Operations Manager

NHS; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health service in the UK seeks an Operational Manager to lead mental health services. The ideal candidate will manage a team, innovate service development, and ensure quality adherence while fostering staff growth. Essential qualifications include a relevant professional qualification and management experience. This role offers a hybrid working model with benefits aimed at fostering career development.

Benefits

Fully funded Level 6 Chartered Manager apprenticeship

Flexible working model

Opportunity for career development

Qualifications

• Experience in local service needs assessment and resource allocation.
• Ability to monitor service quality and translate policy effectively.
• Leadership experience in service development and partnership working.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Practice Managers and lead quality improvement.
• Contribute to strategic planning and ensure person-centered services.
• Recruit, retain, and supervise staff while providing training.

Skills

Service development leadership

Effective budget management

Excellent verbal and written communication

Negotiation and influencing skills

Problem-solving under pressure

Education

Relevant professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Occupational Therapy)

Relevant management qualification or willingness to complete a Chartered Manager Level 6 apprenticeship

Job description

Job Summary

Are you ready to lead meaningful change and help shape a modern, creative approach to social care? Be part of shaping the future of Mental Health Social Care in East Sussex.

We're not looking for an ordinary Operational Manager. We want a leader excited about supporting a workforce to grow, thrive, and innovate, while making a real difference in residents’ lives.

What’s in it for you?

• Play a pivotal role in shaping change – lead and influence service developments that directly impact the lives of adults with mental health needs.
• Grow your career – we support your ongoing development, including access to a fully funded Level 6 Chartered Manager apprenticeship (if not already qualified).
• Flexible, modern working – our hybrid model requires office work only one day a week (or more).
• Your ideas are welcomed – your leadership will help shape a service that truly supports people to live the life they want.

Main Duties

You will manage a team of Practice Managers, lead quality improvement and drive innovation across mental health services. Working with the Head of Service, you will lead service development, contribute to strategic planning and ensure services remain person‑centred, sustainable and fit for future challenges.

Responsibilities

• Deliver services to people in your designated area in accordance with statutory requirements, council policies, procedures and quality standards.
• Manage budgetary performance of the designated service unit.
• Lead performance management, setting and monitoring targets and developing improvement plans.
• Recruit, retain and supervise staff, providing training and supervision.
• Contribute to policy and procedure development.
• Administer complaints procedures and investigate claims.
• Brief Decision Making Team on issues needing resolution and highlight service achievements.
• Implement the Performance Development Scheme across the service and achieve annual targets.
• Provide management support for out‑of‑hours services and participate on rota as required.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Relevant professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Occupational Therapy) and/or
• Relevant management qualification or willingness to complete a Chartered Manager Level 6 apprenticeship (funded by the Council).

Experience

Essential:

• Local service needs assessment and resource allocation.
• Service quality monitoring and policy translation.
• Service development leadership and partnership working.
• Effective budget management and leadership.
• Legislative interpretation in complex cases.
• Political awareness.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Report writing and presenting skills.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Problem‑solving and decision‑making under pressure.
• Staff supervision and team motivation.
• Chairing meetings and planning for change.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and anti‑discriminatory practice.
• Evidence of practice in mental health.

Desirable:

• Experience as an AMHP.

Benefits

For information about our diverse range of benefits please visit the Employee benefits page.

Application Process

To apply please click on the supporting link ‘Apply for this vacancy via ESCC website’ and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will use your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please address how you meet all the criteria in the specification.

Interviews will take place week commencing 10 November in person at County Hall in Lewes.