Job summary
- Main area
- .
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 374-LC5525
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Cross site
- Town
- Cross site
- Salary
- £53,755 - £60,504 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Service Manager - Community Health and Integrated Care
NHS AfC: Band 8a
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £568 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Job overview
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust: Investing in Rehabilitation and Home First services to deliver ‘The Art of the Possible’
At East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT), we’re not just imagining a better future for healthcare—we’re building it.
We are committed to improving outcomes for patients, and driven by a quality improvement approach we’re rethinking what’s possible for patient care through a bold and forward-looking plan. We are investing in our Acute Therapy, Urgent Community Response, and Virtual Ward services.
As part of our "Art of the Possible" vision, we’re delivering rehabilitation and care that is:
-
Closer to home
-
Faster to access
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Seamlessly coordinated
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Built around our patients
Main duties of the job
Our Home First and Virtual Ward models are at the heart of this transformation—enabling people to recover in their own homes with hospital-level support, surrounded by comfort, dignity, and expert care.
✅ This means:
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Faster recovery and fewer hospital admissions
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Truly personalised care, wherever it’s needed
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Greater independence and better outcomes for our communities
But innovation doesn’t happen without passionate people. That’s why we’re investing not just in services—but in you.
Your Next Opportunity Starts Here
We’re recruiting now for talented individuals to join our expanding teams in both acute and community settings.
We’re looking for:
• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Dietitians
• Registered Nurses
• Support Workers across Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Dietetics & Nursing
Multiple roles available across Agenda for Change bandings, with flexible options to suit your lifestyle and ambitions.
Why Choose ESHT?
✔️ NHS Pension Scheme
✔️ Staff discount schemes
✔️ On-site nurseries
✔️ Access to Occupational Health
✔️ Staff restaurants on acute sites
✔️ Forward-thinking, supportive teams
✔️ A real chance to shape the future of healthcare
This is more than just a job. It's your opportunity to be part of a transformational journey, where innovation meets compassion, and where your ideas and impact truly matter.
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.
Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.
We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Service Manager (SM) will support the GM and Head of AHP in the Clinical Unit in the contribution it will make to the realisation of the Clinical Strategy and future aspirations as the provider of choice for the population of East Sussex. The SM will support the GM and Head of AHP in the development, implementation and maintenance of high quality, safe and sustainable clinical services The SM will provide leadership under the direction of the GM and Head of AHP for non medical and clinical staff within the clinical unit. The SM will ensure complex administrative systems and processes are effective and efficient ensuring bookings, patient flow, clinic and
domiciliary visit management support this and efficient use of resources
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or proven equivalent experience, skills and knowledge demonstrable.
- Recognised leadership / management qualification or equivalent training and experience.
- Budget management qualification or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
- Evidence of ongoing relevant professional training and development to Masters level or equivalent level of knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
- Professional healthcare qualification, with current registration
- Additional qualifications relevant to CU
- ECDL or alternative recognised IT qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- A broad range of in-depth clinical and/ or managerial experience at a senior level in NHS or a similar large complex organisation.
- Demonstrates an ability to critically analyse, problem solve and prioritise. Experience of effective management of health care services
- Evidence of service delivery and of holding others to account
- Proven experience of staff management
- Experience of managing budgets.
Desirable criteria
- Relevant experience in a similar role in NHS
- Experience of undertaking service improvement audit
- Previous experience of project management
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver effectively
- Working knowledge of structure, functions, culture and values of NHS and relationship other agencies particularly in portfolio areas
- Innovative leader able to inspire and motivate teams and individuals to the benefit of organisation, staff and patients
- Well organised critical thinker who is able to organise and direct others
- Able to present complex information on professional and governance issues to colleagues and those from other professions; management teams, patient and public
- Evidence of excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to deal with challenging situations with tact and diplomacy
- Self motivated with ability to motivate others
Desirable criteria
- Enhanced skills in clinical specialty.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Chris Spokes
- Job title
- General manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07811 851042
- Additional information
Want to chat before you apply? Reach out to our friendly team:
📩 Nigel Ellens, Service Manager – Acute Therapy: [email protected]
📩 Claire Lockwood, Service Manager – Urgent Community Response: [email protected]
📩 Amy Marsden, Service Manager – Virtual Ward: [email protected]
📩 Laura Jones, Head of SLT: [email protected]
📩 Hannah Perry, Service Manager – Dietetics: [email protected]
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