Service Manager

NHS Ayrshire & Arran; Scotland (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Hospital in Scotland is seeking a Service Manager for a new role that drives safe, effective service delivery. You will align clinical service development with strategic plans and oversee governance standards while leading front-line delivery.

The role requires extensive management experience, master’s level education, and strong leadership to build high-performance teams across clinical subspecialties. Informal discussion and application details are provided by NHS Scotland.

Qualifications

• Public service background in care delivery.
• Extensive management experience with a proven track record in the successful management of staff and other resources.
• Educated to/working towards/operating at master’s degree level or equivalent*.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to support effective negotiation, influencing, involvement and encouragement.
• Strategic and operational management capabilities.
• Sound analytical information management/technological/financial management skills.
• Proven track record of partnership and collaborative working internal and external to the organisation.
• Understanding and experience of Organisational Development and the creation of effective, high-performance teams.
• Ability to compose clear, accurate and relevant reports.

Responsibilities

• Strategically, the Purpose Of The Role Is To: align the development of the clinical services with the organisation’s strategic delivery plan and intended strategic clinical direction.
• Ensure that services are operating within the standards and frameworks associated to clinical, financial and staff governance, and all other associated legislative requirements.
• Provide oversight, grip and assurance on the delivery of front-line services.
• Operationally, The Purpose Of The Role Is To: take accountability for the operational delivery and smooth-running of designated clinical services.
• Through enablement, leadership and management the Service Leadership Team.
• Provide visible and approachable management and leadership presence to each clinical subspecialty area.
• Build leadership confidence within each clinical subspecialty team.
• Problem-solve local service operational issues.
• Develop target operating models for each clinical subspecialty.
• Create an effective internal communications model for each subspecialty team.

Skills

Public service background

Management experience

Leadership

Strategic management

Analytical skills

Report writing

Collaboration

Organisational development

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Job description

AfC Band 8b (pro rata) plus a High Secure Environmental Allowance of £1,818.72 per annum

Hours - 36

Contract Duration – Permanent

Post Details

The Service Manager is a new role to The State Hospital, Carstairs.

Strategically, The Purpose Of The Role Is To

• solutionize the aspirations of service leadership teams into a safe and effective service delivery model, locally owned and empowered.
• align the development of the clinical services with the organisation’s strategic delivery plan and intended strategic clinical direction.
• ensure that services are operating within the standards and frameworks associated to clinical, financial and staff governance, and all other associated legislative requirements.
• provide oversight, grip and assurance on the delivery of front-line services.

Operationally, The Purpose Of The Role Is To

• take accountability for the operational delivery and smooth-running of designated clinical services.
• through enablement, leadership and management the Service Leadership Team.
• provide visible and approachable management and leadership presence to each clinical subspecialty area.
• build leadership confidence within each clinical subspecialty team.
• Problem-solve local service operational issues.
• develop target operating models for each clinical subspecialty.
• create an effective internal communications model for each subspecialty team.

Experience

• Public service background in care delivery.
• Extensive management experience with a proven track record in the successful management of staff and other resources.
• Educated to/working towards/operating at master’s degree level or equivalent*.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to support effective negotiation, influencing, involvement and encouragement.
• Strategic and operational management capabilities.
• Sound analytical information management/technological/financial management skills.
• Proven track record of partnership and collaborative working internal and external to the organisation.
• Understanding and experience of Organisational Development and the creation of effective, high-performance teams.
• Ability to compose clear, accurate and relevant reports.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 13 September 2026. For an informal discussion please contact Karen McCaffrey on [e-mail].

If you have any queries or require assistance regarding the application form or recruitment process, please contact the HR Team on [e-mail] to discuss your requirements.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society. It should be noted that the State Hospital is a high secure hospital and the current organisational position based on a risk assessment is that we welcome applications from people under the age of 18 for non clinical roles however to be eligible for a clinical role applicants should be 18 years and older. Should you have any questions in relation to this please contact [e-mail]

The State Hospital has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any Worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is without exception granted by UK Visas and Immigrations. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category. The State Hospital does not hold a sponsorship license therefore will be unable to sponsor candidates for skilled worker visas. Candidates who require a Certificate of Sponsorship can access further information at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk. Skilled worker Visa and all current immigration rules are available at www.gov.uk