Service Development Manager - Commissioning

Service Development Manager – Commissioning

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Job Summary

OTDT is implementing changes to the donation and retrieval pathway, elements of which are underpinned by the UK Commissioning Team and their contracts/agreements with Providers. This role offers an opportunity to a passionate individual to support the implementation of these changes, while also gaining experience of Commissioning and Service Development.

A key part of the role is to oversee the DCERT system and to support its users. The postholder will be expected to build relationships with users of the system, ensuring any changes to LIMs are captured and reflected in the DCERT system.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will be responsible for. Your responsibilities will include:

• Service Development Manager, – as a member of the Commissioning Team has responsibility to work with key stakeholders and senior staff within the OTDT Directorate to ensure the delivery of outputs aligned within the strategic and business objectives, managing these outputs to timely and successful conclusions and implementation.
• There will be considerable autonomy and responsibility for specific initiatives associated with the commissioned services, as well as redesigning and future proofing capacity and capability within the Deceased Donor Characterisation Service
• The postholder is responsible for the management of the Donor Characterisation Electronic Results Transfer (DCERT) IT system, ensuring the component services of DCERT are operating to required service levels for Donor Characterisation Laboratories and OTDT Users of DCERT. This will require liaison with the laboratories, to ensure they have all systems, workforce and processes in place to implement DCERT.
• There is a requirement to manage the interface between NHSBT and testing laboratories pertaining to DCERT, and to manage the relationship between NHSBT and DCERT component service providers, covering both internal (DDTS) and external service providers, for example Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Providers.
• The post holder must exercise a high degree of independent judgement and initiative, be able to work under pressure and have the ability to prioritise their own workload.
• They will provide advice / and use their initiative to develop problem solving situations that arise from the development of projects, programmes, working groups, and from DCERT.
• The post holder will be accountable for ensuring the delivery of initiatives, short life working groups and specific tasks as they arise and will be seen to be credible and possess in-depth knowledge and understanding of Service Development, Donor Characterisation, DCERT, and of organ donation and retrieval services.
• The post holder will work closely with stakeholders to deliver key Commissioning outputs arising from Projects and Programmes.
• The post holder will also ensure that there is accurate and open communication and co-ordination with a range of organisations, Providers and individuals; taking into account appropriate language and methods of communication should they experience resistance. They will also undertake regular audits, drafting correspondence and papers and the management of specific tasks, leading reporting and analysis across a range of specialties, functions and projects.
• The post holder will be required to identify and undertake work on their own initiative, handle competing workload demands working independently.
• To succeed in this role, the post holder will need to develop and maintain working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, engaging with them to support the achievement of objectives, ensuring accountability and delivery of performance measures across a range of projects, programmes and short life working groups as required.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Significant experience of successfully working in a politically sensitive environment.
• Knowledge of the deceased donor characterisation processes and pathways (virology and HLA), LIMs and the SN role
• Knowledge of the Commissioning Pathways, and the unique Transplantation Commissioning Landscape
• Experience of working in a clinicianl environment at a senior level
• Thorough understanding of the organ and tissue donation processes and key challenges, and NHSBT’s role in organ donation in the United Kingdom.
• Understanding of relevant UK legislation e.g. Human Tissue Act, Data Protection Act, and Freedom of Information Act
• Experience of managing change and influencing medical consultant staff.
• Broad understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare community.
• Understanding of the Procurement Regulations and knowledge of how these impact upon commissioners and providers.

Qualifications And Training

• Qualification in management (i.e. Master’s degree or equivalent clinical qualification Alternatively, significant work experience at a similar level providing expert knowledge in subject field
• Project Management qualification or / and experience.
• Awareness of current professional issues and developments within organ donation, and the NHS.
• Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD).

About Us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.

By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference – Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we\’ll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to become a member of the commissioning team, and to develop a greater understanding of the commissioning systems and processes with a view to future development within the team
• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
• We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 14th September 2025.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on 26th/29th or 30th September

For informal enquiries please contact –

Name: Tara Dunn, Recruitment Lead, tara.dunn@nhsbt.nhs.uk