Closing date: 29 July 2026
Job summary
We are seeking an outstanding and experienced leader to join University Hospitals Tees as our Director of Pathology. This is a pivotal role responsible for the strategic, operational, and clinical leadership of pathology services across the organisation.

Pathology plays a central role in modern healthcare delivery, significantly influencing an organisation's ability to provide high-quality, efficient, and effective patient care. Evolving demographics, increasing demand, advances in technology, and the ongoing focus on efficiency are key factors driving improvements in service quality, while also reshaping and streamlining how healthcare services are delivered.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the development and delivery of a modern, integrated pathology service aligned with ICS (Integrated Care System) priorities.
• Drive the adoption and integration of a continuous Quality Improvement methodology and culture throughout the Joint Pathology Service.
• Ensure services meet quality, governance, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee financial performance, including budget management, cost improvement programmes, and service transformation.
• Build strong relationships with clinicians, operational leaders, and external partners to support excellent patient care pathways.
• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, promoting staff engagement, development, and wellbeing.
• Ensure robust risk management and clinical governance frameworks are in place.

You will play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred diagnostic services, ensuring compliance with national standards while driving innovation, efficiency, and service integration across the Trust and wider healthcare system.

About us
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Details
Date posted: 02 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8d
Salary: £94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 328-CSS-8117857
Job locations: The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom

Job description
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

• Masters Degree or equivalent experience
• Relevant postgraduate professional/management qualification or experience

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• High level of managerial competency with the ability to lead and manage change in a complex and dynamic organisation.
• Awareness, knowledge and understanding of the NHS and the NHS Long Term Plan.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience of successfully managing NHS pathology laboratories at a senior level
• Experience of leading large scale strategic transformation projects
• Experience of leading pathology services and having clinical and scientific credibility
• Extensive experience as a senior manager with a track record of delivering excellent results in leadership and a management of complex operations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Employer details
Employer name: South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Service Director for Clinical Support Services, Simon Milburn, simon.milburn@nhs.net, 01642850850

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