Main area Service Development Manager - Automation Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 8a Contract Fixed term: 13 months (Contract end date 14 Jan 2028) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 391-RFL-8340676
Employer NLPSS Employer type NHS Site Enfield Civic Centre Town Enfield Salary £63,665 - £70,887 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59
Band 8a Service Development Manager
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
NLPSS is seeking an experienced manager with a background in service improvement, workforce technology and/or digital transformation to lead and develop its award-winning digital HR and automation services within a complex multi-organisation NHS shared service environment.
This is a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover opportunity at a pivotal point in the evolution of our service. NLPSS has recently entered a new strategic partnership with DXC Technology, creating an exciting opportunity to shape the future operating model for automation, AI and digital workforce solutions across our NHS customer base.
We are looking for an experienced manager who can combine service leadership, stakeholder engagement, supplier management and strategic service development within a specialist HR and digital environment.
The successful candidate will lead a small team responsible for a portfolio of robotic process automation (RPA) services supporting key HR functions including recruitment, payroll and medical workforce. They will work closely with senior NHS stakeholders, partner organisations and DXC Technology to ensure services remain effective, deliver measurable benefits and support continued innovation.
The role would particularly suit candidates with experience of digital HR services, shared services, automation, transformation, service management, supplier management, business change or technology-enabled service improvement.As the NHS continues to modernise workforce services through the Transforming People Services agenda, this role offers a unique opportunity to build experience across HR, digital technology and transformation in an increasingly high-demand field.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will act as the vital link managing the interface between the operational services, technical services, and external clients, which include partner NHS Trusts. Managing a small team, the primary focus will be ensuring the entire automation portfolio meets stringent performance targets, remains efficient, resilient, and supports the business goals of improving employee experience while reducing service cost.
In addition to ensuring day to day service delivery the manager will develop and expand the scope and scale of the current portfolio. This involves working with the senior management team and NHS partners to explore new automation opportunities and identifying optimisations for innovation across all service areas, such as recruitment, payroll, medical workforce and occupational health.
As one of the organisation's most crucial and creative posts this is a fundamental role in our team, with wide internal and external profile, at the forefront of innovating our corporate services. The position demands a professional who can blend technical automation oversight with strategic customer relationship management. You’ll need to work at pace and scale, pushing the boundaries with colleagues, stakeholders and customers alike in your determination to deliver a digitally-enabled, cost-effective, outstanding employee experience at scale.
Working for our organisation
North London Partners Shared Services is an innovative NHS business unit dedicated to providing corporate services at scale across London. A partnership of 8 Trusts, our vision is to deliver a ‘excellent patient care through an outstanding employee experience’.
We need the most innovative, creative and caring people from outside and inside the NHS to deliver our mission to redefine our corporate services around the user experience, using technology to support innovation in service delivery.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key responsibilities
- Lead the management and development of the award-winning automation services across multiple corporate service lines.
- Manage the complex interface between the operational service, technical services, and partner NHS Trusts.
- Oversee existing RPA processes to ensure the portfolio meets performance targets, remains highly efficient, resilient, and cost effective.
- Identify RPA optimisations and find new opportunities to maintain and grow the automation user base.
- Lead and guide teams and partner organisations through the implementation of automation and other complex technology transitions and system adoptions.
- Drive technical innovation by collaborating with partner DXC Technology to integrate new tools like Artificial Intelligence.
- Provide change governance & performance management through monitoring of service level agreements (SLAs), ensure robust key performance indicators (KPIs) are met, and maintain strict NHS digital governance standards.
About you
- Proven professional experience operating within a complex corporate shared service environment.
- Excellent team leadership and line management skills
- Deep process knowledge in recruitment, occupational health, medical workforce, payroll, pensions, or HR administration.
- Strong technical background in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology from any software vendor.
- Demonstrated expertise in project management and service management methodologies.
- Commercial and creative mindset capable of identifying automated solutions and expanding external client portfolios.
This role would be ideal for individuals seeking secondment, or fixed-term leadership position within digital transformation and service improvement.
Note that the role is based at the NLPSS corporate offices in Enfield and the successful candidate will be expected to be on site at least three days a week and more for the first six weeks during the initial period.
Person specification
Education, qualifications and experience
- Experience of operating within a complex corporate shared service environment
- Experience in scoping, developing and managing robotic process automation business designs and delivery
- Significant and relevant experience of leading, delivering and implementing service change and improvements
- Project management qualification or demonstrable understanding and experience of project management principles
- Significant specialist knowledge and experience in NHS recruitment, occupational health, medical workforce and payroll, pensions and HR admin
- Educated to Master’s degree level, or equivalent skills, knowledge and experience and a track record of sustained level of outstanding achievement
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and colleagues
- Experience of drafting and presenting business cases and customer proposals
Communication
- Experience in handling cross organisational stakeholders
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Name Michael Tresise Job title Service Development Director Email address michael.tresise@nhs.net
If you have problems applying, contact
Address RFL
Telephone If you have any queries, please contact NLPSS Recruitment Helpdesk tel. 020 3758 2060
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Band 8a Service Development Manager employer: NLPSS
North London Partners Shared Services is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the heart of north central London, we offer our staff access to comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring they can thrive in their roles while contributing to the delivery of high-quality NHS services. Our commitment to integrity and transparency in recruitment processes further enhances our reputation as a trusted and rewarding workplace for those seeking meaningful careers in healthcare.
