About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Operating Theatre Manager to oversee the daily operations of our state-of-the-art operating theatres. The ideal candidate will ensure the highest standards of patient care, safety, and efficiency within the surgical department.

Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership, Quality Care and Patient Safety.

• Provide visible clinical leadership across Theatre Services and ensure consistent adherence to perioperative/postoperative clinical pathways, escalation protocols, and nursing standards.
• Oversee high-risk case readiness: emergency response coordination for intraoperative emergencies and multidisciplinary coordination (surgeons, anaesthesia, PACU/recovery, ICU/HDU, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, blood bank, etc.), as applicable.
• Ensure strict compliance to safe perioperative/postoperative practices and sustained use of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, including team communication, counts, specimen labelling and equipment concerns.
• Participate in the development of SOPs, lead implementation of SOPs, QIPs, clinical audits, and take corrective actions while tracking outcomes and closing any gaps.
• Ensure incident reporting is timely, complete, and used for learning by actively promoting reporting of near misses and ensuring feedback loops to staff.

Patient Experience and perioperative/postoperative/ Post-operative Care

• Drive a culture of respectful, dignified, and supportive patient care (privacy, consent, communication), aligned to quality and safety expectations for perioperative/postoperative services (documentation, investigations, consent, post-op handover to PACU/ward with clear recovery concerns and plans).
• Own patient complaints/compliments for the unit: investigate, resolve, and implement improvement actions; monitor service recovery and trends.
• Deliver patient satisfaction outcomes (including NPS) through service excellence, consistent communication, and streamlined perioperative/postoperative flow.

People Management, Staffing, Performance and Culture

• Lead and manage the Theatre team: onboarding/orientation, coaching, daily work allocation, mentorship, performance appraisal, consequence management, and talent development (competencies/ Training).
• Prepare and manage monthly duty rota; ensure safe coverage, skill-mix balance, leave planning, and productivity, while controlling overtime/locum utilisation. 
• Run regular staff meetings/huddles with documented minutes and follow-up actions; champion staff engagement and teamwork. 
• Support staff well-being and retention initiatives, recognizing the link between ward climate/staff experience and patient experience. 

Operations Management and Coordination

• Ensure efficient theatre operations and patient flow: list readiness, room utilisation, case sequencing, turnaround time, and escalation of delays/ capacity constraints to maintain safety and service standards.
• Ensure accurate shift handovers (structured handover), patient documentation completeness, confidentiality, and record integrity. 
• Coordinate multidisciplinary rounds and ensure primary nurse engagement with doctors and other providers regarding patients’ plan of care with emphasis on a team-based problem-solving approach.
• Maintain unit dashboard/ Report (daily/weekly/monthly) covering activity, outcomes, incidents, patient experience, staffing, overtime/locums, stock variance, and billing KPIs an managing theatre packages within limits
• Submit accurate reports within agreed timelines and use data to drive targeted improvement actions.
• Support approved marketing events and ensure service readiness and professionalism during activations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Higher Diploma in Nursing (perioperative/postoperative). A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an added advantage. 
• A valid nursing council of Kenya license
• Valid certification in BLS, ACLS or ATLS 
• 3+ years of perioperative/postoperative/theatre nursing experience and at least 2+ years of management experience
• Customer focus, results oriented, Strong interpersonal skills, team player, and strong communication skills.
• Experience in incident management, patient safety, quality improvement, and operational coordination.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Operational planning and organizational skills.
• Customer-focused and service-oriented.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Results-oriented with strong attention to detail.
• Proficient in hospital information systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Personal Attributes

• Ethical and reliable.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Team player with collaborative leadership style.
• Professional demeanor and emotional intelligence.
• Committed to continuous learning and service

Additional Details

This is a full-time position based in Nairobi. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

• Manage and coordinate all activities within the operating theatre department.
• Ensure compliance with all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
• Supervise and lead a team of theatre nurses, technicians, and support staff.
• Develop and implement efficient scheduling and resource allocation for surgical procedures.
• Maintain inventory of surgical supplies, equipment, and medications, ensuring adequate stock levels.
• Monitor and manage the budget for the operating theatre department.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and performance monitoring.
• Conduct staff training and development programs.

• Proven experience in managing a team and departmental operations.
• Strong knowledge of surgical procedures, sterile techniques, and infection control.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in relevant healthcare management software.
• Ability to work under pressure and make sound decisions.

• Registered Nurse with a valid practicing license.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing or a related field.
• Master's degree in Healthcare Management or a related field is an added advantage.