Theatre Manager - Ophthalmology

Barts Health NHS Trust
Theatre Manager - Ophthalmology
Closing date: 30 July 2026

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dynamic Theatre Manager to join our Ophthalmology service at Whipps Cross University Hospital. We are seeking an inspirational Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner with substantial ophthalmic theatre experience and a passion for delivering outstanding patient care. This is a key leadership role within our Eye Treatment Centre, providing professional, operational and clinical leadership across the Ophthalmic Theatre service. The successful candidate will lead and support the multidisciplinary scrub, anaesthetic and recovery teams, ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery of ophthalmic surgical services. Working closely with the Matron, Senior Nurse, consultants and wider multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for workforce management, theatre productivity, clinical governance, patient safety, service improvement and staff development. We are looking for a motivated leader with excellent communication and organisational skills, experience of managing teams within a theatre environment, and a commitment to delivering exceptional patient outcomes and staff experience. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking Ophthalmology service at a time of continued growth and transformation.

Main duties of the job
The Ophthalmology Theatre Manager will provide professional, operational and clinical leadership within the Ophthalmic Theatre service, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care in accordance with Trust objectives, national standards and evidence-based practice. The post holder will act as an expert clinical role model, promoting excellence in surgical, anaesthetic and recovery practice through the education, development and support of the multidisciplinary theatre team.

About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers. Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together. We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

Details
Date posted: 16 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year per annum inc
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 259-8159536WXH
Job locations: Whipps Cross University Hospital, London, E11 1NR, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• First-level degree in Nursing, Operating Department Practice or related healthcare profession.
• Current NMC or HCPC registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to theatre management, leadership and ophthalmology services

Desirable

• Ophthalmic specialist qualification.
• Leadership or Management qualification.

Experience
Essential

• Significant post-registration experience within an operating theatre environment
• Substantial experience within Ophthalmology Theatres.
• Experience of coordinating theatre activity, patient flow and service delivery
• Experience of managing staff, including appraisal, supervision, performance management and sickness absence
• Experience of workforce planning, staffing allocation and skill-mix management.

Desirable

• Experience contributing to business cases or service development plans

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of ophthalmic surgical pathways and theatre processes.
• Understanding of infection perioperative prevention and control requirements.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, patient safety and risk management frameworks.
• Understanding of professional and regulatory standards applicable to theatre practice

Desirable

• Knowledge of GIRFT recommendations.
• Knowledge of theatre utilisation and operational performance metrics.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate complex or sensitive information effectively
• Experience of managing difficult conversations with patients, relatives and staff.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to build effective working relationships across organisational boundaries.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to analyse performance information and produce reports

Desirable

• Experience presenting reports, audits or service developments to senior groups.

Other
Essential

• Professional, resilient and adaptable
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service needs

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details
Employer name: Barts Health NHS Trust
Address: Whipps Cross University Hospital, London, E11 1NR, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through the Barts Health NHS Trust website.

For questions about the job, contact:
Senior Nurse
Ibrahim Hemaida
ibrahim.hemaida@nhs.net