WereHiring a Full-Time Deputy Service Manager
Salary: £40,000 per annumClosing Date: 5pm 8th May 2026
Areyou passionate about helping others and making a real difference? Do you wantto be part of a team where your work truly impacts your community, theenvironment, and the future of healthcare? Then Smile Together is the place foryou!
Smile Together Dental is one of the UKs leadingemployee-owned healthcare organisations. We exist to improve oral health,reduce inequality and ensure everyone in our communities can accesshigh-quality care regardless of their background or circumstances.
We are looking for a Deputy Service Manager. This is a hands-on, field-based leadership role where you will work closely with the Service Manager, Practice Managers, clinicians and support teams to ensure our services are clinically excellent, financially sustainable and aligned with our social purpose.
Main duties of the job
What are we looking for?
The Deputy Service Manager is responsible for supporting the Service Manager in the effective operational management of Smile Togethers clinical services. Your purpose is to ensure that each practice delivers outstanding patient care, meets contractual and business objectives, runs safely and efficiently, and contributes positively to the health of the communities we serve.
You will play a key role in translating organisational strategy into practical action, ensuring our practices are resilient, well-led and focused on improving access, quality and patient experience.
We are looking for a compassionate, commercially aware and people-focused leader who is motivated by purpose as well as performance.
You will ideally have:
* Proven experience leading multiple sites or teams in healthcare, social care, dental, or another regulated environment
* Strong operational and financial management skills, including budgets, productivity and performance
* A passion for patient experience, equality of access and high-quality care
* A supportive leadership style that develops others and builds trust
* Confidence managing change, improvement and challenging situations
* The ability to balance financial sustainability with social purpose
About us
WhyJoin Us?
Were committed to doing business differently for the benefit of our people, the communities we serve, and our planet. From reducing our environmental toothprint with sustainable practices, to playing an active role in improving oral health across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, our mission goes beyond dentistry: we change lives and wed love you to be part ofthat!
What Makes Us Unique?
Employee-Owned:Be more than an employee become a co-owner, shaping the future of SmileTogether.
B Corp Certified:We use business as a force for good, socially, environmentally and ethically
CommunityFocused: Everyday, we work to improve the health and wellbeing of Cornwalls residents, withspecial attention to vulnerable and underserved communities
Mentorshipand Professional Development:
Wellhelp you develop your skills with access to our Smile Together Training Academy, including a paid subscription to Agilio for continuous professionaldevelopment, mentorship opportunities, and unique chances to work acrossCornwall, including in our Mobile Dental Unit.
WorkforceBenefits Package:
Occupational pension scheme, 27 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), National Living Wage Employer, and an extra paid day off to celebrate your birthday!
Job responsibilities
JobSummary
Support the Service Manager in the effective operational management of Smile Togethers clinical and support services. Ensure practices deliver outstanding patient care, meet contractual and business objectives, and operate safely in line with all relevant regulations (CQC, GDC, H&S, Employment Law). Translate organisational strategy into practical actions to improve access, quality, and patient experience.
Line Management and Leadership:
Manage and enable Practice Managers, the Out of Hours (OOH) team, and Call Handling team to develop effective communication, high performance, and service efficiency. Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management, upholding Smile Togethers values and professional standards.
Key accountabilities
Leading and Supporting Practices
Line manage and coach Practice Managers to deliver safe, effective and compassionate dental services.
Build strong relationships with clinicians and foster a culture of learning and improvement.
Ensure compliance with governance, safeguarding, infection control (HTM 01-05), and health and safety standards.
Call Centre
Lead and manage the Call Handling team to deliver a responsive, patient-focused service.
Oversee inbound and outbound call operations, ensuring accurate recording, timely patient access and efficient administrative processes.
Use data to monitor demand and support service planning.
Out of Hours
Manage the day-to-day operation of the OOH service.
Oversee recruitment, utilisation, and retention of OOH staff.
Ensure consistent patient experience, quality, and safety across all OOH sites.
Delivering High-Quality Patient Care
Promote a consistent, safe, and high-quality patient experience.
Support reduction of inequalities in access to NHS and community dental care.
Monitor patient feedback and complaints, ensuring shared learning and service improvement.
Manage budgets and ensure resource efficiency across sites.
Support contract delivery, activity levels, and long-term sustainability.
Ensure services are appropriately staffed and productive.
Develop and retain high-performing Practice Managers and teams.
Promote wellbeing, inclusion, and continuous development.
Address conduct issues, grievances, and complaints promptly to maintain a positive work culture and compliance with standards.
Lead recruitment and selection to ensure high-quality staffing.
Manage team performance, development, attendance, and wellbeing in line with company procedures.
Governance, Compliance & Risk
Ensure CQC, NHS and organisational standards are met.
Maintain governance, audit, and risk processes.
Act promptly when issues arise, prioritising patient safety.
Uphold UK GDPR and Information Governance standards.
Change & Improvement
Support new practice launches and redesign projects.
Act as an ambassador for Smile Togethers mission and values.
Maintain professional development through the Smile Together Training Academy.
Work flexibly across locations as required.
Collaborate with management to achieve organisational objectives and lead ongoing Service Improvement Programmes (SIP
*Accountabilities may be subject to change and will be discussed with candidates
Person Specification
Experience
* Evidence of leadership or management training (e.g., ILM, equivalent experience, or in-house development).
* Proven experience in operational management within a clinical, healthcare, or multi-site service environment.
* Experience line managing teams, including performance management, coaching, and staff development.
* Experience managing service delivery, patient pathways, or customer-facing operations.
* Experience handling complaints, patient feedback, and service improvement processes.
* Experience working with budgets and contributing to financial sustainability.
* Experience working within dental, healthcare, or social enterprise environments.
* Experience supporting service redesign, change management, or new service launches.
Qualifications
Knowledge and Skills
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, support, and develop teams.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively
* Ability to analyse data to inform decision-making, planning, and performance monitoring.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively
* Understanding of UK GDPR and Information Governance requirements.
* Ability to manage risk, maintain governance processes, and respond promptly to issues
* Knowledge of NHS dental contracts and activity monitoring.
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.
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