Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Service Manager – Outpatients
The closing date is 02 August 2026
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Service Manager to join our Outpatients Team. You will be working alongside the Head of Outpatients, with a key role in the operational management, planning, delivery and performance monitoring of outpatient services across the Trust.
The post holder will work closely with clinical, operational and administrative teams to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and patient‑centred services. You will support the achievement of key performance standards, including patient access targets, waiting times and service efficiency, while contributing to service improvement initiatives and the development of outpatient pathways.
About You
You will have management experience within a complex organisation, ideally in a healthcare setting, alongside a first degree (or equivalent relevant qualification). You will possess a strong understanding of current NHS priorities, patient access and operational performance management, coupled with excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
The successful candidate will be proactive, highly motivated and able to build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to support the continued development of high‑quality outpatient services.
Apply today!
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Head of Outpatients, your responsibilities will include:
- Operationally manage outpatient services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and patient‑centred care.
- Support the Head of Outpatients in the planning, delivery and day‑to‑day management of outpatient services and administrative teams.
- Monitor and manage performance against national and local standards, including clinic utilisation, waiting times, and Was Not Brought (WNB) rates.
- Work closely with clinical and operational teams to support effective capacity planning, service delivery and resource utilisation.
- Lead and support service improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience, efficiency and quality of care.
- Develop and maintain systems to monitor performance, identify areas for improvement and support informed decision‑making.
- Support the management of incidents, complaints and service concerns, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into practice.
- Build effective working relationships with clinical, operational and corporate teams to support the delivery of Trust objectives.
About us
At Sheffield Children’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children’s Health.
We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.
We’re proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children’s as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England — and the top‑ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire — in the latest NHS Staff Survey.
Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values — Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.
As we approach our 150th anniversary this year, we’re excited to keep building our leadership in children’s health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.
We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts — helping you thrive at work and beyond.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Children’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone’s success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
- Recognised management qualification (at degree level or equivalent)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Social Care Management.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience of effective performance management including use of a range of IM&T solutions.
- Working part of a multidisciplinary management/leadership team.
- Experience of managing and delivering complex projects.
- Clear understanding of NHS strategy, targets, plans and agendas, both nationally and locally.
- Experience of managing major change in service provision.
- Working with service users and their carers to promote partnership working.
Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to manage change and achieve objectives within timescales.
- Project management principles.
- Ability to manage within the Trust’s systems and processes to support the achievement of its policies, improve performance and ensure Best Value for service users and stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills across a range of media and audiences/environments.
- Ability to form effective working relationships with senior managers, front line clinicians, service users and carers.
- Ability to write reports on present and future services.
- Able to present and disseminate information.
- Must be prepared to travel outside or around the city for different work requirements.
Personal Attributes
- Ability to problem solve and find solutions.
- Ability to communicate at a high level internally and externally.
- Possess numerical and analytical skills and can assimilate and interpret data to make resultant judgements.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet changing deadlines.
- Excellent written and report writing skills.
- Ability to work on own initiative, as well as integrate within the team.
- Able to keep abreast of developments in the Collaborative and the wider NHS that may impact on the role.
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.
Address
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
425-26-8135529
Job locations
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
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