Job summary This position is open to staff working at the Trust in the 'ECT Family' this includes currentEast Cheshire NHS Trust employees,both NHSP and ECT bank staff, ISS staff and volunteers at the Trust. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from applicants not listed within these groups. Exciting Opportunity: Service Manager - Acute Care Are you an ambitious and driven individual looking to take the next step in your NHS career? We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity to join the Acute Care Directorate as a Service Manager. This is a pivotal role in which you will play a key part in delivering high-quality patient care, driving service improvements, and ensuring operational efficiency within a dynamic and fast-paced environment. You will work closely with clinical and managerial colleagues to enhance patient pathways, optimise resources, and support strategic service developments. If you are passionate about healthcare management and eager to contribute to the ongoing success of our medical specialties, we invite you to apply and be a part of our dedicated team! Hours per week: 37.5 Main duties of the job Your role will be to provide operational management support, working closely with clinicians, managers and staff to ensure that services are responsive to patients and provided to the highest possible standard. The successful candidate will have proven operational management experience within an acute hospital setting in an operational role, including experience in staff management and delivering services. Knowledge and experience of how to maximise compliance to referral to treatment targets, including waiting list management and management of outpatient clinics, would be highly desirable. In order to meet this challenge, you will be a team player with excellent communication skills and a drive to improve patient experience. A flexible and proactive approach is essential, and you will need to have the skills to prioritise and plan your workload in a busy environment. We welcome applications from Graduate visa holders; it is important to note that you must have a minimum of 6 months before this expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons. Non-UK or Irish applicants should check their visa and this role's eligibility for sponsorship before applying. For further information please visit Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Please be advised we are unable to provide Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship to non-UK residents. About us We are committed to providing the best quality integrated care to our patients. To achieve this aim we need highly motivated staff who are united by common values and behaviours. We believe our workforce is our greatest asset and we actively support our staff to develop their capabilities to the full, with a variety of learning and development opportunities. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, East Cheshire NHS Trust is the right employer for you. We look forward to you joining us so that we can bring out your best. Please be aware that this post requires an Standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check with barred lists, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert. Details Date posted 27 November 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 209-A-25-7612452 Job locations Macclesfield District General Hospital Victoria Road, Macclesfield SK10 3BL Job description Job responsibilities Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information. Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role. As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage Careers :: East Cheshire NHS Trust for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application. While this is not discouraged, it is essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section as these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job youre applying for. We kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process and being a member of East Cheshire NHS Trust. Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications. We look forward to receiving your application. Job description Job responsibilities Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information. Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role. As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage Careers :: East Cheshire NHS Trust for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application. While this is not discouraged, it is essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section as these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job youre applying for. We kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process and being a member of East Cheshire NHS Trust. Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications. We look forward to receiving your application. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level (or equivalent knowledge gained through experience) with management experience, preferably in an operational environment. Recognised management qualification or equivalent experience. Desirable Knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and key changes in the NHS. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of managing within NHS healthcare setting Sound working knowledge of NHS patient IT systems Experience of dealing with difficult operational issues Understanding of service/quality improvement methodology and project delivery in health care Understands and is able to interpret national policy in relation to access, targets and performance and translate to the local level Excellent problem-solving skills using team when appropriate Able to analyse, understand and present complex financial, activity and clinical data Experience Essential Excellent communications skills, written and oral Evidence of being a team-player with a clear ability to stand back and view the big picture when necessary Ability to motivate staff to deliver challenging targets Ability to present complex data in a meaningful way to a range of professional groups Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams including medical staff Operational experience of job planning processes within medical teams Experience of activity planning and SLA (service level agreements) management Experience and commitment to quality, innovation, productivity and prevention Proven managerial and budgetary experience Experience of personal accountability for service delivery Experience of working in an evolving and unpredictable environment Skills and Abilities Essential Developed interpersonal, communication (written and oral), persuasive and facilitation skills. Well-developed workload management skills. Understanding of the healthcare management environment, roles and responsibilities. Demonstrate willingness and ability to challenge existing practice Ability to work under pressure and to prioritise Methodical and extremely organised approach Excellent communication skills Well-developed analytical skills Ability to constantly motivate self and others Negotiation at high level as well as ability to persuade Handling sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy Problem solving Ability to successfully link strategy and operations Critical thinking and analytical skills with the ability to translate into comprehensive reports Ability to work with and deliver within a fixed project timescale Other Role Requirement Essential Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level (or equivalent knowledge gained through experience) with management experience, preferably in an operational environment. Recognised management qualification or equivalent experience. Desirable Knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and key changes in the NHS. Knowledge Essential Knowledge of managing within NHS healthcare setting Sound working knowledge of NHS patient IT systems Experience of dealing with difficult operational issues Understanding of service/quality improvement methodology and project delivery in health care Understands and is able to interpret national policy in relation to access, targets and performance and translate to the local level Excellent problem-solving skills using team when appropriate Able to analyse, understand and present complex financial, activity and clinical data Experience Essential Excellent communications skills, written and oral Evidence of being a team-player with a clear ability to stand back and view the big picture when necessary Ability to motivate staff to deliver challenging targets Ability to present complex data in a meaningful way to a range of professional groups Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams including medical staff Operational experience of job planning processes within medical teams Experience of activity planning and SLA (service level agreements) management Experience and commitment to quality, innovation, productivity and prevention Proven managerial and budgetary experience Experience of personal accountability for service delivery Experience of working in an evolving and unpredictable environment Skills and Abilities Essential Developed interpersonal, communication (written and oral), persuasive and facilitation skills. Well-developed workload management skills. Understanding of the healthcare management environment, roles and responsibilities. Demonstrate willingness and ability to challenge existing practice Ability to work under pressure and to prioritise Methodical and extremely organised approach Excellent communication skills Well-developed analytical skills Ability to constantly motivate self and others Negotiation at high level as well as ability to persuade Handling sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy Problem solving Ability to successfully link strategy and operations Critical thinking and analytical skills with the ability to translate into comprehensive reports Ability to work with and deliver within a fixed project timescale Other Role Requirement Essential Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details Employer details Employer name East Cheshire NHS Trust Address Macclesfield District General Hospital Victoria Road, Macclesfield SK10 3BL Employer's website https://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name East Cheshire NHS Trust Address Macclesfield District General Hospital Victoria Road, Macclesfield SK10 3BL Employer's website https://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)