Service Manager(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

This is a senior operational leadership role within a specialist paediatric surgical service. The Service Manager will oversee the day-to-day performance, delivery, and development of cleft, craniofacial, and plastic surgery services — ensuring care pathways run efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on patient outcomes and staff wellbeing.

You’ll work at the heart of a fast-paced clinical environment, leading service improvement initiatives and supporting the wider directorate in delivering safe, responsive, and high-quality care for children and families.

Key Responsibilities

The Service Manager will:

• Lead operational delivery across surgical services
• Monitor performance against national access and waiting standards
• Drive service improvement and transformation programmes
• Manage staffing, workflow, and service capacity
• Oversee financial performance and cost-efficiency planning
• Support business case development and service redesign
• Build effective relationships with clinical, administrative, and executive teams
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and patient-centred care
• This role blends strategic oversight with hands-on operational leadership.

Who This Role Is Designed For

This opportunity suits an experienced NHS operational leader who:

• Thrives in high-pressure healthcare environments
• Enjoys solving complex service challenges
• Has strong people-management skills
• Can balance performance, finance, and patient priorities
• Wants to lead meaningful improvements in specialist paediatric care

Essential Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• Degree-level education or equivalent operational experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• NHS management experience at Band 7 level or above

Desirable:

• Postgraduate management or project qualification

Core Experience & Skills

• Leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams
• Delivering transformation or service redesign projects
• Budget and cost-improvement management
• Understanding national waiting time standards
• Business case contribution and operational planning
• Analytical and decision-making skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement
• Digital literacy with NHS systems

Workplace Culture

The organisation promotes an inclusive, values-driven environment where diversity strengthens care delivery. Staff networks and leadership engagement support collaboration, representation, and professional growth.

Professional & Legal Requirements

Because this role involves work with vulnerable children, appointment requires safeguarding clearance via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Helpful UK Government Resources

•  NHS workforce and healthcare policy overview
•  DBS safeguarding checks explained
•  Equality and diversity in employment
•  NHS waiting time standards overview
•  Skilled Worker visa guidance

Why Consider This Role

Senior leadership in a world-leading paediatric surgical service
Opportunity to drive operational transformation
Broad strategic and financial management exposure
High-impact patient-centred work
Stable permanent NHS leadership position