HEAD OF PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Practice Management to join our leadership team and help shape the future direction of the Practice.
This is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for supporting the GP Partners in delivering the Practice vision, business strategy and long-term sustainability. The successful candidate will act as the senior non-clinical leader within the organisation, providing oversight of workforce, finance, governance, compliance, service development and organisational performance.
We are looking for an exceptional leader with strong business acumen, excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to lead change, drive continuous improvement and manage complex priorities within a fast-paced healthcare environment.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a large and supportive Practice, playing a key role in developing services, improving patient outcomes and ensuring the organisation continues to thrive.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Practice Management, you will provide strategic leadership and organisational oversight across all non-clinical functions of the Practice. Working closely with the GP Partners, you will lead the development and delivery of the Practice's strategic objectives, business plans and organisational priorities.
You will be accountable for workforce leadership, financial sustainability, governance, compliance and business development, ensuring the Practice remains responsive to the changing healthcare environment and continues to deliver high-quality patient services.
The postholder will line manage the Senior Practice Manager, Operations Manager and Finance & HR Administrator, fostering a high-performing management team and promoting a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and innovation.
About us
Abbey Medical Practice is a large, progressive General Practice providing primary care services to approximately 28,800 patients in Wellingborough and has a small Practice in Earls Barton.
The Practice is led by 7 GP Partners and supported by Senior Practice Manager, Patient Services Manager and Operations Manager.
The Practice is supported by a highly skilled multidisciplinary workforce, including salaried GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Treatment Area Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Clinical Pharmacists, a Healthy Minds Practitioner and a dedicated Patient Services Team.
The Practice is an active member of the Wellingborough and District PCN hub offering access to multidisciplinary teams and additional clinicians ensuring patients are seen by the most appropriate healthcare professional at the right time.
Abbey Medical Practice is registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and committed to delivering high-quality services in line with NHS standards, national policy and local commissioning requirements.
We are proud of our supportive and inclusive culture, which values teamwork, innovation, continuous improvement and staff wellbeing. This newly established Head of Practice Management role presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to play a key role in shaping the future direction of the Practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic
Develop, implement and monitor the Practice 5-year strategic business plan ensuring alignment with NHS, ICB and PCN priorities and the long-term sustainability of the Practice. Present regular progress updates to Partners and Practice staff.
Identify, evaluate and present opportunities for service development, income generation, contract opportunities and operational efficiencies to support the Practice objectives and financial sustainability.
Build and maintain effective strategic partnerships with Primary Care Networks, Integrated Care Boards, local healthcare providers and community stakeholders to support collaborative working, service development and improved patient outcomes
Lead organisational development, service redesign and transformation initiatives, ensuring delivery of quality improvement objectives and alignment with local and national healthcare priorities.
Utilise performance data, benchmarking, audit findings and market intelligence to inform strategic decision-making and support continuous improvement.
Lead the development of organisational performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms to monitor delivery against strategic, contractual, financial and operational objectives.
Develop business cases and proposals for new services, funding opportunities and Practice development projects.
Ensure strategic, operational and financial risks are identified, assessed, monitored and managed appropriately, providing assurance, recommendations and regular reports to the Partners.
Organise Practice Open days and represent the Practice at local health events, strengthening patient engagement, community relationships and the Practices profile within the local healthcare system.
Work autonomously within agreed governance frameworks, exercising professional judgement in the management of strategic, operational and financial matters, escalating significant risks and issues to the Partners where appropriate.
Finance
Accountable for monitoring and reporting on the financial performance and sustainability of the Practice, providing strategic financial advice and recommendations to the Partners to support informed decision-making.
Lead the development of annual budgets and financial forecast, ensuring the Practice remains financially sustainable.
Undertake quarterly meetings with Lead GP Partner for Finance and where necessary provide update to Partnership
Review Payroll prior to submission with Finance Clerk and assist with any queries
Assist the Lead GP Partner for Finance with queries relating to Partner Drawings
Review Pension/Superannuation submissions with Finance Clerk before submission to PCSE.
Ensure Practice has paid PAYE and NHS Pensions each month
Liaise with Practice accountants regarding queries relating to information for annual accounts. Organise annual accounts meeting with Partners/Accountant
Identify opportunities to improve financial efficiency, maximise income streams and support long-term financial sustainability.
Support monitoring of Practice performance against QoF, Enhanced Services and other contractual income opportunities.
Contracts
Ensure the Practice maintains sufficient indemnity insurance and annual reviews are completed with the Practice service provider.
Ensure that Practice maintains sufficient locum cover, in the event of staff absence and undertake annual review with the Practice service provider.
Liaise with Landlord regarding changes to agreement, service charges and monthly rental.
Review all contracts/agreements and discuss with Lead GP Partner for Contracts. Ensure the Practice complies with contractual obligations.
Update all 3rd party service contracts onto Clarity and ensure reviews of services are completed by key stakeholders along with financial reviews
Monitor contractual performance requirements and support the Practice in meeting all contractual and regulatory obligations.
Accountable HR
Accountable for the Practice adherence and compliance to Employment Law.
Work with the Practice chosen HR service provider to discuss any HR issues to ensure the Practice is compliant and as a result indemnified for any issues that may arise.
Maintain oversight of workforce systems and processes to ensure statutory compliance and consistency.
Collate GP (Partner, salaried GPs, registrars) annual leave and submit requests for approval via PM meeting
Lead on organising Practice team events and wellbeing initiatives to support staff morale
Lead and promote Practice apprenticeship scheme, ensuring it attracts high quality candidates for future workforce planning.
With the Management team and HR Administrator, oversee the recruitment, development and effective succession planning of staff within the Practice
Review staff retention and identify any common themes within the Practice that need addressing/actioning.
Work with the Management team to issue a staff newsletter providing updates to the team on points of interest.
Resolution of disciplinary and grievance issues within the Practice. Seek guidance from the HR service provider.
Undertake annual staff survey, collate responses and identify actions. Progress with Partners and provide a presentation to staff for next steps.
Ensures stronger leadership across all teams to ensure the Practice is Well Led as per CQC current requirements.
Champion compassionate, inclusive and supportive leadership practices that prioritise staff wellbeing, engagement and retention.
Support equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Practice workforce.
Develop and maintain workforce planning and succession plans to support long-term organisational resilience.
Line Manager of Operations Manager, Senior Practice Manager and Finance Clerk/HR Administrator
To assist with recruitment, in accordance with Practice Policy.
Undertake exit interviews with staff completing practice exit questionnaire
Provide and/or delegate training to all new members of staff to ensure they are able to complete work to a high standard. Ensure regular monitoring sessions have been completed to ensure training is being completed and update skills analysis. Ensure probation reviews are completed
Undertake quarterly one to ones and annual appraisals for the Operations Manager, Senior Practice Manager and Finance Clerk.
Identify skill gaps to ensure there is a full trained management team to enable service delivery. Review skills matrix and validation of training forms.
Ensure absences are recorded, including holiday requests, sickness and toil.
Ensure sickness absence management processes are followed in accordance with policy
Sign off overtime prior to submission to the Finance Clerk
Championing a compassionate, supportive and inclusive team culture with Partners and Practice Manager to actively promote mental health and wellbeing initiatives, fostering an environment that priorities the holistic health and happiness of all our employees
Promote a positive speaking-up culture where staff feel empowered to raise concerns, ideas and opportunities for improvement.
Compliance Accountable CQC inc H&S/Fire, Information Governance
Accountable for the Practice compliance with all healthcare legislation including CQC and NHS England
Working with the Operations Manager to review internal CQC testing schedule and identify areas of improvement to ensure the Practice maintains its Good rating.
Attend regular Governance meetings for Significant/learning events, complaints, information governance, infection control and other key areas as required. Ensure these are clearly documented as evidence and provide updates to the wider Practice staff via bulletin/newsletter or meeting.
Working with the Management Team, review, update and challenge the Practice policies and procedures for processes.
Work with Management Team to ensure management controls and audits have been undertaken to evidence that processes have been completed correctly.
Maintain oversight of the organisational risk register, ensuring risks are reviewed regularly, mitigating actions are implemented and assurance is provided to the Partners.
Work with Management Team regarding significant events to ensure follow up actions, learning and changes in procedures are implemented.
Support continuous quality improvement and organisational learning to maintain and improve CQC compliance and patient safety standards.
Ensure robust governance systems are in place to support safe, effective and well-led services.
Estates and Facilities
Provide strategic oversight of Practice premises, facilities and estate development plans.
Ensure the Practice environment remains safe, compliant, accessible and fit for future service delivery
Lead premises improvement and infrastructure projects in conjunction with Partners and landlord
Ensure compliance with all estates-related statutory requirements and best practice guidance
Digital Transformation
Lead the strategic adoption and implementation of digital technologies and innovation programmes that enhance patient access, operational efficiency, data quality and workforce productivity.
Promote digital innovation and continuous improvement aligned with NHS transformation priorities.
Person Specification
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Positive, friendly and approachable
- Resilient and calm under pressure
- Very organised with attention to detail
- Proactive with a flexible approach to working demands
- Professional appearance and positive attitude
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance operational pressures and long-term organisational priorities.
- Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
- Committed to collaborative leadership and continuous improvement.
- Leads by example and promotes a positive organisational culture
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion when handling sensitive matters
LEADERSHIP
- Demonstrate experience of leading, motivating and developing senior managers and teams
- Ability to build high performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
Experience
- Minimum 5 years experience in a senior management role within NHS or Primary Care
- Demonstrate experience of strategic planning and organisational development
- Experience leading complex organisational change and transformation programmes
- Significant experience of workforce management, employee relations and organisational culture development
- Experience of financial planning, budget management and financial performance monitoring
- Experience of governance, risk management and regulatory compliance
- Experience of delivering and maintaining CQC compliance
- Experience managing and developing managers and multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of analysing performance data and implementing service improvements
- Experience of working with PCNs, Federations and ICBs
- Experience in leading digital transformation initiatives
- SystmOne
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent through significant senior management experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development in management and leadership, management or organizational development
- Evidence of leadership and workforce management at senior level within Primary Care, NHS or healthcare settings
- Postgraduate qualification in Health Service Management, Business Administration, Leadership or equivalent
- Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)
- Recognised Primary Care of Practice Management qualification
- Prince2 or other Project Management qualification
Knowledge and Skills
- Strategic planning and organisational development skills
- Financial and commercial awareness
- Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders
- Strong negotiation and relationship management skills
- Ability to lead organisational change and transformation
- Risk assessment and governance skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Understanding of NHS policy, primary care contracting and commissioning arrangements
- Knowledge of NHS long term priorities for Primary Care.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Abbey Medical Practice
Address
Irthlingborough Road
Wellingborough
Northamptonshire
NN8 1LT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.abbeymedicalpractice.uk.com/