Astley Ainslie Hospital
Service Manager East Region Health Protection Service (ERHPS)
Location: Flexible across NHS Lothian, NHS Borders, NHS Fife, NHS Forth Valley
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for public health and operational excellence? The East Region Health Protection Service is seeking a dynamic Service Manager to lead the development of this innovative service. The successful postholder will be employed by NHS Lothian and working locations will include Lothian, Borders, Fife or Forth Valley Health Boards. Hybrid working is available with a minimum of two days working in the office each week.
As Service Manager, you will be accountable for the operational delivery and strategic planning of ERHPS. You will support a multidisciplinary team of Health Protection staff, oversee governance, manage budgets, and performance across a complex and high-impact public health service.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead and manage ERHPS operations across four NHS Boards.
2. Oversee governance including workforce planning, financial management, risk, and performance.
3. Manage a team of business, administrative, and analytical staff (circa 11wte), supporting a wider team of ~40wte.
4. Develop and maintain service-level agreements, SOPs, and business continuity plans.
5. Collaborate with senior stakeholders across NHS and partner organisations.
6. Ensure compliance with national guidance and local board policies.
7. Drive service improvement through audits, surveys, and strategic reviews.
What Youll Bring
8. Degree in a business or health-related subject; Masters level qualification (SCQF Level 11) or equivalent experience.
9. Proven leadership in complex service/project management within NHS or similar.
10. Expertise in financial planning, performance management, and service redesign.
11. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
12. Knowledge of public health systems, quality improvement methodology, and equality duties.
Why Join Us?
13. Be part of a forward-thinking, region-wide health protection service.
14. Influence public health outcomes across diverse communities.
15. Work with passionate professionals in a collaborative environment.
16. Enjoy flexible working across multiple board locations with support for professional development.
To discuss the post in more detail please contact: Dr Joy Tomlinson, Director Of Public Health NHS Fife or Andrew Rideout Lead Consultant
Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.
We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.
This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
- Urban Practice