General Service Manager

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for substantive recruitment to the post of General Service Manager within the Division of Medicine, based at Aintree University Hospital.

There is one full-time (1.0 WTE) post available within the following Care Group:

• Acute & Emergency Medicine

The post holder will be an integral member of the Care Group Management Team, working closely with clinical and operational leaders to support the delivery of specialty-specific operational and strategic objectives. The role will contribute directly to the achievement of the Division’s wider priorities, performance standards, and improvement programmes.

The successful candidate will provide operational leadership, performance management, and service delivery oversight, supporting safe, effective, and sustainable services within a complex and high-pressure acute environment.

Main duties of the job

The General Service Manager will be accountable for:

• Supporting the delivery of service strategies, taking operational responsibility for delegated programmes of work.
• Providing operational leadership for the delivery of services, ensuring systems and processes are in place to support safe, and efficient patient care.
• Leading and line managing  administrative teams as appropriate, promoting high performance, staff engagement, and development.
• Overseeing delegated budgets, ensuring effective financial control, and compliance with governance arrangements.
• Support operational performance improvement, including delivery of key performance indicators.
• Contributing to the development, review, and implementation of local policies, procedures, and operational frameworks.
• Working closely with the Head of Operations, Clinical Director(s), Nursing/AHP leadership, and wider Care Group colleagues to support service planning, transformation, and delivery.
• Supporting business planning, service improvement, and change programmes, ensuring plans are underpinned by robust data, quality considerations, and affordability.
• Deputising for the Head of Operations as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The General Service Manager is a senior operational leader within the Care Group and an integral member of the Care Group Management Team. Reporting to the Head of Operations, the post holder will support the delivery of specialty-specific strategies and contribute to the achievement of Divisional and Trust objectives.

Operational Leadership and Service Delivery

• Take operational responsibility for delegated programmes of work, ensuring services are delivered safely, effectively, and in line with agreed objectives, quality standards, and resource constraints.
• Lead the operational delivery of clinical and administrative services, ensuring systems and processes support patient flow, access standards, and high-quality care.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational performance, planning and implementing service changes that enhance patient outcomes and service efficiency.
• Act as a visible and accessible leader within the service, providing day-to-day operational oversight and assurance.

Performance Management and Planning

• Monitor and manage service performance against local and national targets, including access, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Analyse complex operational and performance data to identify risks, pressures, and opportunities, proposing and implementing solutions in collaboration with clinical and operational colleagues.
• Support the development and delivery of business and workforce plans, ensuring alignment with Care Group priorities and financial controls.

Financial Management

• Oversee delegated revenue budgets within the service, ensuring effective financial management, cost control, and value for money.
• Monitor expenditure against budget and take corrective action where variances arise, working closely with the Head of Operations and finance colleagues.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of business cases and service improvement plans, balancing quality, performance, and affordability.

Leadership and People Management

• Provide line management to Band 7 and below staff within the service, including administrative and clinical teams as appropriate.
• Promote a values-led, inclusive, and supportive culture, ensuring staff are engaged, developed, and managed in line with Trust policies.
• Ensure compliance with appraisal, mandatory training, workforce governance, and people management requirements.
• Support the development of operational managers and team leaders, building capability and resilience within the service.

Governance, Quality, and Risk

• Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of local policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Support effective risk management, incident review, and complaint handling within the service, ensuring learning is embedded and actions are delivered.
• Provide assurance to the Care Group leadership team through reports, briefings, and presentations to internal governance forums.

Partnership Working and Deputising

• Work collaboratively with clinical leaders, nursing/AHP leadership, corporate teams, and external partners to deliver service objectives.
• Maintain effective communication links between specialties and Care Group leadership.
• Deputise for the Head of Operations as required.

Further details are provided in the attached Job Description.