Theatre Manager - Cambridge

OneWelbeck Group; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Theatre Manager to lead clinical and managerial operations in the operating theatres. The role involves ensuring high-quality surgical care, team management, and compliance with regulatory standards. Candidates should have NMC or HCPC registration, strong leadership skills, and experience in theatre settings. This full-time position offers a collaborative environment and the opportunity to influence patient care.

Qualifications

• Extensive background in anaesthetics, scrub, or recovery within operating theatre setting.
• Demonstrable team management experience with skills in influencing, coaching, and developing others.
• Ability to lead audits, investigations, and quality improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the theatre team in delivering outstanding patient care across all perioperative stages.
• Ensure patient safety is always prioritised and advocate for concerns regarding care.
• Oversee staffing levels and skill mix to deliver efficient theatre services.

Skills

Leadership & people management skills

Influencing and coaching

Communication skills

Planning and organisation

Problem-solving skills

Education

NMC or HCPC registration

Perioperative leadership experience

Job description

Overview

Theatre Manager - Cambridge - Reference Welbeck Centre

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Theatre Manager to provide excellent clinical and managerial leadership for the delivery of exemplary planned surgical care for patients in the operating theatres. This position will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day organisation and management of care provision within the theatre suite, including the management of pre-operative assessment and the patient’s peri-operative stay. This will require oversight of clinical practice, resource management, clinician engagement, safe staffing provision and financial management, to ensure that the centre meets all regulatory requirements and safety standards. This role is line managed by the Clinical Services Director but will also work closely with the Centre Director as the Registered Manager, Director of Anaesthesia and Centre Medical Director.

• Location: Cambridge
• Full Time

Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities

You will work predominantly Monday–Friday, with shifts typically scheduled between 7am and 6pm. Flexibility will be required to meet the needs of the centre, including extended opening hours and occasional weekend services. This position as Theatre Manager is a senior managerial role, providing day-to-day leadership and ensuring high-quality service delivery at the Welbeck Centre as well as working operationally to maintain high visibility for all stakeholders. You will work with the clinicians, senior leadership team and other department colleagues to drive the strategic direction of the centre and develop the services offered by the operating department. This role is responsible for participating in specialty boards meetings, other board meetings as required and organising specialist meetings with Consultant Anaesthetists.

Clinical and Professional Leadership

• Lead the theatre team in delivering outstanding patient care across all perioperative stages, including anaesthetics, surgery, and recovery
• Foster a culture of compassion and respect through effective team engagement, communication, and support
• Maintain a high visibility within the clinical area and act as a clinical expert within the surgical area

Quality and Patient Safety

• Ensure patient safety is always prioritised, acting as an advocate and speaking up on any concerns regarding care or safeguarding
• Drive clinical standards through implementation of evidence-based practice, clinical audits, and adherence to regulatory requirements
• Lead by example in maintaining infection control, documentation standards, and compliance with governance frameworks

Workforce Management and Development

• Attract, develop, and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary theatre team
• Oversee the training, supervision, and appraisal process to support continuous learning and professional growth
• Provide guidance and support to staff, whilst fostering a culture of openness, psychological safety, and professional integrity where staff feel confident to speak up

Operational and Financial Management

• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix to deliver efficient theatre services through effective resource planning, scheduling, and coordination
• Lead on workforce planning aligned to projected activity, ensuring workforce efficiency and balancing contracted and variable staffing
• Support the development and delivery of business plans, service development initiatives, and departmental budgeting

Communication and Collaboration

• Maintain strong working relationships with consultants, anaesthetists, and other key stakeholders to support seamless service delivery
• Participate in centre wide communication forums including daily handovers, and contribute to strategic and operational decision-making
• Promote cross-departmental teamwork to ensure continuity and participate in consultant committees for coordination of quality patient care

Governance and Compliance

• Support regulatory compliance by ensuring the theatre department meets all statutory and is always CQC inspection ready
• Contribute to incident investigations, risk assessments, and audit cycles, embedding learnings and improvements
• Lead on the pre-assessment process, actively engage with the admin bookings team and coordinate with clinicians on list order and duration

Experience / Qualifications

Essential

• NMC or HCPC registered practitioner with perioperative leadership experience
• Extensive background in anaesthetics, scrub, or recovery within operating theatre setting
• Demonstrable team management experience within a clinical setting with skills in influencing, coaching and developing others
• Demonstrable planning and organisational skills including labour management and workforce efficiency
• Understanding of AfPP guidance on staffing and its practice implementation
• Working with IT systems and data analysis, including theatre allocation and utilisation tools
• Experience of CQC inspections and/or readiness
• Ability to lead audits, investigations and quality improvement projects
• The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellence in: Leadership & people management skills within a multi-disciplinary team; Adaptability and agility; Communications skills - presenting, influencing, persuading and negotiating; Collaboration – building partnerships and strategic working relationships; Integrity and resilience; Problem solving skills; Planning, organisation and delegation skills

Desirable

• Background across a range of specialties in the operating theatre setting
• Experience managing theatre services within private healthcare or NHS environments
• Understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and commercial development in a clinical setting
• Experience with theatre scheduling software and electronic patient record systems
• Previous experience of working in partnership with consultants and across clinical teams