Job overview
This is a 6-12 months GMMH internal secondment opportunity as a head of operations for inpatient and community CAMHS for greater Manchester, GM Early Intervention Teams, and GM University student mental health service.
The post will be between Monday-Friday hours, and will mainly be based at Prestwich hospital.
This is an excellent opportunity for growth, development and innovation, and will be well supported within the senior leadership and quality structures reportable to the associate director of operations.
Main duties of the job
Accountable to the Chief Operating Officer and responsible to the Associate Director of Operations, as part of the Specialist Care Group, the post holder will provide and deliver operational management and leadership for their services within the division which are as follows:
Inpatient CAMHS - Prestwich
Community CAMHS - Wigan and Bolton
Early intervention and EDIT Teams - Greater Manchester
GM University Student Mental Health team
The post holder will successfully lead this portfolio of services, and in conjunction with the Associate Director of Operations, other Care Group Leads, Lead Clinicians and Service Managers, they will ensure services are of the highest quality.
As a Head of Operations you will ensure services are place based, locally informed, meet the needs of local populations and provide the best possible care. Developing and maintaining positive relationships with Commissioners and other key stakeholders.
In conjunction with the Associate Director of Operations the post holder will positively contribute to the strategic development of the Trust, ensuring best practice and learning is disseminated across the organization and that services are delivered within the GMMH quality framework, supporting the continued success of the organisation in delivering high quality mental health and substance misuse services.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Overarching Responsibilities
• In conjunction with the Associate Director of Operations, Care Group and Clinical Directors ensure that the service has a robust Service User centred vision, taking into account public policy, commissioning intentions and Trust objectives.
• Ensure that the service is based on a sound and viable financial basis, developing a financially stable service and resource plan that takes into account the opportunities, constraints, policy initiatives and resource availability.
• In collaboration with clinical leaders, ensure that effective structures and systems are in place for the Locality and supporting the Care Group to achieve its clinical governance objectives, including maintaining risk registers and working to a robust assurance framework and in providing high quality safe and effective services.
• o Work collaboratively within the Trust to enhance effective practice and development and where required, lead on projects across the Care Group and Trust. o In conjunction with the Associate Director of Operations, support the development of business plans, within the Trusts business planning cycle.
• Ensure that a recovery focus is reflected in the development of services building an effective, positive and safe culture across all teams.
• Support the care group to maximise and influence at a local, regional and national level through effective and positive communication with all external partners.
• Proactively respond to new local, regional and national policies, guidance and legislation, advising the Care Group via the Associate Director of Operations as required with regards to implications for service delivery.
• Where required, lead on projects on behalf of the Care Group/Trust.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Relevant professional qualification
2. Relevant management qualification
3. Satisfactory record of continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
4. Masters Degree in relevant field
5. Health/Social Care management Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
6. •Clear and Significant experience of operationally Managing Clinical Services
7. •Track Record of employment at senior operational level.
8. •Considerable experience of operational leadership roles in a health and social care setting.
9. •Demonstrate experience and ability to lead and manage large groups of staff from a range of professions.
10. •Demonstrates ability to manage within complex organisations
11. •Operational experience of managing and leading transformation and change
Desirable criteria
12. •Experience of working productively with external partners.
13. •Experience of managing human and financial resources at a senior level.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
14. •Understanding and experience of implementing public policy and government legislation.
15. •Possesses an up-to-date knowledge of current health agenda.
Desirable criteria
16. •Trained in the application of PSIRF
Skills
Essential criteria
17. •Positive record of accomplishment and leading successful teams.
18. •Excellent Organisation and communication skills.
19. •Excellent leadership skills.
20. •Ability to work directly with and influence commissioners positively.
21. •Ability to work within and meet clear performance targets and indicators.
22. •Effective communication skills, verbal and written – being able to communicate with staff at all levels.
23. •Ability to negotiate and manage contracts with external agencies.
24. •Ability to build confidence with stakeholders and significant others.
25. •Ability to lead, motivate, inspire and empower others to achieve service objectives and aspirations.
26. •Resilience and ability to perform in a highly pressurised environment.
27. •Track record of working in partnership with other teams, finance, HR.
Desirable criteria
28. •Experience of undertaking presentations to partners and key stakeholders
Other
Essential criteria
29. There is a frequent requirement to travel extensively across the wide footprint of the Trust
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.