Service Manager – NHS Talking Therapies

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust; Oldham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Continued Professional Development

Staff wellbeing service

Job summary

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Service Manager for NHS Talking Therapies to lead operational delivery, governance and workforce across adults' services. You will work with ICB, commissioners and system partners to meet national standards and local priorities.

The role focuses on access, waiting times, outcomes and patient experience, with accountability for budgets, performance data and service development.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in health, social care, management or related field.
• Significant operational management experience in NHS or similar healthcare setting.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing performance targets.
• Knowledge of NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) models and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of NHS Talking Therapies services, ensuring delivery against access and waiting time targets.
• Provide visible leadership to multidisciplinary teams and ensure clear accountability.
• Develop and maintain relationships with ICBs, commissioners and system partners.
• Ensure robust clinical governance, risk management and data quality.
• Manage budgets, resources and drive efficiency plans.
• Promote a just culture and professional standards across the Trust.

Skills

Operational leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Performance management

Data interpretation

Education

Degree or equivalent in health, social care, management or related field

Tools

NHS systems (PC-MIS/PARIS)

Job description

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If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our#PennineCarePeople

This is a senior operational leadership role within NHS Talking Therapies at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. The Service Manager will take a central role in the coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality psychological therapy services for adults across the borough.

Working closely with the Trust-wide Operational and Clinical Lead, and local system partners, the post holder will lead service performance, governance, and workforce delivery. The role requires strong partnership working with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), commissioners, and key stakeholders to ensure the service meets national NHS Talking Therapies standards, local priorities, and performance targets.

They will ensure services are safe, effective, and responsive, with a clear focus on access, waiting times, recovery outcomes, and patient experience.

The post holder will contribute to strategic planning and service development across the Trust, leading improvement and transformation initiatives. They will ensure robust clinical governance processes are in place, including risk management, incident investigation, audit, and compliance with information governance and data protection standards.

This role requires a visible and supportive leader who can work in a complex and changing environment, manage competing priorities, and build strong working relationships across services and partner organisations.

Main duties of the job

Lead the operational management of an NHS Talking Therapies service, ensuring delivery against national and local performance standards

Work closely with the Trustwide Operational and Clinical Lead and senior leadership teams to deliver service objectives and improvement plans

Maintain strong relationships with the ICB and system partners, providing regular performance and service updates

Ensure high standards of clinical governance, patient safety, and quality of care

Manage workforce performance, recruitment, and staff development across the service

Oversee budgets and resources, ensuring effective and efficient use of funding

Lead service development, change programmes, and transformation work aligned to Trust strategy

Promote a positive, open, and inclusive culture that reflects PCFT values and a “just culture” approach

Working for our organisation

We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
• Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
• Access to Continued Professional Development
• Involvement in improvement and research activities
• Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
• Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Service Manager will provide operational leadership for NHS Talking Therapies services, ensuring delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care in line with national standards and local priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of NHS Talking Therapies services, ensuring delivery against access, waiting time and recovery targets
• Provide visible leadership to multidisciplinary teams, including Team Managers, Clinical Leads and data staff, ensuring clear accountability and performance oversight
• Work closely with the Trustwide Operational and Clinical Lead to plan, deliver and monitor service performance, identifying risks and leading corrective action where required
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), commissioners, primary care and wider system partners, providing regular and accurate performance updates
• Ensure robust clinical governance arrangements are in place, including risk management, incident investigation, complaints handling, audit and compliance with Trust policies and information governance standards
• Lead service improvement and transformation programmes, supporting the development of new pathways and models of care in line with Trust and Greater Manchester priorities
• Manage designated budgets and resources, ensuring effective use of funding, identification of cost pressures and delivery of efficiency plans
• Oversee workforce management, including recruitment, retention, supervision, appraisal and staff development, ensuring a skilled and compliant workforce
• Promote a positive and inclusive culture, embedding a “just culture” approach and maintaining high standards of professionalism, accountability and compassion
• Analyse and interpret service data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement in patient outcomes and experience
• Ensure compliance with NHS Talking Therapies clinical models, outcome measurement standards and national guidance
• Contribute to borough and Trust-wide strategic planning, business planning and service development
• Represent NHS Talking Therapies at local and system forums, contributing to wider mental health service development

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both
documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Qualifications and Training

• Degree or equivalent experience in health, social care, management or related field
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)

Experience

• Significant experience in operational management within NHS or similar healthcare setting
• Experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of delivering against performance targets (e.g. access, waiting times, outcomes)
• Experience of financial and budget management
• Experience of workforce management (recruitment, appraisal, supervision, HR processes)
• Experience of working with external stakeholders (e.g. ICB, commissioners, primary care)
• Experience in NHS Talking Therapies / IAPT services
• Experience of leading service improvement or transformation programmes

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) model and national guidance
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, risk management, and quality standards
• Ability to analyse and interpret performance and activity data
• Financial awareness and ability to manage resources effectively
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including presenting complex information
• Ability to build effective partnerships across services and organisations
• Knowledge of NHS systems (e.g. PC-MIS, PARIS or equivalent)
• Understanding of CQC standards and regulatory requirements

Leadership and Special Attributes

• Proven leadership skills with ability to motivate and manage teams effectively
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex and changing environment
• Demonstrates professionalism, accountability and integrity
• Ability to lead change and support service development
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Promotes a positive and open culture aligned to a “just culture” approach

Additional Requirements

• Ability to participate in operational rotas
• Willingness to travel across localities as required

Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

We are aware of the increase in AI being used for job applications. AI can be a useful tool to assist in writing your application, but these tools may not understand the context or requirements of the job you are applying for and using for all your application will not be a true reflection of your skills and experience. Relying on AI for your whole application can negatively impact on your chances of success throughout the recruitment process as you will be asked to provide evidence to support what you have written. Take the time to proofread your application to ensure you can evidence what you have submitted, whether this is by your experience or certificates.

We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the jobs events page on our website.

Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.

After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.

If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email.

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

Once Checks Are Complete - The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.

Pennine Care is committed to the ‘Pledge to Flex’ initiative as flexible working is a day one right for all colleagues. “We can work flexibly, doing whatever work pattern fits our needs, regardless of the type of role we’re in. As a modern and model employer, flexible and less than full-time working isn’t a barrier to progress in the NHS – it is commonplace”. This policy brings this part of the People Promise to life. It will provide you with the information you need, support you to have conversations and take steps towards working in a way that suits you best.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.

If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.

Please note: We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Chinonyerem Ibekwe Job title NHSTT Trustwide Operational and Clinical Lead Email address [e-mail]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone [phone]