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
-
Strategy & Programme Director
England, BS34 7QH
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Blood and Transplant
-
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 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
-
Associate Director of Therapies
Halifax, HX3 5AQ
- Salary :
- £91342.00 to £105337.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield 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
-
Director of Clinical Services
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- £88000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Executive Director of Finance
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Director of Planning & Transformation
Across Wales, NP44 7HF
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust
-
Deputy Director of Public Health
Exeter, EX2 4QD
- Salary :
- £110600.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Devon County Council
-
Deputy Director of Psychological Professions
Luton, LU1 2PJ
- Salary :
- £91342.00 to £105337.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- East London NHS Foundation 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)
-
Director of Operations - Research & Development
Birmingham, B4 6NH
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
-
Associate Director of Partnerships & Transformation
Huddersfield, HD2 1GQ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Local Care Direct
-
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
-
GP Training Programme Director for Expansion
Horley, RH6 7DE
- Salary :
- £113917.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Assistant Director - Financial Planning Delivery Directorate
Pencoed,, CF35 5LJ
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Public Health Wales
-
Director of Post Graduate Medical Education
Doncaster, DN4 8QN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT
-
Assistant Director of Estates and Facilities
Ashford, TN25 4AZ
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
KSS Training Programme Director for Haematology
Horley, RH6 7DE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Director of Operations (Estates and Facilities)
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Training Programme Director for Immunology (London)
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Band 9 Director of Group Finance
Birmingham, B15 1NT
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Group Deputy Director of Nursing
Manchester, M13 9WL
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Executive Director of Finance and Contracting
Warrington, WA1 1QY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
-
Medical Director
Birmingham, B24 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Hospice
-
Medical Director
Rochdale, OL16 2UP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Medical Director
Bolton, BL4 0JR
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Hospital Director
Waltham Abbey, EN9 3JY
- Salary :
- £60000.00 to £80000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barchester Healthcare
-
Hospital Director
Charlwood, RH6 0BN
- Salary :
- £80000.00 to £100000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Divisional Director
Braddan, IM4 4RJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manx Care
-
Deputy Director of Nursing, Quality & Patient Experience
Carmarthen, SA31 3BB
- Salary :
- £106967.00 to £123091.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
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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
-
Substantive Consultant and Clinical Director in Urology
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Training Programme Director for Rheumatology in KSS
Horley, RH6 7DE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
KSS Training Programme Director for Gastro-enterology
Horley, RH6 7DE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Deputy Associate Director of Nursing - Community and Children's
TBC, HG2 7SX
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Nursing/Deputy to Regional Chief Nurse
Flexible across North West Region, M1 3BP
- Salary :
- £100000.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities (Subject to banding)
Kings Lynn, PE30 4ET
- Salary :
- £91342.00 to £105337.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT
-
Director of Finance - LCOs and UDHM Clinical Group
Manchester, M2 5DB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Operational Finance / Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Nottingham, NG5 1PB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts
-
Executive Director of People Services and Organisational Development
St Asaph, LL17 0JE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Non-Executive Director
Willerby Hill, Willerby, HU10 6ED
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Technical Director
Leicester, LE3 9QP
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
-
Directorate General Manager
Cardiff, CF14 2TL
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Velindre Cancer Centre
-
Regional Medical Director
Borehamwood, WD6 1JN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Deputy Medical Director
Portsmouth, PO3 6DW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Programme Director, Communications
Manchester, M1 3BN
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Showing 6 of 60 results
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For further information about a career in strategic management, please contact: