Specialist Operational Manager in Ipswich, Suffolk

Job summaryAt NSFT, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to people affected by eating disorders. We recognise the importance of delivering specialist, person-centred support that promotes recovery and enables individuals to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are excited to recruit an Operational Manager to lead and support this important area of care.

We're seeking a enthusiastic and passionate individual for this operational leadership role with experience in eating disorders and/or mental health. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of a specialist service, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and recovery-focused care for individuals experiencing eating disorders.

You will work collaboratively with patients, families and carers, multidisciplinary colleagues, and wider system partners to deliver joined-up care pathways and improve service provision. You will bring a positive and innovative approach to leadership, embracing opportunities for service development, quality improvement and transformation.

You will have previous operations management experience and be committed to continuous professional development, service evaluation, and delivering meaningful outcomes that reflect the needs and experiences of our service users. You will play a key role in supporting staff wellbeing, fostering a positive team culture, and ensuring the service continues to meet the highest standards of care.

Main duties of the jobLead a community-based, recovery-orientated mental health team ensuring that all resources, including staff, are used and monitored effectively while remaining within an agreed budget. Actively participate in planning and developing the team, to provide service users with a person-centred approach relevant to their needs and a recovery focus. Exercise your own judgement in complex situations relating to service delivery or organisational matters and have a high level of autonomy day to day to make the necessary decisions.

Foster effective links and partnerships, both internally and externally, to deliver safe care to a cohort of patients with many complex health and social needs. To actively monitor performance, quality, safety and service development within their service areas, in line with Locality and Trust-wide policies and protocols. Lead and support strategic and operational planning for specialist service areas within the locality.

Ensure effective day-to-day management of operational and clinical services. Provide strong leadership to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and patient-centred services. About usAt Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

DetailsDate posted07 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary
57,528 to 64,750 a year

gross per annum (pro rata)

ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number246-WSU8327310Job locationsHellesden NorwichNorfolk/ SuffolkNR6 5BEUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!Interview dates are yet to be set; you will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesPlease find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!Interview dates are yet to be set; you will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

EssentialEducation to degree level or evidence of sound intellectual ability and ongoing personal development at senior management levelRecognised post graduate management qualification or equivalent experience. DesirableExperience of managing health and social care integrated services.

Experience

EssentialSignificant experience working within and Managing clinical servicesSignificant general and operational management experience to include the management of a large multi-disciplinary group of staff - part of which to have been in the NHSDesirableExtensive experience of managing services at a senior level

Skills

EssentialA proven record of success in managing significant operational / strategic change whilst also developing and maintaining the provision of a high quality service, within a clinical setting, with multidisciplinary teams

Knowledge

EssentialKnowledge of the philosophy, principles and national drivers underpinning services for people with mental health problems.
Person Specification

Qualifications

EssentialEducation to degree level or evidence of sound intellectual ability and ongoing personal development at senior management levelRecognised post graduate management qualification or equivalent experience. DesirableExperience of managing health and social care integrated services.

Experience

EssentialSignificant experience working within and Managing clinical servicesSignificant general and operational management experience to include the management of a large multi-disciplinary group of staff - part of which to have been in the NHSDesirableExtensive experience of managing services at a senior level

Skills

EssentialA proven record of success in managing significant operational / strategic change whilst also developing and maintaining the provision of a high quality service, within a clinical setting, with multidisciplinary teams

Knowledge

EssentialKnowledge of the philosophy, principles and national drivers underpinning services for people with mental health problems.

Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.

Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.

Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer nameNorfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS TrustAddressHellesden NorwichNorfolk/ SuffolkNR6 5BEUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameNorfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS TrustAddressHellesden NorwichNorfolk/ SuffolkNR6 5BEUnited KingdomEmployer's website