Assistant Service Delivery Manager - Dermatology & Neurology in Harlow

Job overview

We are seeking an organised and proactive Assistant Service Delivery Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operational management of the Dermatology & Neurology service, supporting high‑quality, timely care for patients across a range of specialist pathways.

Working closely with the clinical teams and Service Delivery Manager you will ensure the effective running of outpatient clinics, 2‑week‑wait skin cancer pathways, dermatology procedures, biologics services and follow‑up care. You will oversee administrative teams, manage rotas, and ensure efficient patient flow from referral through to treatment.

Main duties of the job

A key element of the role is the management of medical staffing rotas, ensuring appropriate consultant and junior doctor cover is in place to maintain a safe, efficient and responsive Dermatology & Neurology services. You will work closely with clinical teams to proactively address staffing gaps, capacity pressures and service risks.

You will monitor and support delivery against RTT and cancer targets, using performance data to identify bottlenecks, support demand and capacity planning, and implement service improvements. Close collaboration with clinicians and booking teams will be essential to ensure skin cancer pathways, biologics monitoring and procedure lists run safely and efficiently.

The role includes line management of Dermatology & Neurology administrative teams, leading recruitment, appraisals, training and wellbeing, and promoting a compassionate, inclusive culture of accountability and continuous improvement. You will also support financial management, cost improvement initiatives and robust clinical governance arrangements, including the management of incidents and complaints.

This role is ideal for an experienced operational manager with strong leadership, organisational and problem‑solving skills, who is passionate about improving patient pathways and outcomes in line with Trust values and NHS leadership standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Be responsible for the day‑to‑day operational management of the Dermatology & Neurology service, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with Trust objectives.
• Oversee the operational delivery of Dermatology & Neurology outpatient clinics, procedures, biologics services, 2‑week‑wait skin cancer pathways and follow‑up activity, ensuring timely access and effective patient flow.
• Manage medical staffing rotas, ensuring appropriate consultant and junior doctor cover is maintained to deliver a safe and effective service at all times.
• Monitor and support delivery against national and local performance targets, including RTT and Cancer Waiting Time standards, escalating risks and issues appropriately.
• Line manage Dermatology & Neurology administrative teams, including responsibility for recruitment, appraisal, performance management, training, sickness absence and staff rotas.
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams to identify and address pathway bottlenecks, support demand and capacity planning, and implement service improvements.
• Support robust clinical governance arrangements, including the investigation and follow‑up of incidents, complaints and action plans relating to the service.
• Contribute to financial management of the service, supporting income recovery, cost control and delivery of agreed cost improvement initiatives.
• Ensure accurate collection, validation and reporting of activity and performance data to support operational and strategic decision‑making.
• Promote and demonstrate Trust values, supporting a positive, inclusive and compassionate working culture and adherence to Trust policies and procedures.

For an informal discussion please contact Vera Pinto.