Strategic management
An NHS strategic manager is a leader that puts patients, the public and our staff at the very heart of decision making and setting the organisation's direction.
"The best part of my job is that I have the opportunity to improve patient care for 7.5 million people across the north west."
Working life
You will be play a major part on setting the vision, aims and objectives for the organisation and creating routes towards reaching these goals. You could also be responsible for planning and implementing change and you're likely to be a senior leader.
Job roles will vary depending on the organisation, but essentially have responsibility for the successful delivery of a range of services within the organisation. In the NHS, your role in strategic management will certainly involve:
- leading people
- resource and budget management
- working with clinical colleagues and cross-functional teams to improve the way in which services are delivered
- consulting patients and the public
- focusing on how the NHS can be modernised to meet patients’ needs.
Your role could range from being responsible for a whole service division of staff and a multi-million pound budget in a hospital trust to managing primary care or mental health services over a wide geographical area and across many sites.
Roles in strategic management
Examples of roles in strategic management include:
Change manager
In this example, you’d be working in a large acute trust and would play a pivotal role in shaping and transforming the future of the trust. It would initially focus on delivering benefits in an area such as diagnostic imaging services, working with clinicians and managers and then move into wider clinical or non-clinical areas.
Commissioning manager (social inclusion)
This is a varied and challenging example of a role working in primary care and would give you the opportunity to develop unique services for people often excluded from planning.
Working with a range of services, you’d be responsible for ensuring that the differing needs of the community were met efficiently. The role would involve commissioning and developing healthcare services for a variety of groups, such as:
- HM prison
- asylum seekers
- black and ethnic communities
- as well as developing smoking cessation services.
Director of strategic development
Based in a mental health trust, you would be an executive director and play a significant role in shaping the future mental health services and social care provision. You would offer a board overview of new developments in specific areas such as the child and adolescent service and regional women’s forensic services.
General manager
You would be based in a high profile directorate within one of England’s largest mental health trusts. This directorate forms a key part of the NHS's plans to reform the management, assessment and treatment of high risk patients thought to be dangerous and severely personality disordered (DSPD).
As a member of the directorate management, you’d provide strategic support and professional guidance, while managing a multi-million pound budget and over 300 people.
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Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers.
Although you could work your way up from administrative and supervisory roles in between bands 3-6, working in a strategic management role in the NHS your salary would typically be around AfC bands 8 and 9. There would be opportunities at director level, some of which would be on the Very Senior Managers pay scales, typically in excess of £100,000 per year.
Staff in the NHS will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week.
Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
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With further training and/or experience, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for more senior managerial roles.
Progression for those with ability is typically via operational management in a large hospital.
Relocation for promotion is common.
More diverse routes are now opening up, for example, jointly-funded posts between health and social services.
Graduates from the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme are expected to gain rapid promotion.
Management qualifications, such as an MBA (Master of Business of Administration) or DMS (Diploma in Management Studies) may be an advantage for some posts.
When you’re looking for managerial jobs or apprenticeship vacancies, there are a number of sources you can use but most vacancies are advertising on the NHS Jobs website.
Just some of the current vacancies are below.
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Director of Commissioning and Performance
Cardiff, CF14 4HH
- Salary :
- £105385.00 to £121271.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
-
Deputy Director of Strategy, Planning & Partnerships
Caerleon, NP18 3XQ
- Salary :
- £118930.00 to £123872.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Interim Senior Programme and Neighbourhood Commissioning Director
Bodmin, PL31 2QN
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Head of Strategy, Research Engagement and Inclusion
Exeter, EX2 5DW
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Operations
Denmark Hill, SE5 9RS
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Finance
Eastleigh, SO50 5PB
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB (104)
-
Director of Finance
Runcorn, WA7 6EP
- Salary :
- £56745.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Halton Haven Hospice
-
Director of Human Resources
SCARBOROUGH, YO12 5RE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Saint Catherine’s Hospice
-
Director of Operational Finance
Torquay, TQ2 7AN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Director of Pharmacy
317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Associate Director of Estates
London, WC1N 3JH
- Salary :
- £99808.00 to £113803.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Finance - Operations
Chelsea, SW3 6JJ
- Salary :
- £117645.00 to £134103.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Breast Screening
Lancaster, LA1 4RP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
-
Executive Director of Quality
Bolton, BL1 5DD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
-
Director of Commerical Contracts
Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9WT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Director of Medical Education
Worthing, BN11 1HS
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Corporate Affairs
London, SE1 9SD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
-
Deputy Director of Safeguarding
Blackpool, FY3 8NR
- Salary :
- £91342.00 to £105337.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Associate Director of Workforce
Bodmin, PL31 2QN
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Clinical Services
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- £88000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Director of Clinical Services
Wrexham, LL137YP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Spire Healthcare Ltd
-
Executive Director of Finance
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Director of Patient Safety
Leeds/London, LS1 4AP
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Director of Pay and Reward
Leeds, LS2 7JU
- Salary :
- £123374.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Employers
-
Assistant Director of Logistics Services
Newport, NP10 8BE
- Salary :
- £92713.00 to £106919.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
-
Deputy Director of Public Health
Exeter, EX2 4QD
- Salary :
- £110600.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Devon County Council
-
Assistant Director of Planning & Transformation
Across Wales, NP44 7HF
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust
-
AGH Solutions - Director of Operations
Steeton, BD20 6TD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- AGH Solutions Ltd
-
Director of Communications and Engagement
London, E1 8DE
- Salary :
- £117645.00 to £134103.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Group Director of Corporate Governance
Bristol, BS1 3LH
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
-
Associate Director of Partnerships & Transformation
Huddersfield, HD2 1GQ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Local Care Direct
-
Group Director of Corporate Governance
Isle of Wight, PO30 5TG
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust
-
Director of Risk and Compliance
Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9WT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Director of Research and Innovation
Manchester, M13 9WL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of People and Workplace
Birmingham, London, Leeds, Liverpool., E14 4PU
- Salary :
- £100000.00 to £125000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- UK Health Security Agency
-
AGH Solutions - Director of Finance
Steeton, BD20 6TD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- AGH Solutions Ltd
-
Deputy Director of Operations - Medicine Division
Birmingham, B4 6NH
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Director of Estates and Facilities
Ashford, TN25 4AZ
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Director - Financial Planning Delivery Directorate
Pencoed,, CF35 5LJ
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Public Health Wales
-
Director of Operations (Estates and Facilities)
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Director for Community Health Services
Leicester, LE3 8TB
- Salary :
- £91342.00 to £105337.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
-
Training Programme Director for Immunology (London)
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Director of Performance and Outcome Delivery
Bodmin, PL31 2QN
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 9 Director of Group Finance
Birmingham, B15 1NT
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Executive Director of Finance and Contracting
Warrington, WA1 1QY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
-
Associate Director of Estates and Facilities
London, E1 1FR
- Salary :
- £99808.00 to £113803.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barts Health NHS Trust
-
Medical Director and Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
Bury, BL8 2BS
- Salary :
- £185000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Assistant Director of Finance - Financial Services
Torquay, TQ2 7AN
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Medical Director
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Hospital Director
Ebbw Vale, NP23 5YA
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Medical Director
Rochdale, OL16 2UP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Hospital Director
Charlwood, RH6 0BN
- Salary :
- £80000.00 to £100000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Hospital Director
Waltham Abbey, EN9 3JY
- Salary :
- £60000.00 to £80000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barchester Healthcare
-
Medical Director
Bolton, BL4 0JR
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Divisional Director
Braddan, IM4 4RJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manx Care
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Commercial Director
Leicester, LE1 5WW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
-
Associate Director of Assurance and Energy Decarbonisation
Exeter, EX2 5DW
- Salary :
- £91342.00 to £105337.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Director of Nursing, Quality & Patient Experience
Carmarthen, SA31 3BB
- Salary :
- £106967.00 to £123091.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Associate Director of SY Tobacco Control Alliance
Barnsley, S75 2EP
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Operations (Family & Clinical Support Services)
Wakefield, WF1 4DG
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
Showing 6 of 60 results
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For further information about a career in strategic management, please contact: