Closing date: 20 July 2026

Job summary
Our Community Recovery Team will provide high quality assessment and treatment of people with mental health problems, in conjunction with service users, carers, Peer Support Workers, Local GPs, social care colleagues and voluntary organisations. The Operational Lead will oversee the implementation of the NHS long term plan in the form of community transformation to enhance and increase multidisciplinary working through the delivery of regular and structured liaison, bringing primary and secondary mental health services closer together.

Main duties of the job
The Operational Lead will provide operational leadership to the Community Recovery Team and have continuing responsibility for the development and delivery of a consistent, high-quality service, in conjunction with the Service Delivery Manager and the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will be required to provide clinical supervision to senior staff within the Community Recovery Team.

About us
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

Details
Date posted: 06 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: NDD-001381
Job locations: Jane Atkinson Centre, Waltham Forest, London, E17 3HP

Job description
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
We are seeking an experienced and motivated professional to join our team as a Band 8a Operational Manager at the Jane Atkinson Centre. This permanent role offers a salary within Band 8a (£57,528 - £64,750) and is based on a full-time schedule of 37.5 hours per week. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the impactful work of the North East London NHS Foundation Trust, where your leadership and expertise will make a meaningful difference to the quality of care we provide.

About North East London NHS Foundation Trust
North East London NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to delivering high-quality and compassionate care to the diverse communities we serve. With a strong focus on inclusion, collaboration, and innovation, we are committed to creating a supportive and equitable environment for both our staff and the people who rely on our services. Our organisation values teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement, and we strive to ensure that everyone feels respected and empowered to contribute to our shared mission of improving lives.

The Role
As a Band 8a Operational Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving performance and governance within the organisation. You will lead a dedicated team, ensuring that high standards of care and service delivery are maintained while fostering a culture of partnership and collaboration. This role requires strong clinical decision-making skills, effective communication, and the ability to manage competing priorities with confidence and efficiency.

• Lead and support workforce teams to ensure effective service delivery and high-quality patient care.
• Oversee performance and governance frameworks, ensuring key performance indicators are met and exceeded.
• Facilitate team development through prioritisation, delegation, and conflict resolution, fostering a positive and inclusive working environment.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Proven expertise in finance management and budgetary oversight.
• Demonstrated experience in performance monitoring and governance processes.
• Strong leadership abilities, including workforce management, prioritisation, and delegation skills.
• Proficiency in conflict resolution and the ability to navigate complex situations effectively.
• Excellent clinical decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in fostering partnerships and collaborative working relationships.

Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a. pro rata for part time).

Working for Us
Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas. The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RN (Part 1 of NMC register) or recognised professional healthcare qualification

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescriber or working towards

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in managing integrated teams at a senior level in the community

Desirable

• Experience in Project Management

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address: Jane Atkinson Centre, Waltham Forest, London, E17 3HP
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
Team Manager: Francisca Fearon
Email: recruitment@nelft.nhs.uk

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