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Job summary

Main area
Pathology
Grade
Band 9
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
188-HS030726
Employer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospital Southampton
Town
Southampton
Salary
£112,782 - £129,783 Per Annum Pro Rata
Closing
26/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
17/09/2026

Employer heading

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Wessex Pathology Network Managing Director

Band 9

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Do you want to lead the creation of one of the most ambitious pathology partnerships in the NHS?

The seven Trusts of the Wessex Pathology Network have committed to a bold vision: During 27/8 we will establish a single, high-performing pathology organisation serving almost three million people across Hampshire, Dorset, Salisbury and the Isle of Wight. This is subject to approval by the 7 Trust Boards. We are now seeking an exceptional  Network Managing Director to turn that vision into reality.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a major NHS transformation from the ground up. You will lead the transition from a successful collaboration to a fully established network, delivering a complex programme of change, securing approval for a landmark business case across seven Trust Boards, and creating the foundations for a sustainable, high-quality pathology service for the future and take on the ongoing management of the service.

Reporting to the Network Owners’ Board and working alongside the Network Clinical Director, you will provide visible, strategic leadership across multiple organisations, building trusted relationships, aligning diverse stakeholders and driving delivery at pace.

 

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast. 

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients. 

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an accomplished leader with a track record of leading large-scale transformation, influencing at Board level and delivering results through partnership working. You will combine strategic vision with operational credibility, bringing the confidence, resilience and collaborative leadership needed to navigate complexity and inspire change.

The legacy of our network will ensure patients receive consistently high-quality diagnostic care wherever they live, enabled by our people working together to deliver equitable, efficient and innovative services for generations to come. 

If you want to leave a lasting legacy on NHS diagnostic services and lead one of the most significant pathology transformations in the country, we would like to hear from you.

Additional Information:

The Wessex Pathology Network spans Hampshire, Dorset, Salisbury and the Isle of Wight.

The role will be delivered through a hybrid working arrangement, combining home working with office-based working and regular travel across partner organisations to build relationships, engage with stakeholders and provide visible leadership across the Network.

Person specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • MBA or equivalent level of knowledge of leadership, strategy and management theory
  • Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Formal training or accreditation to doctorate level in pathology scientific disciplines, or equivalent experience
  • MSc or equivalent level understanding of pathology scientific disciplines. Registration with HCPC

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant senior leadership experience within a pathology, diagnostic, healthcare or similarly complex operational environment
  • Evidence of direct involvement in service redesign, innovation and change management
  • Experience of leading organisational change and development across organisational and professional boundaries
  • Experience of managing complex budgets, business cases, performance improvement and cost improvement programmes
  • Experience of leading large multidisciplinary teams and senior management teams
Desirable criteria
  • Successful experience of planning, developing and managing complex healthcare-related services with a safety and quality-critical portfolio
  • Experience of operating within a hosted network, collaborative provider model or multi-organisational governance Structure
  • Experience of research, innovation or commercial partnership development

Trust Values

Essential criteria
  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerInclusion UK

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jane Hayward
Job title
Pathology Network Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

Joe Smyth, Chief Officer IOW, [email protected]

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