Head of Surgical Services
Location: KIMS Hospital, Maidstone
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive

Are you ready to lead surgical services where clinical excellence, patient experience and commercial performance come together? Could you inspire and develop high-performing theatre, endoscopy and decontamination teams? Are you a strategic clinical leader who can influence at Board and Consultant level while remaining firmly focused on delivering outstanding patient care?

If the answer is yes, this could be your next leadership opportunity.

KIMS Hospital, Maidstone is looking for an exceptional Head of Surgical Services to provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership across our Operating Theatres, Sterile Services and Endoscopy Services.

This is a pivotal role within the hospital, offering the opportunity to shape the future of our surgical services while directly influencing patient experience, clinical quality, operational efficiency and business performance.

You will be a highly visible and influential clinical leader, working closely with the Chief Nurse, Hospital Director, Medical Director, Consultants, Senior Management Team and Senior Leadership Team. You will play a key role in developing and delivering services that are clinically outstanding, commercially successful and differentiated within the independent healthcare sector.

With the majority of your time focused on KIMS Hospital's operating theatres, you will also contribute to the development of surgical and endoscopy services across the wider KIMS Hospital Group.

What will you be responsible for?

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across theatres, endoscopy, and sterile services, translating organisational strategy into high-quality, efficient and patient-focused services.
• Ensure compliance with CQC, MHRA and other regulatory requirements while championing infection prevention, audit, evidence-based practice, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, develop and motivate teams through clear accountability, strong communication, professional development, and effective change management.
• Work with key stakeholders to optimise theatre utilisation, session allocation, turnaround times, staffing and skill mix, while ensuring effective budget management, revenue capture and responsible use of resources.
• Work collaboratively with consultants, clinicians, and senior leaders to identify opportunities for service development, innovation and growth, helping KIMS continue to deliver an outstanding and distinctive clinical offering.
• Be a visible and credible leader across KIMS, building strong relationships with consultants and senior stakeholders. You will also support the Chief Nurse and deputise during periods of absence.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for an ambitious, experienced, and inspirational clinical leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational expertise.

You will be someone who can confidently navigate complex clinical and commercial environments, make sound decisions under pressure, and bring people with you through change. Above all, you will be passionate about delivering healthcare at its best and creating an environment where both patients and colleagues can thrive.

Essential criteria

• Registered Practitioner – RN or ODP.
• Extensive post-registration clinical experience as a senior theatre practitioner within an acute hospital, NHS or independent sector.
• Postgraduate clinical and/or leadership and management qualification, with previous experience in a senior clinical leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience of clinical and corporate governance, change management and budget planning/management.

Desirable criteria

• Graduate degree-level education.
• Established external professional networks.

Why KIMS Hospital Group?
This is much more than a theatre leadership position. It is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical part of the hospital's clinical operation and have a genuine influence on its future.

At KIMS, we believe in “healthcare at its best” — putting patients at the heart of what we do while creating an environment where talented people are empowered to lead, innovate and make a difference.

If you are an accomplished theatre leader looking for a role where your clinical expertise, leadership capability, commercial understanding and ambition can truly make an impact, we would love to hear from you.

Apply online today and take the next step in your leadership career with KIMS Hospital Group.

For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Diane on 01622 231780 or email recruitment@kims.org.uk with any queries.

Posted 12th October 2026

KIMS Hospital is an equal opportunities employer.