Associate Director of Operations

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 91,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional mental health trust in Manchester is seeking an Associate Director of Operations to manage operational activities and ensure financial stability and performance. The role involves contributing to service development and leading service change initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience in senior operational roles with a strong background in mental health services. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential. This permanent position offers a salary between £91,342 and £105,337 per annum with substantial benefits.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent pension

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Significant track record of employment at a senior operational level delivering mental health services.
• Considerable experience in operational leadership roles.
• Up to date knowledge of current health agenda locally and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational activities for the specialist care group.
• Ensure financial stability and meet national and local targets.
• Contribute to service development across Greater Manchester.

Skills

Operational leadership

Service change management

Clinical governance knowledge

Teamwork and relationship building

Education

Relevant health or social care qualification

Job description

Job summary

Associate Director of Operations for the specialist care group will work alongside an Associate Medical Director and an Associate Director of Nursing and Quality as a Trio to deliver safe and effective services.

The Trio work closely with the leads for psychological professions and allied health professionals.

The specialist care group covers services for:

• Children & Adolescent Inpatient & Community
• Early intervention services
• University services
• Addictions & Homelessness
• Deaf Mental Health
• Neurodiversity and LD
• Talking therapies
• Military Veterans
• Specialist psychology
• Eating disorders
• Perinatal

Main duties of the job

Associate Director of Operations holds responsibility for the operational management and leadership of a designated portfolio. Key duties include ensuring financial stability and robust performance management to meet national and local targets, while supporting the Trust's strategic and business plans. The role involves contributing to continuous improvement, service development across Greater Manchester, and deputising for the Chief Operating Officer where required.

Strategic responsibilities focus on implementing service redesigns, developing business cases, and identifying opportunities for new or expanded services in line with Trust priorities. The postholder also leads or contributes to service reviews and major projects, utilising specialist knowledge and analytical skills.

The role requires effective communication and positive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring policies and procedures are followed, and representing the Trust at external forums. The Associate Director is also responsible for promoting service user, carer, and staff involvement in service development, and for ensuring strong on-call and escalation arrangements.

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community‑based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Job locations

Trust headquarters, Prestwich

Job details

Date posted: 05 January 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 8d

Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 437-7693022

Benefits

• Pay Enhancements
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Person Specification

Essential

• A relevant health or social care qualification at degree level or relevant/ equivalent experience.
• Significant track record of employment at a senior operational level delivering mental health services
• Considerable experience in operational leadership roles
• Evidence of leading service change with colleagues
• Up to date knowledge of current health agenda locally and nationally
• Sound knowledge of clinical governance and effective systems
• A leadership style which supports the development of positive relationships and effective team work

Desirable

• Experience of working in partnerships with other organisations to deliver services with a wide range of stakeholder working partnerships
• Clear commitment to delivering quality user focused services
• Demonstrates a drive and passion to deliver to a standard of excellence adopting a continuous learning approach
• Knowledge and/or experience of policy development at national level

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Trust headquarters, Prestwich

M25 3EQ

Employer's website: https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)