Job summary
- Main area
- Management
- Grade
- Non NHS Banding
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Home or remote working
- Job ref
- 4265-8246480
- Employer
- HUC
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- HUC HQ, Ascots Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4HL
- Town
- Welwyn Garden City
- Closing
- 18/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Service Manager
Non NHS Banding
Job overview
The Primary and Urgent Care Senior Service Manager (SSM) will be responsible for both leading the delivery of services within the HUC Primary and Urgent Care portfolio.
The SSM will provide senior operational and strategic leadership across primary and urgent care services, deputising for the Head of Service in their absence and acting as a key decision-maker in the day-to-day and longer-term running of the service.
The postholder will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care that meets national standards, regulatory requirements, and local commissioning intentions. They will work closely with clinical leads, commissioners, and partner organisations to drive service improvement, manage performance and finances, and lead a multidisciplinary workforce through change and growth.
This role combines hands-on operational management with strategic input into service design, ensuring the service remains responsive, resilient, and continuously improving in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
Main duties of the job
- Line manage Assistant Service Managers ensuring effective supervision, appraisal, and professional development.
- Lead in disciplinary, grievance, and performance management processes as needed.
- Ensure day-to-day operational delivery of primary and urgent care services against contractual and quality standards.
- To identify and address areas of poor performance, ensuring recovery plans are drafted
- Ensure compliance with CQC standards and lead on inspection readiness
- Support budget management for the service area, identifying efficiencies and managing variances
- Contribute to the strategic development of primary and urgent care services in line with local and national policy direction (e.g. Integrated Care System priorities).
- Lead recruitment, retention, and workforce development initiatives to maintain a skilled and motivated workforce.
Working for our organisation
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the role and person specification, please refer to the supporting documents attached to this advert.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience in a senior operational management role within a healthcare setting
- Proven track record of managing multidisciplinary teams
- Managing performance, including managing underperformance
- Degree in a relevant healthcare, management, or business discipline, or equivalent experience
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Sound knowledge of NHS policy, primary and urgent care landscape, and relevant regulatory frameworks
- Understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, and risk management principles
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Strong leadership and people management skills, able to motivate and develop teams
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to influence at all levels
- Strong analytical skills, able to interpret data and performance information to drive decisions
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making under pressure
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly in a fast-paced environment
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
- Flexibility to work across sites and occasionally outside core hours as service needs require
- Enhanced DBS check
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah-Jane Newbigging
- Job title
- People Operations Advisor
- Email address
- [email protected]
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