At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational delivery in urgent care services and ensure excellent patient outcomes.
- Company: Join IC24, a leading not-for-profit social enterprise making a difference in healthcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, NHS pension, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; we celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing future leaders and improving patient experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading operational teams and managing performance in fast-paced environments.
The role involves leading operational delivery across urgent care services, including NHS 111 and Contact Centres. This senior leadership position requires close collaboration with Team Managers, clinical leaders, and quality teams to ensure excellent patient outcomes and a great colleague experience.
What you'll focus on:
- Leading high-performing operational teams: Provide visible leadership to Team Managers and operational colleagues, fostering a positive culture focused on accountability, engagement, and service excellence.
- Driving contact centre performance: Monitor operational performance, productivity, and service levels, using data to ensure contractual, quality, and patient care standards are met.
- Delivering continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance processes, patient experience, and operational efficiency, leading quality improvement initiatives.
- Supporting and developing leaders: Coach and develop Team Managers to build capability, confidence, and leadership skills.
- Managing resources effectively: Oversee workforce planning, rota management, and resource allocation to ensure services remain safe and sustainable.
- Building strong stakeholder relationships: Collaborate with clinical, quality, and service delivery teams while representing IC24 in partnership meetings.
- Delivering quality and patient safety: Work closely with Clinical and Quality teams to meet contractual, regulatory, and organisational standards.
- Leading through change: Support the implementation of new pathways, service developments, and operational improvements.
The environment you'll work in:
Our Integrated Urgent Care services operate 24/7, supporting patients with urgent healthcare needs. As an Operations Manager, you will lead in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where performance, quality, patient safety, and colleague wellbeing are priorities.
What matters in this role:
- Experience leading operational teams in a contact centre or fast-paced service environment.
- Experience managing multiple teams, functions, or locations.
- Confidence in using performance data and KPIs to drive improvement.
- Track record of delivering operational performance and quality outcomes.
- Ability to lead and support change initiatives successfully.
- Strong relationship-building skills with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Leadership with integrity, resilience, and a people-first approach.
Most importantly, you should be passionate about delivering excellent services through empowered, engaged, and high-performing teams.
Who are we?
Integrated Care 24 (IC24) is a leading not-for-profit social enterprise providing NHS 111, GP Out of Hours, primary care, and urgent care services to over six million patients across the UK.
Location: Ashford, Kent. Travel between IC24 sites may be required. Hybrid working opportunities may be available depending on service requirements.
What's in it for you?
- Salary of £45,000 per annum.
- 6.6 weeks of annual leave.
- Access to the NHS Pension Scheme.
- Learning and development opportunities to support your career journey.
- Employee Assistance Programme including free 24/7 counselling support.
- Access to health and wellbeing initiatives.
- Blue Light Card discounts.
- Colleague recognition and reward schemes.
- The opportunity to make a real impact within a growing Social Enterprise.
Interviews will be held W/C 14th September 2026.
We celebrate brave ideas and brave people. Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, and satisfactory references.
We have a duty to safeguard, protect, and promote the welfare of those who use our services and our employees. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and encourage applications from ethnic minorities, those with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodiverse individuals, and other under-represented groups. We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong.
If you need any workplace adjustments during the application or interview process, or have accessibility requirements, please contact the recruitment team.
Operations Manager employer: IC24
As a leading provider of urgent care services in Sussex, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for our GPs. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing training opportunities and a focus on work-life balance, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying the benefits of competitive pay and flexible scheduling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Manager at IC24!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like IC24 or be willing to refer you for that Operations Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from IC24 who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Manager role at IC24!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at IC24. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at IC24
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at IC24. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
