Business Manager

Bethnal Green Health Centre is seeking to appoint an experienced and commercially astute Business Manager to work in close partnership with the Practice Partners. The post holder will provide strategic leadership and executive-level oversight across all aspects of practice management, including business development, financial governance, regulatory compliance, and workforce strategy. This is a senior leadership appointment suited to a highly motivated professional with a strong background in NHS primary care management. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping the long-term sustainability and development of the Practice.

Main duties of the job

The Business Manager will provide senior oversight to the Practice Manager and Deputy Practice Manager, ensuring robust operational systems are maintained across all functions. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading on strategic and business planning;
• Overseeing financial management, budgeting, and income optimisation;
• Ensuring compliance with CQC standards and NHS contractual requirements;
• Leading HR strategy, workforce development, and succession planning;
• Managing performance across QOF, DES, LES, Enhanced Access, and other contractual frameworks;
• Leading on risk management, information governance, health and safety, and stakeholder engagement with the ICB, PCN, and GP Care Group.

About us

Bethnal Green Health Centre is an established, high-performing GP practice located in Tower Hamlets, East London, serving a large and diverse patient population. The Practice is committed to the delivery of safe, effective, and equitable primary care and maintains a strong culture of governance, quality improvement, and staff development. The Practice operates within the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Network and works closely with the North East London ICB and GP Care Group. We offer a stable and well-structured working environment with a committed multidisciplinary team and strong partnership leadership.

Aim of the Role

The Business Manager will work directly with the Practice Partners to provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and business development for the Practice. The post holder will lead on business planning, governance, financial management, regulatory compliance, workforce strategy, and performance improvement to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, and sustainable primary care services.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Practice Partners, Practice Manager, Deputy Practice Manager, Practice Supervisors, clinical and administrative staff.
External: North East London ICB, Tower Hamlets PCNs, GP Care Group, NHS England, commissioners, and community partner organisations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Business Development

• Work collaboratively with the Practice Partners to develop and implement the Practice's strategic and business plans.
• Identify opportunities for growth, service expansion, and income generation.
• Lead on business transformation projects and service redesign initiatives.
• Support the Practice in responding to changes within the NHS and primary care landscape.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders including the ICB, PCNs, NHS England, commissioners, and community partners.
• Ensure the Practice remains financially sustainable and operationally efficient.

Operational Oversight

• Provide leadership and management oversight to the Practice Manager and Deputy Practice Manager.
• Ensure effective operational systems and processes are in place across all Practice functions.
• Monitor service delivery standards and patient access performance.
• Ensure the Practice operates efficiently and delivers high standards of patient care and customer service.
• Support workforce planning and organisational development.

Clinical Governance and Compliance

• Lead on governance frameworks and ensure compliance with all statutory and NHS contractual requirements.
• Oversee preparation for and compliance with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards and inspections.
• Ensure robust systems are in place for risk management, significant event analysis, complaints management, safeguarding, information governance, and data protection and GDPR compliance.
• Support continuous quality improvement across the Practice.

Human Resources

• Oversee HR strategy, workforce development, and staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, HR policies, and NHS workforce regulations.
• Support recruitment, retention, induction, and succession planning.
• Oversee staff performance management processes including appraisals, disciplinary procedures, and absence management.
• Promote a positive and inclusive working culture.

Performance and Contract Management

• Monitor and improve Practice performance against contractual and NHS targets.
• Lead on delivery and achievement of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), Directed Enhanced Services (DES), Local Enhanced Services (LES), Enhanced Access requirements, the Investment and Impact Fund (IIF), and Extended Hours services.
• Analyse Practice performance data and produce reports for the Partners.
• Develop action plans to improve service delivery and contractual performance.

Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and Practice policies.
• Oversee health and safety risk assessments and incident management processes.
• Ensure the Practice premises are safe, secure, and fit for purpose.
• Lead on business continuity and emergency preparedness planning.

Communication and Leadership

• Provide professional leadership and strategic advice to the Practice Partners.
• Support effective communication across all Practice teams.
• Lead and motivate staff to achieve organisational objectives.
• Chair and participate in meetings as required.
• Prepare reports, business cases, and strategic documents for Partners and stakeholders.

General Responsibilities

All employees are expected to:

• Maintain awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and elevate concerns appropriately, in accordance with relevant statutory guidance and Practice policies.
• Participate in individual performance management and appraisal processes.
• Attend all statutory and mandatory training as required.
• Work within Practice health and safety policies to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Adhere to infection prevention and control policies and guidelines.
• Comply with all Practice policies on confidentiality, data protection, and relevant data protection legislation.
• Be familiar with risk assessment processes and report accidents or incidents promptly.
• Declare any direct or indirect interest in contracts involving the Practice.
• Adhere to Practice equality and diversity policies in all aspects of employment and service delivery.
• Follow the Practice code of conduct for employees and managers.

Review

This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience in a senior management role within NHS primary care or a GP practice setting (more than 5 years).
• Proven track record of strategic planning, business development, and organisational leadership.
• Experience of financial management including budgeting, forecasting, and contract income optimisation.
• Experience of leading and managing teams, including performance management and HR processes.
• Experience of NHS contract management including QOF, DES, LES, and Enhanced Access frameworks.
• Experience of CQC compliance and preparation for inspection.
• Experience of clinical governance, risk management, and information governance frameworks.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement with ICBs, PCNs, NHS England, or commissioners.
• Experience of service redesign or transformation projects in a primary care setting.
• Experience of working directly with GP partners or at board/partnership level.
• Experience of managing multi-disciplinary teams across clinical and administrative functions.

Skills, personal qualities and abilities

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of board-level reports and business cases.
• High level of financial literacy and ability to manage complex budgets.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff at all levels.
• Proficient in NHS systems and digital tools relevant to primary care management.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement.
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Able to work under pressure and manage uncertainty effectively.
• Committed to continuous improvement and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional management qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in management or leadership.

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.