Associate Director of Operations (ADO) - Women & Children
| Posting date: | 23 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £91,342 - £105,337 Per annum pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 March 2026 |
| Location: | Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD |
| Company: | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7827405/430-8WC-202510-074 |
Summary
A Vacancy at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Associate Director of Operations (ADO) - Women & Children
Department:Women's & Children
Band: 8d. £91342 to£105,337Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you an exceptional operational leader ready to make a real impact in a dynamic and growing NHS Trust?
Milton Keynes University Hospital is seeking two influential senior leaders to join our operational leadership team:Assistant Director of Operations (Women’s & Children’s)and Assistant Director of Operations (Surgery).
These are pivotal roles at the heart of our organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will take strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of all patient services within your portfolio. You will ensure the highest standards of care while meeting demanding national and local performance targets, including RTT and Cancer waiting times. Alongside this, you will help shape the long term direction of your division, aligning service development with the Trust’s strategic ambitions.
The Women & Children’s division is seeking anAssociate Director of Operationswho embodies our values and behaviours. We are looking for someone who brings energy, visibility and authenticity to their leadership; someone who inspires professionalism, openness and a culture where staff feel empowered to deliver outstanding, compassionate care every day.
This is a rare opportunity to influence and transform the future of surgical services at a time of significant growth. Your leadership will help maintain patient safety and treatment effectiveness, enhance patient experience, drive service innovation and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.
MKUH is an ambitious and expanding hospital. We are delighted to be part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (building work is expected between 2027 and 2030) to create the new home will become the new home for paediatric and maternity care. More information about our site developments can be found here:Milton Keynes - New Hospital Programme - MK View
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If our values resonate with you and you are excited by the opportunity to lead, influence and deliver meaningful change, we would be delighted to hear from you.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Milton Keynes is one of the fastest‑growing and youngest cities in the region, with the population increasing by 15% over the last decade and more than a quarter of residents aged 19 or under. Half of the city’s population is under 35, and 28% were born outside Milton Keynes, creating a vibrant, diverse and rapidly expanding community. For Women’s & Children’s services, this means sustained and increasing demand across maternity, neonatal, paediatric and family pathways. As Associate Director of Operations, you will be leading services at the heart of this demographic growth — shaping care for a young, diverse population, driving innovation to meet rising need, and ensuring families receive safe, timely and compassionate care. It is a role where strategic leadership has a direct and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the next generation.
Together with the Divisional Director & Divisional Chief Nurse As the Divisional “Triumvirate”, with the Divisional Director & Divisional Chief Nurse, you will set and deliver a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU (Clinical Service Unit) strategy and vision that enables the delivery of the Trust objectives.
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH -News - Milton Keynes University Hospital-
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit -Visit Milton Keynes
NHS Staff Survey: This staff group feels strongly supported in maintaining a good balance between a home and work life, scoring 57.1%
Together with other members of the Divisional Triumvirate set, deliver and clearly communicate to staff a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision that enables delivery of the Trust strategy.
Close monitoring and analysis of Divisional budgets to inform Trust Executive committee (TEC) on areas of concern and mitigation to achieve financial balance.
Contribute to the strategy and aspirations of the Trust and acts in a manner consistent with the values. Acting as a broker/bridge between health economy wide decisions and operational delivery.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
This advert closes on Monday 9 Mar 2026
Associate Director of Operations (ADO) - Women & Children
Department:Women's & Children
Band: 8d. £91342 to£105,337Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you an exceptional operational leader ready to make a real impact in a dynamic and growing NHS Trust?
Milton Keynes University Hospital is seeking two influential senior leaders to join our operational leadership team:Assistant Director of Operations (Women’s & Children’s)and Assistant Director of Operations (Surgery).
These are pivotal roles at the heart of our organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will take strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of all patient services within your portfolio. You will ensure the highest standards of care while meeting demanding national and local performance targets, including RTT and Cancer waiting times. Alongside this, you will help shape the long term direction of your division, aligning service development with the Trust’s strategic ambitions.
The Women & Children’s division is seeking anAssociate Director of Operationswho embodies our values and behaviours. We are looking for someone who brings energy, visibility and authenticity to their leadership; someone who inspires professionalism, openness and a culture where staff feel empowered to deliver outstanding, compassionate care every day.
This is a rare opportunity to influence and transform the future of surgical services at a time of significant growth. Your leadership will help maintain patient safety and treatment effectiveness, enhance patient experience, drive service innovation and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.
MKUH is an ambitious and expanding hospital. We are delighted to be part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (building work is expected between 2027 and 2030) to create the new home will become the new home for paediatric and maternity care. More information about our site developments can be found here:Milton Keynes - New Hospital Programme - MK View
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If our values resonate with you and you are excited by the opportunity to lead, influence and deliver meaningful change, we would be delighted to hear from you.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Milton Keynes is one of the fastest‑growing and youngest cities in the region, with the population increasing by 15% over the last decade and more than a quarter of residents aged 19 or under. Half of the city’s population is under 35, and 28% were born outside Milton Keynes, creating a vibrant, diverse and rapidly expanding community. For Women’s & Children’s services, this means sustained and increasing demand across maternity, neonatal, paediatric and family pathways. As Associate Director of Operations, you will be leading services at the heart of this demographic growth — shaping care for a young, diverse population, driving innovation to meet rising need, and ensuring families receive safe, timely and compassionate care. It is a role where strategic leadership has a direct and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the next generation.
Together with the Divisional Director & Divisional Chief Nurse As the Divisional “Triumvirate”, with the Divisional Director & Divisional Chief Nurse, you will set and deliver a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU (Clinical Service Unit) strategy and vision that enables the delivery of the Trust objectives.
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH -News - Milton Keynes University Hospital-
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit -Visit Milton Keynes
NHS Staff Survey: This staff group feels strongly supported in maintaining a good balance between a home and work life, scoring 57.1%
Together with other members of the Divisional Triumvirate set, deliver and clearly communicate to staff a multidisciplinary Divisional and CSU strategy and vision that enables delivery of the Trust strategy.
Close monitoring and analysis of Divisional budgets to inform Trust Executive committee (TEC) on areas of concern and mitigation to achieve financial balance.
Contribute to the strategy and aspirations of the Trust and acts in a manner consistent with the values. Acting as a broker/bridge between health economy wide decisions and operational delivery.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
This advert closes on Monday 9 Mar 2026