Practice Operations Manager

Job summary Principal Medical Limited (PML) is seeking an experienced and senior Operations Manager to lead the operational performance of a busy general practice site in Oxfordshire. This is a substantive senior leadership role, carrying full accountability for the day-to-day running of the practice, workforce performance, financial oversight, and compliance. The postholder will have line management responsibility for the practice level management team, including the Deputy Operations Manager where in post.
Main duties of the job We are looking to appoint an experienced Operations Manager who is motivated, self directed, and committed to delivering high quality operational services in a complex primary care environment.
Payroll, Finance, Procurement, and HR Support are centralised, allowing this role to focus fully on operational leadership on the ground. The postholder is accountable for overall practice performance, with direct line management of the practice level management team, working closely with clinical leads, PML central functions, and external partners.
Key responsibilities include:
Accountability for day-to-day operational performance across all practice functions
Direct line management of the practice level management team, including workforce planning, staff performance, and development, in partnership with PML's HR function
Overseeing local financial performance, including budget monitoring and expenditure control, reporting into PML's finance function
Ensuring compliance with CQC requirements, NHS contractual obligations, and PML governance standards
Driving quality improvement and patient experience initiatives with clinical leads
Managing and developing the wider operations team, supporting professional growth
Leading practice level projects and change programmes, linking the site with PML central functions
Sitting on the Primary Care Network Board, supporting PCN colleagues on behalf of the practice
Contributing to federation wide operational development and shared learning, Job description Job responsibilities We are looking for an Operations Manager who is able to provide senior operational leadership and hold full accountability for practice performance. This includes leading a multidisciplinary non-clinical team, supporting clinical governance, overseeing financial and workforce functions in partnership with PML's centralised teams, and working in close partnership with PML's Transformation Directorate to deliver continuous improvement. Where a Deputy Operations Manager is in post, the Operations Manager will provide leadership, delegation, and development of that role as part of the practice's senior team., Job responsibilities We are looking for an Operations Manager who is able to provide senior operational leadership and hold full accountability for practice performance. This includes leading a multidisciplinary non-clinical team, supporting clinical governance, overseeing financial and workforce functions in partnership with PML's centralised teams, and working in close partnership with PML's Transformation Directorate to deliver continuous improvement. Where a Deputy Operations Manager is in post, the Operations Manager will provide leadership, delegation, and development of that role as part of the practice's senior team.

The right candidate will have experience managing their own operational portfolio, leading teams through change, and working within the regulatory and contractual frameworks that govern general practice., The right candidate will have experience managing their own operational portfolio, leading teams through change, and working within the regulatory and contractual frameworks that govern general practice.

Person Specification Experience Essential Senior management experience in general practice, primary care, or the wider NHS
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams including performance, development, and HR processes
Budget management and financial oversight in a healthcare or public sector setting
Experience working across organisational boundaries with multiple stakeholders

Desirable Experience working within a GP federation or at scale primary care organisation
Experience leading or contributing to transformation, change, or improvement programmes

Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in a complex and pressured environment
Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to interpret performance data
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including reporting to senior leadership
Ability to manage competing priorities, work at pace, and deliver to deadlines
Confident in leading difficult conversations and managing conflict constructively
Ability to plan and deliver projects or workstreams with clear outcomes
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools used in practice management

Knowledge Essential Strong working knowledge of GP operations including workforce, appointments, and compliance
Familiarity with CQC standards and the inspection and registration framework
Understanding of NHS primary care contractual frameworks including GMS, PMS, or APMS
Understanding of information governance, data protection, and Caldicott principles

Desirable Knowledge of QOF, enhanced services, and primary care performance metrics
Familiarity with general practice clinical and operational systems such as EMIS, SystmOne, or Accurx

Personal Attributes Essential Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguous or rapidly changing environments
Committed to high standards of patient care and staff wellbeing
Collaborative approach with the ability to build trust across clinical and non-clinical teams
Proactive and self-directed, capable of identifying problems and acting without being prompted
Alignment with PML's values of quality, sustainability, and community focused care

Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
Evidence of continued professional development in a relevant field

Desirable Management or leadership qualification at postgraduate level or equivalent
Project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or equivalent, Experience Essential Senior management experience in general practice, primary care, or the wider NHS
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams including performance, development, and HR processes
Budget management and financial oversight in a healthcare or public sector setting
Experience working across organisational boundaries with multiple stakeholders

Desirable Experience working within a GP federation or at scale primary care organisation
Experience leading or contributing to transformation, change, or improvement programmes

Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams in a complex and pressured environment
Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to interpret performance data
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including reporting to senior leadership
Ability to manage competing priorities, work at pace, and deliver to deadlines
Confident in leading difficult conversations and managing conflict constructively
Ability to plan and deliver projects or workstreams with clear outcomes
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools used in practice management

Knowledge Essential Strong working knowledge of GP operations including workforce, appointments, and compliance
Familiarity with CQC standards and the inspection and registration framework
Understanding of NHS primary care contractual frameworks including GMS, PMS, or APMS
Understanding of information governance, data protection, and Caldicott principles

Desirable Knowledge of QOF, enhanced services, and primary care performance metrics
Familiarity with general practice clinical and operational systems such as EMIS, SystmOne, or Accurx

Personal Attributes Essential Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in ambiguous or rapidly changing environments
Committed to high standards of patient care and staff wellbeing
Collaborative approach with the ability to build trust across clinical and non-clinical teams
Proactive and self-directed, capable of identifying problems and acting without being prompted
Alignment with PML's values of quality, sustainability, and community focused care

Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
Evidence of continued professional development in a relevant field

Desirable Management or leadership qualification at postgraduate level or equivalent
Project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or equivalent

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

About us PML is a successful not for profit, GP led organisation providing NHS community and primary care services to patients across Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. We have evolved as an NHS healthcare provider since 2004 and have grown significantly in recent years, now employing around 300 staff with a turnover of circa 16 million. PML holds GMS contracts and operates as a GP federation representing approximately 50 GP practices covering around 650,000 patients.