Service Manager - Paediatric Critical Care & Surgery | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Manchester is seeking a Service Manager responsible for operational management of patient services. The role involves supporting performance targets, collaborating with healthcare leaders, and leading improvement initiatives. Candidates should have experience in healthcare operational management and strong leadership skills. This position offers opportunities within a large and diverse organization committed to serving the community.

Qualifications

• Experience in operational management within healthcare.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence.
• Understanding of key performance indicators and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Support operational management for a patient service.
• Collaborate on strategic objectives with leadership.
• Lead key programmes on productivity and quality initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to budget and service specifications.

Skills

Operational management

Strategic direction

Leadership

Budget management

Job description

Overview

The Service Manager provides support to the Clinical Service triumvirate and is responsible for the operational management of a discrete patient service within the Clinical Service. The post holder supports the delivery of all operational performance targets, including access targets, delivery of financial balance, trading gap plans, and the quality of services to patients while improving services towards best practice standards within available income. The post holder will contribute to the strategic direction agreed through the Clinical Service triumvirate, in conjunction with the Clinical Leads and Matrons, and will work closely with the General Manager, Clinical Director, Lead Nurse and Clinical Group Directors/Other Clinical Service leadership teams to achieve MFT/Clinical Group objectives and to deliver health services across the local health community and relevant networks. The post holder will also be responsible for leading and delivering success across a number of key programmes within the Clinical Service, encompassing topics such as productivity and efficiency, quality, workforce and clinical effectiveness. On-call requirements will be confirmed within Clinical Groups to align with the agreed Operating Model.

Responsibilities

• Support the operational management of a discrete patient service within the Clinical Service and delivery of all operational performance targets (including access targets, financial balance, trading gap plans, and service quality).
• Support the strategic direction agreed through the Clinical Service triumvirate, in conjunction with Clinical Leads and Matrons, and collaborate with the General Manager, Clinical Director, Lead Nurse and Clinical Group Directors/Other Clinical Service leadership teams to achieve objectives.
• Lead and deliver success across key programmes within the Clinical Service, covering productivity and efficiency, quality, workforce and clinical effectiveness.
• Ensure services are delivered in line with the Operating Model, with on-call requirements confirmed within Clinical Groups.
• Support the General Manager in ensuring that Trust and National Key Performance Indicators are met by developing and maintaining robust management processes within the service area.
• Support the General Manager in turning long-term objectives of the Clinical Service into effective, affordable and achievable action plans for service development.
• Provide a cost-effective, high-quality service via the relevant managers, and support the Clinical Director in being accountable for the services delivered by jobholders who give direct care.
• Support the Clinical Director in ensuring services are delivered within budget and to agreed specifications, acting as a resource and support to managers undertaking delegated roles.
• Develop and deliver an annual service plan involving a broad range of complex activities, some ongoing, as agreed by the Clinical Director.
• Utilise and promote the use of all relevant information in making operational decisions and in the formulation and implementation of service plans.

About the organisation

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn and is creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services each year. Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working and transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate, offering opportunities at scale. We have created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness and innovation through Hive, our Electronic Patient Record system launched in September 2022. We are a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, with a robust infrastructure to support high-quality research programmes, and we are progressing with our Green Plan to make healthcare more sustainable.

Diversity and inclusion

At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together. Diversity Matters: MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating discrimination. All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [e-mail].

Application information

This advert closes on Wednesday 1 Oct 2025