare.

Job Summary

This opportunity marks a pivotal moment for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust following completion of the Target Operating Model review. The Trust has simplified its organisational structure and placed strong, accountable leadership at the heart of delivery.

The creation of four Managing Director roles represents a significant step forward in leading, integrating and improving services across Sussex. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest and most complex NHS organisations in the country, serving a diverse population across seven hospital sites and delivering major acute, specialist and tertiary services.

The ambition is clear: Excellent Care Everywhere.

Each Managing Director will lead a substantial executive-level portfolio, typically comprising:

• £250m–£340m annual turnover

• 1,900–4,000 WTE staff

• Up to 330 consultants

• Services delivered across multiple hospital sites

These roles offer significant scope to shape cross-site integration, drive performance and lead meaningful service development.

Main Duties of the Job

The Managing Director is a senior Trust leader with corporate and divisional accountability. The role is responsible for delivering high-quality, patient-centred services across all sites within their Division and contributing to the overall performance and leadership of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Key responsibilities include:

• Accountability for divisional performance across quality, safety, access, people and finance

• Acting as a corporate leader with collective responsibility for Trust-wide delivery, transformation and improvement in line with the strategy “Excellent Care Everywhere”

• Leading the divisional leadership team

• Working closely with the Divisional Medical Director, Divisional Director of Nursing and Divisional Director of Operations

• Fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement

• Ensuring consistent standards across all sites

• Serving as a member of the Executive Management Committee

• Attending the Trust Board and Board Assurance Committees as a non-voting member

• Contributing at Board level to assurance, grip and delivery

About University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is rated Outstanding for Caring by the CQC. Diversity is recognised as a strength, and staff are encouraged to succeed within a creative and innovative community.

The Trust offers:

• A range of staff networks

• Buddy support for new members

• Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) status

• Veteran Aware Trust recognition

Application Process

All applications must be received by 8 March 2026.

Applications must quote reference UHSX_MD and include:

• A full curriculum vitae

• A covering letter (maximum two pages) outlining how the selection criteria are met and reasons for interest in the role

• Contact details for referees covering the last six years (referees will not be contacted without permission)

• Contact email address and telephone number

• Completed Diversity Monitoring Form

• Completed Fit and Proper Person Monitoring Form

Person Specification

Experience and Skills

Essential:

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional level experience

• Ability to gain credibility among senior clinical and operational colleagues

• Extensive senior management experience in a complex healthcare organisation

• Experience managing very large, multi-professional teams

• Proven track record of delivering results and targets

• Experience of multi-agency planning and service delivery

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or equivalent knowledge/experience

• MBA or Doctorate

• Experience leading major transformation programmes

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential:

• Highly developed analytical and judgement skills

• Ability to interpret complex data and make sound decisions

People Management and Development

Essential:

• Highly developed leadership skills

• Ability to inspire, motivate and hold others to account

• Experience managing performance, change and complex people issues

• Ability to balance decisiveness with engagement

• Ability to manage upward and across colleagues

Desirable:

• Coaching or mentoring qualification

Planning and Organising Skills

Essential:

• Strategic thinker

• Ability to plan over short, medium and long-term timescales

• Ability to manage competing priorities

Communication Skills

Essential:

• Highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills

• Ability to present complex information to varied audiences

• Skilled in conflict resolution and partnership working

Desirable:

• Experience of media engagement

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential:

• Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles

• Evidence of undertaking development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Disclosure and Sponsorship

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Certificate of Sponsorship:
Applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Skilled Worker applicants applying for UK entry clearance must present a criminal record certificate from countries where they have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants are also subject to this requirement.

How to Apply

If this opportunity interests you, head to the company’s official website for full details — click here to submit your application.