Associate Group Manager, Women and Children'sNHS

Job summary

We are looking for a talented and passionate Associate Group Manager to join our Women's and Children's Group, working primarily across Perinatal and Paediatric Services.

This is a brilliant opportunity to work alongside experienced midwifery, nursing, medical and operational teams, helping to shape and deliver high-quality services for women, babies, children and their families.

You will join us at an important time for our services, with the opportunity to contribute to major improvement priorities including the Maternity and Neonatal 10 Point Plan, maternity and neonatal transformation, paediatric elective recovery and the developing national patient-safety agenda for children and young people.

We are looking for someone who brings energy, curiosity and a real passion for improvement. If you enjoy working with people, tackling complex challenges and turning ideas into meaningful change for patients and staff, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your leadership experience and make a real difference.

Interviews are expected to be held on Friday 4th December 2026.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Closing Date: This advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received, so please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Main duties of the job

As Associate Group Manager, you will play a central role in the operational leadership of Perinatal and Paediatric Services, working in partnership with midwifery, nursing and medical leaders to deliver ambitious improvements for women, babies, children and families.

You will help lead a diverse and high-profile portfolio, including maternity and neonatal safety, workforce and capacity, neonatal flow, paediatric elective recovery and children's urgent and emergency care. You will have real scope to shape services, improve performance, tackle operational challenges and ensure our people and resources are focused where they can make the greatest difference.

This is a role for someone who enjoys being close to services and close to teams. You will combine strong operational grip with curiosity and creativity, using data and insight to understand what is happening, asking the right questions and working with colleagues to turn improvement plans into sustained change.

We are looking for an energetic, credible and compassionate leader who can bring people together, influence across professional boundaries and remain focused when the environment is challenging. Above all, you will bring the drive and ambition to help our teams provide the very best care and experience for the women, babies, children and families we serve.

Job description

The Associate Group Manager is responsible to the Group Manager for the Medicine Group and provides a managerial focus with the Clinical Lead in the development and provision of a comprehensive, high quality, patient centred service within the resources available.The post has key functions: operational management of the specialty, including the delivery of performance against financial and activity targets; supporting the development and delivery of service strategy; organisational development and the management of risk.

Operational Management

• Lead and manage the specialty, ensuring clear communication and robust implementation of policy, business objectives and agreed targets.
• Chair and lead meetings, working with the Group Manager, Modern Matron and Clinical Leaders to ensure sound operational management of all areas with robust, reviewable systems.
• Manage the operational performance of the specialty to achieve delivery of national and local targets, the development and delivery of improvement plans and reengineering of roles/models of care.
• In liaison with the Group Finance Manager agree and deliver against financial and activity profiles for the specialty/departments, identify risks and implement and review risk reduction strategies.
• Implement and review robust systems and processes so that speciality budgets are effectively managed and financial balance is achieved, within Trust budgetary rules, Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions.
• Implement HR and governance strategies and policies within the specialty in order to achieve compliancy with Trust policies and procedures, best practice, relevant legislation and regulatory provisions.
• Lead the timely investigation and resolution of complaints, clinical adverse events and untoward incidents, involving staff and/or patients, within the specialty and implement strategies to reduce risk of reoccurrence and promote quality
• Manage staff within the specialty, including regularly reviewing establishments and skill mix in collaboration with Group Manager, Clinical Lead, Modern Matron and Clinical Leaders to ensure organisational efficiency and clinical excellence.
• Implement and review robust arrangements within the specialty to effectively deal with emergencies, in line with Trust policy, including elective and emergency admissions, major emergencies and mechanical failures.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.