OPERATIONAL MANAGER NURSING GENERAL REF NO: GS 14/26 Component: Nursing Department- Surgical Ward

Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is seeking a highly experienced and registered professional nurse to fill the role of Operational Manager for Nursing in the Surgical Ward. This is a demanding middle-management position within the hospital’s nursing department, responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and quality assurance of surgical nursing services. The successful candidate will step into a role that requires balancing clinical excellence with administrative oversight, ensuring that every patient who accesses surgical care at Grey’s Hospital receives safe, compassionate, and high-quality treatment within a therapeutic environment. As an operational manager, the post holder will be a key figure in translating the hospital’s strategic objectives into day-to-day nursing practice, working closely with multidisciplinary teams, patients, families, and other stakeholders.

To be considered for this post, candidates must hold a Grade 12 certificate as well as a Degree or Diploma in General Nursing that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Professional Nurse. Current registration with SANC, supported by the 2026 receipt, is essential. Applicants must also have a minimum of seven years of appropriate nursing experience after their initial registration as a Professional Nurse. The role demands a broad and current knowledge base, including nursing care processes, the Nursing Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Patients’ Rights Charter, Batho Pele principles, Public Service Regulations, the Labour Relations Act, disciplinary codes and grievance procedures, and financial and budgetary principles relevant to managing resources. Strong leadership, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities are crucial, as are interpersonal skills such as public relations, negotiating, conflict handling, and counselling. Basic computer literacy is also required.

The duties of the Operational Manager are wide-ranging. The incumbent will assist in planning, organizing, and monitoring the objectives of the Surgical Unit, and will manage and provide a therapeutic environment for staff, patients, and the public. Effective communication with all stakeholders is essential, as is the delivery of high-quality nursing care with attention to safety risk assessments, patient safety incident prevention, and reporting. The role includes managing and supervising all resources with a strong focus on cost containment, as well as coordinating and planning training and research initiatives aimed at improving surgical nursing care. The manager will also be responsible for instilling discipline, professionalism, and work ethics among staff, and for developing strategies that ensure compliance with quality care and infection prevention and control programmes, including the Ideal Hospital Realisation and Maintenance framework and Norms and Standards. Maintaining a constructive working environment with multidisciplinary team members and providing effective support to nursing management, including relief duties, are further key responsibilities.

This post is advertised with an employment equity target and is subject to the standard public service recruitment process. Shortlisted candidates will need to submit certified documents and service certificates endorsed by Human Resources, and will undergo both a practical technical exercise and an integrity assessment as part of the selection process. The position offers a competitive public service salary package with benefits such as a 13th cheque and optional medical aid, and it presents a meaningful opportunity for a seasoned nurse leader to make a significant impact on surgical care at one of KwaZulu-Natal’s major hospitals.