Service Manager | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional university hospital in Milton Keynes is seeking a Service Manager for the Emergency Department. This role involves daily operational management, supporting service improvements, and ensuring performance targets are met. The ideal candidate will have relevant NHS management experience and strong communication skills. This is an opportunity to play a crucial role in enhancing patient care in a fast-paced environment. The hospital is committed to advancing care and expanding its facilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in operational management within a healthcare setting is essential.
• Strong ability to monitor and analyze performance metrics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the Emergency Department to improve patient experience.
• Lead service improvement and cost-saving initiatives.
• Ensure performance targets are met across the division.

Skills

Operational management

Performance monitoring

Communication skills

Staff management

Education

NHS management experience

Relevant healthcare qualifications

Job description

Service Manager – Emergency Department

Department: Emergency Department, Medicine Division

Band: 7, £46,148 - £52,809 per annum, pro rata if part time

Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week. All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.

Are you looking for a rewarding job in a supportive, fast‑paced environment with the opportunity to directly improve patient experience? This may be the post for you.

Applications are invited for either the post of Service Manager working within Acute Medicine or the post of Service Manager working within the Emergency Department at Milton Keynes Hospital.

Both of these roles offer an exciting and very fulfilling challenge and development opportunity for those looking to take the next step in their career. You will be part of a respected team of Service Managers and Operational Managers for the Medicine Directorate and provide pivotal support for the running of the Acute Medicine department or the Emergency Department daily.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Interview date: 12 January 2025

We care. We communicate. We collaborate. We contribute.

“- NHS Survey, 2024” They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%.

The post is responsible for the day‑to‑day operational management and the effective and efficient delivery of delegated services as directed by Operational Managers for Acute and ED. Working with the Operational Managers, they will ensure these services meet their performance and financial objectives.

They will also lead on specific service improvements / cost saving projects with the Division as directed by the Operational Managers and deputise for senior management as and when required.

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career. As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities. We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Service Delivery, Service Improvement, Excellent Outcomes for Patients

• Support the operational managers in developing service development plans to align national direction / strategies and local priorities.
• To work as part of a CSU and be involved in improvement initiatives.
• To facilitate transformation across Acute and Emergency Medicine in relation to non-elective activity, planning, and taking action to ensure that services are fit for purpose, and have the capacity and capability to deliver future and current demands and standards.

Performance Management

• Monitor and manage the performance within the service / Division [including RTT reports, waiting lists, discharge summary completion, outpatient new to follow up ratios, diagnostic treatment status, length of stay, Stroke/TIA, SDEC and ED dashboards, ECDS, ED breach analysis, and ED board‑round proforma. Ensure data validation is completed to achieve required national and local RTT targets and milestones.
• Work across the Division to ensure that the Trust access standards are consistently met for all patients.

Communication

• Communicate clearly and effectively with staff to ensure they are kept up to date with relevant information regarding divisional business plans and operational requirements.
• Develop effective communication channels within and across the specialities, including chairing meetings, formal presentations, and team briefs.
• Provide information regarding performance in a supportive manner which encourages collaborative working to deliver against targets to administrative staff.

Staff Management

• To manage administration and support staff employed within service / Division, namely the division Rota coordinators.
• Manage timely and effective recruitment and retention of staff. As directed by the Operational Manager for the CSU.

Business Planning and Management

• Support plans for the development of services as required and as directed by the CSU Lead and Operational Manager.
• Analysing and interpreting complex data to deliver well‑presented information.
• Regularly monitor demand and activity within area of responsibility.
• To plan, organise and arrange activities to link with the overall directorate strategy.

Financial Budgetary Management

• Regular review and monitoring of delegated budgets and investigating and escalating variances.
• Support clinical directors and matrons in managing within their establishment and ensure that bank and agency spend is by exception.
• Ensure that all changes to establishment, replacement of positions, and cover are properly documented and presented in a justification case which identifies risk, cost implications and income implications.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

This advert closes on Wednesday 24 Dec 2025