Operations Manager

Ambit Recruitment South Africa; Wes-Kaap; In loco; ZAR 600.000 - 1.000.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Ambit Recruitment South Africa is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day operations and people management across two or more specialist medical practices in the Cape Town area. The role requires travel between locations, strong leadership and customer-service excellence.

Previous healthcare experience is not required; transferable management skills from hospitality or service-driven environments are valued.

Competenze

• At least 5 years' experience in an operational management role with leadership responsibility.
• Proven track record in leading teams, performance management and conflict resolution.
• Experience in hospitality or service-driven environments is preferred.
• Experience in smaller dynamic environments over highly structured corporate settings.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for engaging with all levels.
• Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation abilities across locations.
• Ability to handle difficult people and situations calmly and professionally.
• Willingness to travel within the Cape Town area and have reliable transport.

Mansioni

• Lead and develop teams across practices, creating a collaborative environment.
• Manage staffing, rosters, leave and operational cover on a day-to-day basis.
• Set performance expectations and conduct regular performance conversations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and staff development.
• Handle workplace conflict professionally and maintain a positive culture.
• Ensure high standards of patient service and professional conduct.
• Oversee scheduling, workflow coordination and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate facilities and equipment maintenance with support teams.
• Build relationships with medical professionals, admin teams and patients.
• Communicate decisions clearly and ensure adherence to procedures.

Conoscenze

Team leadership

People development

Customer service

Conflict resolution

Operations management

Communication

Formazione

Bachelor's degree (relevant field)

Strumenti

Business systems

Descrizione del lavoro

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on, health-conscious Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations and people management of multiple specialist practices.

We are particularly interested in candidates from the hospitality industry, or similar fast-paced, customer-facing environments where exceptional service, effective people management and the ability to work under pressure are essential.

You will be responsible for two primary practices, spending approximately two days per week at each location, with the fifth day potentially allocated to a third practice. You must therefore be prepared to travel within the Cape Town area.

This is a people-focused leadership role requiring someone who can confidently manage diverse teams, maintain high operational standards and build positive working relationships with both patients and medical professionals.

Previous healthcare experience is not required. We are looking for someone with strong transferable management skills who is willing and able to learn the operational requirements of a healthcare environment.

Experience & Skills Required

• At least 5 years' experience in an operational management role, with substantial responsibility for managing and developing teams.
• A proven track record of leading people, managing performance, resolving conflict and maintaining high standards.
• Ideally, experience in hospitality or a similarly demanding, service-driven environment.
• Experience working in a smaller, dynamic environment rather than a highly structured corporate organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to engage professionally with people at all levels.
• Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities, including managing competing priorities across multiple locations.
• The ability to handle difficult customers, challenging personalities and sensitive situations calmly and professionally.
• Comfortable using business systems and technology, and adapting to new processes.
• Prepared to travel to practices on designated days
• A valid driver's licence and own reliable transport.

Training will be provided in practice-specific systems and procedures. Previous experience in treatment coordination, medical billing or bookkeeping is not required.

Management Style & Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who:

• Is firm but fair - confident in setting expectations and holding people accountable without being authoritarian or confrontational.
• Is comfortable having difficult conversations and speaking up respectfully, including when dealing with senior professionals.
• Leads with empathy and emotional intelligence, without avoiding difficult decisions.
• Remains calm, practical and decisive under pressure.
• Is adaptable, resourceful and comfortable with change in a growing, evolving business.
• Takes ownership, follows through on commitments and addresses problems before they escape.
• Is approachable, a good listener and able to build trust and respect across diverse teams.
• Recognises good performance, gives constructive feedback and encourages professional development.

Key Responsibilities

1. People Management & Team Development

• Lead, motivate and support teams across the practices, creating a positive, accountable and collaborative working environment.
• Manage day-to-day staffing requirements, including rosters, leave, attendance and operational cover.
• Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance discussions and address underperformance promptly and fairly.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing employee development.
• Manage workplace conflict and interpersonal challenges professionally and constructively.
• Encourage recognition, teamwork, open communication and a culture of mutual respect.

2. Practice Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee the smooth and efficient day-to-day running of the practices.
• Ensure effective scheduling, workflow coordination and appropriate staffing to support efficient operations.
• Maintain consistently high standards of patient service and professional conduct.
• Handle escalated patient concerns and difficult situations with discretion, empathy and confidence.
• Identify operational problems, implement practical improvements and ensure agreed procedures are followed.
• Coordinate facilities, equipment maintenance and general operational requirements with the relevant support teams.

3. Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Build productive working relationships with medical professionals, administrative teams, patients and support functions.
• Act as a key point of contact for operational matters across the practices.
• Address concerns and resolve disagreements respectfully while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ensure information, decisions and operational changes are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Balance the needs of different stakeholders while maintaining operational standards and accountability.
• Support the implementation and adoption of operational systems and processes.
• Identify inefficiencies and work with the relevant teams to improve workflows and service delivery.
• Assist employees in adapting to new systems, procedures and ways of working.
• Monitor operational performance, identify areas requiring attention and follow through on corrective actions.
• Work collaboratively with central support teams on administrative, financial and compliance matters as required.

OUR VALUES

1. Do what you say, and say what you do.

If you commit to a date, it happens, or you flag it early. Your word is the operating system of this role.

2. We treat all people with equal openness and respect.

Reception, nursing, hygiene, clinical, patients, suppliers. Everyone, every day, regardless of role or background.

3. We seek different opinions and resolve differences through thoughtful dialogue.

The clinicians here work differently from one another. That is a strength to design around, not a problem to standardise away. You will hold real conversations rather than avoid them.

4. We believe in giving feedback promptly and receiving it gratefully.

You will give feedback early and kindly, and you will take it the same way. No defensiveness, no storing things up.

5. We are obsessed about our practices and their patients, and care about understanding and responding to their concerns.

When a patient or a team member raises something, you listen properly, you act, and you close the loop.

6. We care deeply about our people and create an environment where we expect them to take ownership and perform extraordinarily.

This is the core of the job. You build the environment. The team already performs extraordinarily. Your work is to make sure they feel it, own it, and keep growing.

7. We operate at the highest ethical and professional standards at all times.

No shortcuts, no grey areas, no exceptions when it would be convenient.

Live these and the rest of this document takes care of itself.