Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
13 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Knowledge
Sound knowledge of NHS policy, primary and urgent care landscape, and relevant regulatory frameworks
- Knowledge
Understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, and risk management principles
- Experience
Significant experience in a senior operational management role within a healthcare setting
- Experience
Proven track record of managing multidisciplinary teams
- Experience
Managing performance, including managing underperformance
- Experience
Degree in a relevant healthcare, management, or business discipline, or equivalent experience
- Other Requirements
Flexibility to work across sites and occasionally outside core hours as service needs require
- Other Requirements
Enhanced DBS check
- Skills and Abilities
Strong leadership and people management skills, able to motivate and develop teams
- Skills and Abilities
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to influence at all levels
- Skills and Abilities
Strong analytical skills, able to interpret data and performance information to drive decisions
- Skills and Abilities
Effective problem-solving and decision-making under pressure
- Skills and Abilities
Ability to manage competing priorities and work flexibly in a fast-paced environment
Desirable
Not listed in the available specification.
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.
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.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Service Manager with HUC in Welwyn Garden City, England. It is listed as a Service manager role. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 18 Sep 2026.
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