Operations Manager

The closing date is 27 September 2026 This is an exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced manager who is passionate about service improvement, workforce development and delivering high-quality patient care. Our clinical team includes 12 GP Partners, 6 Salaried GPs, an experienced nursing team, Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs), Paramedics, Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Practitioners and a wider multidisciplinary team. We work closely with our Primary Care Network colleagues to deliver excellent outcomes for our patients. As our Practice continues to evolve, we are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Operational Manager to lead and develop our Clinical Pillar. The successful candidate will take management responsibility for the Clinical Pillar, working closely with a designated GP Partner who will have protected time to support the development, management and implementation of key workstreams. Main duties of the job Provide operational management and leadership for the day to day running of the practice Work alongside the designated GP Partner to develop and deliver strategic clinical objectives. Support and manage clinical teams to achieve high standards of patient care. Lead service redesign and quality improvement initiatives. Review and develop practice systems, processes and patient pathways. Support workforce planning, recruitment, training and staff development. Ensure compliance with clinical governance, quality and safety standards. Work collaboratively with PCN colleagues and wider healthcare partners. Combe Coastal is a large, forward-thinking and well-established GP practice serving more than 18,000 patients across three sites on the beautiful North Devon coast. We are proud of our reputation for delivering high-quality patient care while embracing innovation and new ways of working. The post holder will take management responsibility for the Clinical Pillar, working alongside a designated GP Partner with protected time to develop, manage and initiate the relevant work streams. They will be responsible for the day to day running of the practice. They will be expected to implement our working systems/practices to meet the needs of our patients and business. They will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including clinical, administrative and PCN staff. They will also be expected to work directly with patients where needed. The post-holder will be expected to work within professional boundaries and contractual requirements, reporting directly to the Partnership Board for approval and implementation. The post holder will take responsibility for all areas within the job specification and be able to work at a high level with an understanding of contractual responsibilities and clinical system management and processes. The post holder will provide leadership and recommendations to the Partnership Board on system optimisation and quality improvement, this will include working closely with the other management leads for the 2 other Pillars (People and Strategic) and the Finance Manager to ensure whole system efficiency. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation and passion to deliver excellent service within General Practice. Whilst the role has designated tasks and responsibilities there is an expectation that at certain times cross cover of management roles will be required. The post holder will take management responsibility for the Clinical Pillar, working alongside a designated GP Partner with protected time to develop, manage and initiate the relevant work streams. They will be responsible for the day to day running of the practice. They will be expected to implement our working systems/practices to meet the needs of our patients and business. They will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including clinical, administrative and PCN staff. They will also be expected to work directly with patients where needed. The post-holder will be expected to work within professional boundaries and contractual requirements, reporting directly to the Partnership Board for approval and implementation. The post holder will take responsibility for all areas within the job specification and be able to work at a high level with an understanding of contractual responsibilities and clinical system management and processes. The post holder will provide leadership and recommendations to the Partnership Board on system optimisation and quality improvement, this will include working closely with the other management leads for the 2 other Pillars (People and Strategic) and the Finance Manager to ensure whole system efficiency. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation and passion to deliver excellent service within General Practice. Whilst the role has designated tasks and responsibilities there is an expectation that at certain times cross cover of management roles will be required. Strong leadership and people management skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to influence and engage clinicians and non-clinical staff. Ability to analyse information and make informed decisions. Strong organisational and project management skills. Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands. Competent IT skills and experience using electronic patient record systems. Experience of leading and managing teams. Experience of supervising, mentoring and supporting staff development. Experience of service improvement, quality improvement or practice transformation projects. Experience of implementing and reviewing clinical policies, procedures and pathways. Experience of managing change within a healthcare setting. Experience of multidisciplinary team working. Experience of handling complex issues. Experience of clinical governance, patient safety and risk management processes. Significant experience working in Primary Care, General Practice or Community Healthcare. Knowledge of CQC standards and quality assurance requirements. Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities. Understanding of clinical governance frameworks. Knowledge of workforce planning and staff development. Understanding of NHS contractual and performance frameworks. Strong leadership and people management skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to influence and engage clinicians and non-clinical staff. Ability to analyse information and make informed decisions. Strong organisational and project management skills. Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands. Competent IT skills and experience using electronic patient record systems. Experience of leading and managing teams. Experience of supervising, mentoring and supporting staff development. Experience of service improvement, quality improvement or practice transformation projects. Experience of implementing and reviewing clinical policies, procedures and pathways. Experience of managing change within a healthcare setting. Experience of multidisciplinary team working. Experience of handling complex issues. Experience of clinical governance, patient safety and risk management processes. Significant experience working in Primary Care, General Practice or Community Healthcare. Knowledge of CQC standards and quality assurance requirements. Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities. Understanding of clinical governance frameworks. Knowledge of workforce planning and staff development. Understanding of NHS contractual and performance frameworks. 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. Combe Coastal Practice https://www.combecoastalpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Combe Coastal Practice https://www.combecoastalpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Employer contact details For questions about the job, contact: Finance & Estates Manager stephanierichardson@nhs.net Supporting links (all open in new tabs) Combe Coastal Practice Combe Coastal Practice's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)