Practice Manager in Ipswich

Salary

Competitive, dependent on experience

Cardinal Medical Practice is a thriving, forward-thinking training practice in Ipswich, proud of its patient‑friendly and patient‑focused culture and of a working environment in which staff are genuinely supported to thrive.

Our four GP Partners are hardworking, forward‑thinking clinicians committed to developing and delivering ever better patient care, and who now wish to appoint an experienced, ambitious and values‑driven Practice Manager to provide the strategic leadership, guidance and accountability that will take the practice further still.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role at an exciting stage of the practice’s development.

You will work closely with the Partners‑providing direct support to and management of our well established and experienced Operations Manager, thus strengthening our senior management team.

Your ongoing Management support will also allow and enable clinicians to focus on providing excellent patient care.

Cardinal Medical Practice has recently been commended in the Research and innovation category at The Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards — recognition that reflects the forward‑thinking delivery models we are proud to be adopting, and the ambition we are looking for in our next Manager.

• In This Role You Will…
• Provide strategic advice, direction and hands‑on leadership support to our four GP Partners, helping translate their vision into deliverable strategic plans.
• Support, mentor and hold accountability for our established Operations Manager, strengthening the senior management team.
• Ensure the practice consistently meets and exceeds CQC and contractual compliance requirements.
• Lead on estates, business continuity and organisational resilience.
• Champion digital transformation and quality improvement, building on the innovative approaches already earning external recognition.
• Administer Wolsey PCN matters and support our Clinical Director, while building strong relationships with the ICB and wider system partners.
• Help protect and grow a supportive, patient‑friendly culture in which staff can thrive.

Main Duties of the Job

Our duties are grouped under seven key themes, reflecting the breadth and strategic nature of the role:

• Strategic Leadership & Partner Support
• Provide strategic advice, guidance and hands‑on leadership to the four GP Partners, who are highly committed, hardworking clinicians reliant on strong strategic direction so they can focus on delivering excellent patient care.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the partnership, translating strategic objectives into practical, deliverable plans across workforce, finance and estates.
• Support and hold accountability for the established Operations Manager, providing clear mentorship and a framework for shared decision‑making across the senior management
• Governance, Compliance & Risk
• Ensure the practice consistently meets CQC standards and all contractual obligations, always maintaining inspection‑ready systems, policies and evidence.
• Help support partners with information governance, health and safety, safeguarding oversight and risk registers, embedding robust policies across the whole team.
• Maintain oversight of complaints, significant events and clinical governance processes, working closely with clinical leads to drive learning and improvement.
• Support the partners and the outsourced practice finance function, ensuring long‑term sustainability and value for money.
• Lead estates management, including current premises development, and health and safety compliance across all practice sites.
• Develop and maintain robust business continuity plans so the practice remains resilient.
• Workforce & Operational Management
• Support the professional development of the Operations Manager and wider administrative team leads, embedding a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
• Provide recruitment oversight and HR leadership that promote a supportive, patient‑friendly and staff‑friendly working environment.
• Maintain your own Professional Development with the support of the Partners, undertaking self‑reflection, appraisals and peer support from colleagues including other local Practice Managers.
• Transformation & Quality Improvement
• Champion forward‑thinking delivery models adding to those which have already brought Cardinal Medical Practice external recognition
• Lead quality improvement initiatives, using data and patient feedback to drive measurable improvements in care, access and efficiency.
• Foster a culture of innovation across the whole team, encouraging new ideas from clinical and non‑clinical colleagues alike.
• PCN & External Partnership Working
• Administer and manage Wolsey PCN, supporting the Clinical Director in delivering PCN objectives and workforce integration.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS England and other external stakeholders and partner practices.
• Represent Cardinal Medical Practice in local and system‑wide forums, ensuring the practice’s voice is heard in wider strategic decision‑making.
• Culture, Patient Experience & Continuous Improvement
• Promote and protect a patient‑friendly, patient‑focused culture, ensuring patient experience and access remain central to every operational decision.
• Build and sustain a supportive, staff‑friendly environment where the whole team can thrive, reflecting the practice’s strong reputation as a training practice.
• Lead continuous improvement across all areas of practice, embedding the values and ambition that have seen Cardinal Medical Practice go from strength to strength.

About Us — Why Join Cardinal Medical Practice?

Cardinal Medical Practice is a busy, well‑regarded training practice in Ipswich with a genuine commitment to patient care, teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement.

There has never been a more exciting time to join us

• A thriving training practice — patient‑friendly, patient‑focused, and genuinely committed to a supportive environment in which staff can thrive.
• Recently commended for Research and Innovation at the Norfolk and Suffolk Health and Care Awards.
• A practice going from strength to strength, with forward‑thinking delivery models shaping the future of primary care locally.
• Four hardworking, committed GP Partners who value strong strategic guidance and are ready to invest in the right leader and who are backed by a strong administrative and clinical team, with a wealth of experience covering varied roles.
• An experienced Operations Manager already in post, enabling you to lead and support an already established senior team.
• A genuine opportunity to shape strategy and leave a legacy across a practice already recognised for excellence.

Job Description

• Job Title
• Practice Manager
• Accountable to
• The GP Partners of Cardinal Medical Practice
• Responsible for

The Operations Manager, and, via delegated line management, the wider non‑clinical practice team leads

Purpose of the Role

To provide strategic and operational leadership across all non‑clinical services at Cardinal Medical Practice, supporting the Partners in delivering sustainable, high‑quality, patient‑centred primary care.

The post holder will provide visible, confident leadership; develop resilient systems and processes; ensure full regulatory and contractual compliance; and support the continued growth and innovation that have made Cardinal Medical Practice an award‑recognised, forward‑thinking training practice.

• Key Working Relationships
• GP Partners — day‑to‑day strategic and operational partnership
• Operations Manager — direct line management, mentorship and accountability
• Wider practice team — clinical and non‑clinical staff at all levels
• Wolsey PCN Clinical Director and PCN team
• Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS England and other system partners
• Patients and patient participation groups

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and day‑to‑day operational oversight of the practice.
• Support delivery of the practice’s strategy and business plan, working closely with the Partners.
• Help partners lead on finance, governance, workforce and estates oversight.
• Ensure CQC readiness, effective risk management and robust business continuity arrangements.
• Support, develop and hold to account the Operations Manager and members of the Senior team.
• Lead relationships with Wolsey PCN, the ICB and partner organisations.
• Drive digital transformation, quality improvement and service redesign.
• Promote a positive culture focused on teamwork, staff wellbeing and continuous improvement.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant senior management experience within NHS primary care or a comparable healthcare setting
• Experience leading or supporting a management team and a wide and varied workforce.
• Experience within a GP training practice
• Experience of PCN administration or support
• Experience leading transformation or quality improvement programmes
• Experience of organisational change or practice mergers

Qualifications

• Educated to A level or degree, or equivalent experience
• Evidence of ongoing relevant professional development
• Management or leadership qualification (e. g. Diploma in Practice Management, ILM, CMI)
• Relevant qualification in healthcare management
• Knowledge
• Sound knowledge of the GMS/PMS contract, CQC requirements and the primary care regulatory framework
• Knowledge of PCN structures and the Network Contract DES
• Understanding of clinical systems (Systm One)
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage confidently with Partners, staff, patients and external stakeholders
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• Sound financial and analytical skills
• Confident IT literacy across core practice and office systems
• Change management and service redesign skills
• Negotiation and influencing skills at system level
• Personal Attributes
• A confident, approachable leader who inspires trust and confidence
• Resilient, adaptable and calm under pressure
• Values‑driven, with a genuine commitment to patient care and staff wellbeing
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism
• A collaborative, hands‑on style that complements a supportive practice culture
• A track record of championing innovation and continuous improvement
• Ability to provide clear strategic direction and guidance to Partners and senior colleagues
• Ability to mentor, support and hold accountability for an established experienced Operations Manager
• Skilled at building high‑performing, motivated teams
• Ability to represent the practice effectively at PCN and ICB level
• Experience of leading organisational change or restructuring
• A track record of driving award‑recognised innovation and quality improvement

Cardinal Medical Practice is committed to safer recruitment practice, and pre‑employment checks are undertaken in accordance with current legislation and guidance.

This job description reflects current priorities and is subject to review and amendment in consultation with the post holder.

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