Service Manager

Service Manager

Band: Band 8A

Contract Type: Agency / Temporary

Duration: Immediate Start — End of March 2026

Location: NHS Hospital, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Working Pattern: Full-time, hybrid — minimum 3 days per week on-site

Hourly Rate: £28.48 – £32.06 per hour (dependent on experience)

RGH-Global is recruiting on behalf of an NHS Foundation Trust in East Grinstead for a Senior Service Manager to lead the operational delivery of the Plastics, Burns and Trauma Business Unit on an agency basis. An immediate start is required.

This is a senior leadership role at Band 8A, accountable to the Chief Operating Officer and working in close partnership with the General Manager, Clinical Director, and Lead Clinicians. You will be responsible for all aspects of Business Unit performance, including financial management, service improvement, people management, and delivery of national access targets.

The role offers hybrid working with a minimum of three days per week on-site in East Grinstead.

• Overall operational leadership and management of the Plastics, Burns and Trauma Business Unit
• Budget holder for the surgical specialty service; authorised signatory for purchases up to £5,000
• Ensuring delivery of all performance and quality targets, including RTT
  18, cancer pathways, and PTL management
• Developing the annual business plan in conjunction with the General Manager and key stakeholders
• Leading service improvement projects to modernise services and improve working practices
• Line management of the administrative team within the Business Unit
• Maintaining strong financial performance, identifying cost pressures and cost improvement opportunities
• Working closely with the medical rota manager to ensure appropriate medical staffing cover at all times
• Stakeholder engagement with ICB representatives, NHS Trusts, and external partners
• Supporting Serious Untoward Incident (SUI) investigations and clinical governance requirements

• Demonstrable NHS operational management experience at a senior level (Band 7/8A equivalent)
• Experience with in a surgical speciality or busy acute hospital setting is highly desirable
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing delegated budgets
• Proven track record of delivering service improvement projects and leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience of clinical governance, business case development, and performance reporting
• Degree level education or equivalent, with a postgraduate qualification in Health/Management desirable
• Advanced Excel, data analysis, and presentation skills; comfortable engaging at Executive Board level
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and influencing skills

Please note all submissions must fall within NHS framework capped rates. Early applications are strongly encouraged given the urgency of this requirement.