Job summary
A key focus of this role is strengthening clinical engagement and supporting a collaborative, high-performing culture across the Division. You will contribute to the day-to-day management of the Division and play an active role in Trust-wide operational and strategic priorities. When required, you will act on behalf of the Chief of Service, providing visible and credible leadership.

You will work closely with the Director of Midwifery, Divisional Director of Quality & Nursing, and Divisional Director of Operations, supported by teams in Finance, Business Intelligence, Human Resources, and Quality Governance. The role reports to the Chief of Service, with accountability through the Chief Operating Officer and professional guidance from the Medical Director.

The successful candidate will be an experienced senior clinician with evidence of operating at a senior level within a complex healthcare environment. You will demonstrate strong strategic awareness, operational capability, sound judgement, and a commitment to partnership working. You will be an effective communicator with a proven ability to motivate teams, negotiate constructively, and support performance improvement.

Main duties of the job
Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement in quality and efficiency, ensuring appropriate involvement of patients and the public and linking with the Trust Quality Academy.
• Provide clinical support to ensure delivery of statutory performance targets.
• Support the Division in achieving financial balance through clinically informed decision-making.

Management and Leadership

• Support the development needs of divisional team members and contribute to a culture of professional growth.
• Agree personal development objectives with the Chief of Service and COO to ensure you can discharge your responsibilities effectively.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of education and leadership support for clinical leaders across the Division.
• Inspire teams and individuals, ensuring clear and effective communication across the Division.
• Demonstrate a leadership style that encourages local ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• Contribute to Trust-wide leadership, working collaboratively with other Divisions, corporate teams, and Trust Directors.
• Support achievement of income plans, effective budgetary control, delivery of Divisional Financial Sustainability Plans, and high standards of financial probity.

About us
The Women's and Children's Division is one of the four clinical divisions within our Trust, leading and managing core operational clinical services through a divisional structure. We provide a comprehensive range of services, covering Paediatric and Obstetrics and Gynaecological. Our division boasts an excellent array of services, headed by the most talented professionals in the field. With a variety of opportunities, the Women's and Children's Division offers a wide range of services situated at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital and Stroud Maternity Unit. The role of Chief of Service will present challenges, but following significant work over the past few years, our division is shaping up to be an ideal place for a clinical leader looking to expand their experience in clinical and operational leadership. We champion an improvement approach that supports ongoing changes and development of our services. You will work closely with an excellent divisional leadership team and their deputies. The Women's and Children's Division maintain key relationships not only with other core divisions but also with corporate functions and partner organisations across Gloucestershire. You will receive the support not only of Divisional Leadership colleagues, but also of the other Divisional Leadership teams and the Trust executive teams in addition to your professional development.

Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

• Support and champion the Trusts and Integrated Care Systems strategic direction.
• Ensure robust processes are in place to minimise risks to patients and staff while optimising clinical effectiveness.
• Support the delivery of effective, efficient, highquality patient services that meet patient and commissioner needs and achieve key access and performance targets.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement in quality and efficiency, ensuring appropriate involvement of patients and the public and linking with the Trust Quality Academy.
• Provide clinical support to ensure delivery of statutory performance targets.
• Support the Division in achieving financial balance through clinically informed decisionmaking.

Professional Development, Education and Training

• Support the development needs of divisional team members and contribute to a culture of professional growth.
• Agree personal development objectives with the Chief of Service and COO to ensure you can discharge your responsibilities effectively.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of education and leadership support for clinical leaders across the Division.

Management and Leadership

• Support the development needs of divisional team members and contribute to a culture of professional growth.
• Agree personal development objectives with the Chief of Service and COO to ensure you can discharge your responsibilities effectively.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of education and leadership support for clinical leaders across the Division.
• Inspire teams and individuals, ensuring clear and effective communication across the Division.
• Demonstrate a leadership style that encourages local ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• Support subdivisional teams with effective performance management arrangements.
• Ensure clinical cover and job planning arrangements meet the needs of individuals and the wider Trust.
• Contribute to workforce planning to ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix, supporting high standards of training, appraisal, and staff engagement.
• Contribute to Trustwide leadership, working collaboratively with other Divisions, corporate teams, and Trust Directors.
• Build effective working relationships with GPs, stakeholders, regulators, and system partners.
• Support achievement of income plans, effective budgetary control, delivery of Divisional Financial Sustainability Plans, and high standards of financial probity.

Planning and Organisation

• Support the preparation and implementation of short and longterm plans aligned with the Trusts strategy, covering service standards, activity, workforce, equipment, estates, and income.

Research and Development

• Promote a culture of research and innovation within the Division.
• Support clinical services to participate in research and innovation activities.
• Identify opportunities to attract research and innovation funding.

Communications and Working Relationships

• Demonstrate highly effective communication skills, with the ability to build teams, negotiate successfully, motivate others, and support performance management.
• Maintain a strong commitment to service transformation and improvement, addressing challenges with sensitivity and determination.
• Build and maintain a broad network of contacts within and outside the Trust.

Clinical Governance

• Support the implementation of robust processes to minimise risks to patients and staff while optimising clinical effectiveness.

Other Responsibilities

• Support the advancement of the Trusts Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda and help embed EDI principles across the Division.

The ideal candidate will be a senior clinician with at least three years experience. While experience within Womens and Childrens services is not essential, you must demonstrate strong strategic and operational leadership skills, sound judgement, and a clear vision.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

• Registered with a nationally recognised clinical authority
• Evidence of continuing personal and professional development

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Highly developed political awareness and demonstrable leadership, negotiation and influencing skills combined with the ability to motivate, challenge and engage individuals and teams
• Strong and effective engagement and communication skills
• Setting out a clear vision and strategic direction, inspiring others and assuming command according to the situation
• Actively seeking, establishing and developing effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Analysing, interpreting and presenting complex data
• Ability to contribute to effective Trust Management Team working and an understanding of organisation and risk management and the monitoring of compliance with legal, ethical, clinical, social, regulatory and environmental requirements
• Understanding of the requirements of good financial management
• Broad understanding of the NHS policy context

Desirable

• Ability to work with academic partners e.g. universities and colleges and promoting research

Clinical/Work Experience
Essential

• Leadership of clinical staff and services
• Track record of innovation and delivery
• Evidence of service improvement
• Experience in consultation and negotiation
• Personal and professional credibility with directors, clinicians, managers and staff
• Understanding of operational management of clinical services
• Health system-wide experience

Desirable

• Service and business planning
• Experience of developing new models of care and implementing service redesign inside and across directorate/organisational boundaries
• Experience of clinical strategy development

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Gloucester Royal Hospital & Cheltenham General, Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Chief of Service
Dr Clara Thompson
clara.thompson@nhs.net
03004228494

Details
Date posted: 04 September 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Specialty Doctor
Salary: £63,696 to £150,569 a year pro rata per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 318-26-DEPCHIEFW&C
Job locations: Gloucester Royal Hospital & Cheltenham General, Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN, United Kingdom