Job summary

The Operational Manager is responsible for the day to day operational management and leadership of the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). As community mental health services continue to transform, this is a key role which requires the post holder to embrace and lead change positively to shape the future of the service.

The Operational Manager will work as part of a triumvirate leadership structure alongside B7 Clinical Leads / Specialist Nurses to lead the CMHT, reporting to a B8a locality Service Manager. The Operational Manager will deputise in the absence of the Service Manager and will participate in the Mental Health Manager-on-Call roster.

The Operational Manager is responsible for managing resources to provide quality mental health care to a defined population. It is essential to be able to develop partnership working, relationship management and integration with Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises (VSCE), social care, primary care and other NHFT teams, to ensure that service users and carers can access timely care and have a seamless journey through services.

The Operational Manager will provide, receive and lead on complex, sensitive, or contentious information where complex skills are needed for operational and clinical situations. They will be required to undertake investigations and support staff to learn from patient safety incidents, complaints and concerns.

Main duties of the job

The Operational Manager is responsible for the leadership, wellbeing and line management of staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective care and achievement of key performance standards. Responsibilities include supervision, appraisal, sickness absence and performance management, staff wellbeing, coaching, mentoring and conflict resolution in line with Trust and HR policies.

The post holder will utilise systems including HealthRoster, ESR, Agresso, SystmOne, Datix, SMART, audits and mandatory training reports to monitor performance and support delivery of service objectives and KPIs.

The Operational Manager will chair business meetings and team development events, ensuring effective communication and dissemination of information from senior leaders. The role includes oversight of PALS enquiries, complaints and compliments, ensuring concerns are addressed appropriately and learning is embedded to support continuous improvement.

Working alongside the Clinical Lead, the post holder will ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements, support the implementation of local and national policies, and share responsibility for Referral to Treatment (RTT) pathways and waiting list management.

The Operational Manager is accountable for budget, workforce and resource management, including recruitment, workforce planning, resource allocation and identifying training and development needs to support high-quality service delivery and continuous improvement.

About us

NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our 'outstanding' rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.

At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.

We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

270-TH376-MH

Job locations

St Marys Hospital

St Marys Hospital Carey Block

Kettering

NN157PW

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Provide visible and compassionate leadership to the multidisciplinary team, creating a positive culture that promotes high standards of care, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, motivate and support staff to achieve service objectives, ensuring individuals are empowered to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care.
• Provide line management and professional support to team members, including supervision, appraisal, performance management, and development planning.Lead workforce planning activities to ensure the team has the skills, capacity, and capabilities required to meet service demands.
• Support staff wellbeing, engagement, and retention through effective leadership and a proactive approach to staff support.
• Manage complex people management issues, including sickness absence, capability, conduct, and conflict resolution, working in partnership with Human Resources as required.
• Promote a culture of learning by supporting training, development opportunities, reflective practice, and the implementation of lessons learned from incidents, complaints, and service reviews.Lead and manage change within the service, ensuring staff are supported through transformation programmes and organisational developments.
• Foster effective multidisciplinary and multi-agency working, developing strong relationships with internal and external partners to improve outcomes for service users and carers.
• Deputise for the Service Manager as required, providing operational leadership and representing the service at internal and external meetings.

Job description Job responsibilities Provide visible and compassionate leadership to the multidisciplinary team, creating a positive culture that promotes high standards of care, accountability, and continuous improvement. Lead, motivate and support staff to achieve service objectives, ensuring individuals are empowered to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care. Provide line management and professional support to team members, including supervision, appraisal, performance management, and development planning.Lead workforce planning activities to ensure the team has the skills, capacity, and capabilities required to meet service demands. Support staff wellbeing, engagement, and retention through effective leadership and a proactive approach to staff support. Manage complex people management issues, including sickness absence, capability, conduct, and conflict resolution, working in partnership with Human Resources as required. Promote a culture of learning by supporting training, development opportunities, reflective practice, and the implementation of lessons learned from incidents, complaints, and service reviews.Lead and manage change within the service, ensuring staff are supported through transformation programmes and organisational developments. Foster effective multidisciplinary and multi-agency working, developing strong relationships with internal and external partners to improve outcomes for service users and carers. Deputise for the Service Manager as required, providing operational leadership and representing the service at internal and external meetings.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Professional qualification holder with 3 years of experience.

Desirable

• Additional role specific post registration qualification
• Personal Statement demonstrates experience and reasons for applying

Clinical Experince

Essential

• Clinical experience working within Adult Mental Health Community Services
• Clinical or Operational Leadership experience

Desirable

• Experience managing complex mental health presentations

Person Specification Experience Essential Professional qualification holder with 3 years of experience. Desirable Additional role specific post registration qualification Personal Statement demonstrates experience and reasons for applying Clinical Experince Essential Clinical experience working within Adult Mental Health Community Services Clinical or Operational Leadership experience Desirable Experience managing complex mental health presentations

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

St Marys Hospital

St Marys Hospital Carey Block

Kettering

NN157PW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

St Marys Hospital

St Marys Hospital Carey Block

Kettering

NN157PW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)