Job summary
This is a senior operational leadership role within NHS Talking Therapies at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. The Service Manager will take a central role in the coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality psychological therapy services for adults across the borough.

Working closely with the Trust-wide Operational and Clinical Lead, and local system partners, the post holder will lead service performance, governance, and workforce delivery. The role requires strong partnership working with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), commissioners, and key stakeholders to ensure the service meets national NHS Talking Therapies standards, local priorities, and performance targets.

They will ensure services are safe, effective, and responsive, with a clear focus on access, waiting times, recovery outcomes, and patient experience.

The post holder will contribute to strategic planning and service development across the Trust, leading improvement and transformation initiatives. They will ensure robust clinical governance processes are in place, including risk management, incident investigation, audit, and compliance with information governance and data protection standards.

This role requires a visible and supportive leader who can work in a complex and changing environment, manage competing priorities, and build strong working relationships across services and partner organisations.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the operational management of an NHS Talking Therapies service, ensuring delivery against national and local performance standards
• Work closely with the Trustwide Operational and Clinical Lead and senior leadership teams to deliver service objectives and improvement plans
• Maintain strong relationships with the ICB and system partners, providing regular performance and service updates
• Ensure high standards of clinical governance, patient safety, and quality of care
• Manage workforce performance, recruitment, and staff development across the service
• Oversee budgets and resources, ensuring effective and efficient use of funding
• Lead service development, change programmes, and transformation work aligned to Trust strategy
• Promote a positive, open, and inclusive culture that reflects PCFT values and a "just culture" approach

About us
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We're really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we're a great place to work.

All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.

If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
• Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
• Access to Continued Professional Development
• Involvement in improvement and research activities
• Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
• Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel

Job responsibilities
The Service Manager will provide operational leadership for NHS Talking Therapies services, ensuring delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care in line with national standards and local priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of NHS Talking Therapies services, ensuring delivery against access, waiting time and recovery targets
• Provide visible leadership to multidisciplinary teams, including Team Managers, Clinical Leads and data staff, ensuring clear accountability and performance oversight
• Work closely with the Trustwide Operational and Clinical Lead to plan, deliver and monitor service performance, identifying risks and leading corrective action where required
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), commissioners, primary care and wider system partners, providing regular and accurate performance updates
• Ensure robust clinical governance arrangements are in place, including risk management, incident investigation, complaints handling, audit and compliance with Trust policies and information governance standards
• Lead service improvement and transformation programmes, supporting the development of new pathways and models of care in line with Trust and Greater Manchester priorities
• Manage designated budgets and resources, ensuring effective use of funding, identification of cost pressures and delivery of efficiency plans
• Oversee workforce management, including recruitment, retention, supervision, appraisal and staff development, ensuring a skilled and compliant workforce
• Promote a positive and inclusive culture, embedding a just culture approach and maintaining high standards of professionalism, accountability and compassion
• Analyse and interpret service data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement in patient outcomes and experience
• Ensure compliance with NHS Talking Therapies clinical models, outcome measurement standards and national guidance
• Contribute to borough and Trust-wide strategic planning, business planning and service development
• Represent NHS Talking Therapies at local and system forums, contributing to wider mental health service development

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Degree or equivalent experience in health, social care, management or related field
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g. management, leadership, clinical) or equivalent experience
• Leadership or management qualification

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in operational management within NHS or similar healthcare setting
• Experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of delivering against performance targets (e.g. access, waiting times, outcomes)
• Experience of financial and budget management
• Experience of workforce management (recruitment, appraisal, supervision, HR processes)
• Experience of working with external stakeholders (e.g. ICB, commissioners, primary care)
• Experience in NHS Talking Therapies / IAPT services
• Experience of leading service improvement or transformation programmes

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Knowledge of NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) model and national guidance
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, risk management, and quality standards
• Ability to analyse and interpret performance and activity data
• Financial awareness and ability to manage resources effectively
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including presenting complex information
• Ability to build effective partnerships across services and organisations

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS systems (e.g. PC-MIS, PARIS or equivalent)
• Understanding of CQC standards and regulatory requirements

Leadership and Special Attributes
Essential

• Proven leadership skills with ability to motivate and manage teams effectively
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex and changing environment
• Demonstrates professionalism, accountability and integrity
• Ability to lead change and support service development
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Promotes a positive and open culture aligned to a "just culture" approach

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Ability to participate in operational rotas
• Willingness to travel across localities as required

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).