Practice Business Manager

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of practice operations
• Lead on financial planning, budgeting, and income optimisation
• Oversee workforce planning, HR management, and staff development
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks including CQC standards
• Drive quality improvement, performance management, and service delivery
• Develop and implement business strategies aligned with practice goals
• Manage contracts, procurement, and partnership working (e.g. PCN, ICB)
• Support digital transformation and innovation within the practice

Job Purpose

The Practice Business Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic, operational, financial, and organisational leadership across the practice. The post holder will ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, and sustainable primary care services, whilst driving innovation, service transformation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Service Development
   • Lead the development, implementation, and delivery of the practice's strategic vision and business objectives.
   • Drive innovation, transformation, and service redesign to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
   • Identify opportunities for growth, partnership working, and service expansion.
   • Support the practice's involvement within the PCN, ICB, and wider healthcare system.
   • Lead organisational change programmes and continuous improvement initiatives.
   • Ensure the practice remains responsive to national, regional, and local healthcare priorities.
2. Financial and Resource Management
   • Hold overall responsibility for the effective management of practice finances and resources.
   • Lead annual budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and financial governance processes.
   • Monitor income and expenditure and provide regular financial reports to GP Partners.
   • Maximise practice income through optimisation of contractual requirements, including QOF, DES, Enhanced Services, and other commissioned services.
   • Ensure robust procurement, contract management, and value-for-money arrangements are in place.
   • Identify financial risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
3. Workforce and Organisational Development
   • Develop and implement the practice workforce strategy and succession planning framework.
   • Lead all aspects of human resource management, including recruitment, retention, performance management, and employee relations.
   • Foster a positive organisational culture that promotes staff engagement, wellbeing, and inclusion.
   • Ensure compliance with employment legislation and best practice HR standards.
   • Support staff development, training, and leadership programmes.
   • Lead organisational development initiatives to support service delivery and workforce sustainability.
4. Governance, Risk and Compliance
   • Ensure compliance with all Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards and regulatory requirements.
   • Lead the practice governance framework, ensuring robust systems of assurance and accountability.
   • Maintain effective risk management processes and organisational risk registers.
   • Oversee safeguarding arrangements and ensure statutory responsibilities are fulfilled.
   • Lead investigations relating to incidents, complaints, significant events, and learning reviews.
   • Ensure policies, procedures, and governance systems remain current and compliant.
5. Operational Management
   • Provide overall leadership for the day-to-day operational management of the practice.
   • Ensure efficient and effective delivery of clinical and non-clinical services.
   • Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational performance measures.
   • Ensure effective use of practice systems, digital solutions, and business processes.
   • Lead service planning, capacity management, and business continuity arrangements.
   • Support the achievement of contractual, quality, and patient experience objectives.

Professional Responsibilities

Confidentiality

The post holder must:

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient, staff, and organisational information.
• Comply with GDPR, Data Protection legislation, Caldicott Principles, and Information Governance requirements.
• Ensure confidential information is handled securely and appropriately at all times.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The post holder must:

• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery and employment practices.
• Ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Foster an environment that values and respects diversity.

Health and Safety

The post holder must:

• Ensure compliance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation and policies.
• Promote a safe working environment for staff, patients, and visitors.
• Participate in risk assessments and health and safety initiatives.

Safeguarding

The post holder must:

• Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented effectively.
• Maintain appropriate safeguarding training and knowledge.
• Promote a culture that prioritises the welfare and protection of vulnerable individuals.

Information Governance

The post holder must:

• Maintain high standards of information security and data protection.
• Ensure compliance with NHS Information Governance requirements.
• Promote secure handling, storage, and sharing of information.

General

This job description outlines the principal duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended, in consultation with the post holder, to reflect changing organisational needs and service requirements. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of NHS systems, primary care, and commissioning
• Knowledge of governance, risk management, and CQC requirements
• Knowledge of GP contracts (GMS/PMS/APMS) and funding streams
• Understanding of digital transformation in primary care

Personal Attributes

• Professional, resilient, and highly motivated
• Ability to work autonomously with high level of accountability
• Commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality care
• Integrity, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

• Significant senior management experience in healthcare or NHS setting
• Proven experience of strategic leadership and service development
• Experience managing substantial budgets and financial planning
• Experience of HR management, workforce planning, and organisational change
• Experience at Practice Manager or Practice Business Manager level in General Practice
• Experience working across PCN / ICB structures
• Experience of business case development
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams

Skills

• Excellent leadership and people management skills
• Strong financial and analytical skills
• Ability to think strategically and deliver organisational objectives
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage complex workloads and competing priorities
• Advanced negotiation and influencing skills

Other Requirements

• Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and information governance
• Commitment to safeguarding and patient safety
• Willingness to undertake ongoing professional development

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.