Interim General Manager – Surgery & Anaesthetics (NHS)

About the role

We are partnering with a leading NHS Trust in London to appoint an Interim General Manager for Surgery & Anaesthetics on a 6‑month fixed‑term basis. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality patient care across a complex surgical portfolio.

Key responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery for Surgery & Anaesthetics services, meeting targets such as RTT, PTL management and elective recovery.
• Collaborate with Clinical Directors, Consultants, Matrons and senior nursing teams to improve service performance and patient flow.
• Manage budgets, business planning and financial performance, identifying efficiency opportunities.
• Drive service transformation, pathway redesign and quality‑improvement initiatives.
• Develop recovery plans and provide robust performance reporting.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment and staff development.
• Handle operational risks, complaints, governance and service escalations.
• Build strong relationships across clinical, operational and corporate teams.

Required profile

• Significant senior operational management experience within an Acute NHS Trust.
• Previous leadership in Surgery, Anaesthetics or other complex elective care services.
• Deep understanding of elective performance, RTT, PTL management and patient flow.
• Proven track record of managing budgets, business planning and operational performance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead service improvement and transformation programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with credibility among senior clinicians and executives.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive day rate (£315‑£400) on a fixed‑term contract.
• Opportunity to influence a high‑performing surgical division within a major NHS Trust.
• Collaborative environment with senior clinical and executive leaders.