Operational Manager

NHS; Helston; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider is seeking an Operational Manager for the Health and Justice Service, located in Helston, UK. This full-time position involves strategic and operational control of integrated mental health services in various secure environments. Key responsibilities include overseeing service quality and fostering teamwork while ensuring compliance with strategic objectives. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience in mental health care and relevant professional qualifications.

Benefits

Pay enhancements for evenings and weekends

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent pension

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Wellbeing programme

Blue Light Card Discounts

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a core professional qualification in mental health.
• Evidence of professional registration is required.
• Education at a first-degree level or equivalent skills is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day and financial operations of mental health services.
• Ensure high standards of care, safety, and service delivery.
• Act as deputy to the Service Manager when required.

Skills

Strong personal integrity

Effective communication

Leadership skills

Knowledge of mental health legislation

Ability to manage change

Supervisory skills

Budget management

Education

Relevant core professional qualification in mental health

First degree or equivalent skills

Job description

Job summary

An exciting secondment opportunity has arisen for the position of Operational Manager within the Health and Justice Service. This role will involve strategic and operational oversight of a Cat C and Cat D male prison's integrated mental health service, ensuring high standards of care, safety, and service delivery.

The Health and Justice Service encompasses a diverse range of secure care environments, including:

• HMP Risley
• HMP Thorn Cross
• HMP Manchester
• HMP Styal
• HMP Buckley Hall
• HMP Forest Bank
• OPD service
• Liason and diversion
• Approved Premises

This position offers a unique chance to contribute to the development and continuous improvement of Health and Justice services, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to support recovery-focused care and rehabilitation.

Main duties of the job

The Operational Manager will lead the day‑to‑day and financial operations of a designated area within the Health and Justice Services. This leadership role is central to ensuring that services run efficiently, safely, and in alignment with strategic goals.

The post holder will maintain a strong and visible presence across the service, engaging actively with both staff and service users. As a role model and advocate for recovery and positive change, they will foster a culture of continuous improvement and person‑centred care.

A key responsibility will be to uphold and enhance the quality of care delivered within their area, achieved through the implementation and monitoring of performance standards, and by supporting the ongoing development of the workforce.

Working in close partnership with clinical colleagues, the Operational Manager will ensure that all care and interventions are responsive to the needs of service users and contribute meaningfully to their recovery journey.

In addition, the post holder will act as deputy to the Service Manager, providing leadership cover when required, and will report to the Head of Operations as necessary.

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 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.

Details

Date posted: 05 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Secondment

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 437-7600088

Job locations: HMP Risley and Thorn Cross, Warrington Road, Risley, Croft, WA36BP

Job responsibilities (see attached detailed job description and person specification)

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8 pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 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.

Person Specification – Qualifications

• Relevant core professional qualification in mental health (e.g., registered nurse, clinical psychologist, social worker) plus evidence of continued professional development.
• Evidence of professional registration.
• Educated to first degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent skills and abilities at this level.

Desirable

• Experience in both health and social care, practising professionally in a mental/physical health environment.
• Experience of working closely with service users and advocacy schemes.

Skills and Knowledge – Essential

• Highly motivated individual with strong personal integrity.
• Ability to communicate with staff at all levels and with colleagues within and external to the organisation.
• Demonstrates a leadership style which supports the development of positive relationships and effective teamwork.
• Knowledge of legislation, statutory and good practice guidance relating to mental health (including the National Service Frameworks, NICE guidelines, the Mental Health Act, the Care Programme Approach and the Mental Capacity Act).
• Ability to provide leadership and management skills to an integrated multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and monitor own and others' workload.
• Supervisory skills including staff appraisal and supervision.
• Ability to contribute to staff training and development.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with service users, carers, other agencies and professionals.
• Ability to involve service users and carers in service delivery, service evaluation and service development.
• Ability to manage change and contribute to the development of services.
• Ability to contribute to the development of service policies and strategies.
• Ability to ensure and oversee effective budget management.
• Understanding of all Trust policies and procedures, strategic goals and safeguarding requirements, and commitment to equal opportunities, equality, diversity and dignity in care policies.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address: HMP Risley and Thorn Cross, Warrington Road, Risley, Croft, WA36BP

Website: https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/