About this role
Job summary
After more than 20 years at Golden Valley Surgery, our highly valued Practice Manager will be leaving us in early 2027. We are therefore looking for an exceptional Practice Manager to join us and help shape the next chapter of our practice.
Golden Valley Surgery is a friendly, rural dispensing GP practice caring for approximately 5,800 patients from two surgeries in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside. We believe strongly in traditional family medicine, continuity of care and providing a genuinely personal service to our patients, while embracing new ideas and technology where they improve care or make working life better for our team.
We are looking for an experienced, confident and capable leader who is approachable, practical and solutions-focused. You will work closely with the partners and lead an experienced management team, with real scope to influence how the practice develops.
Previous general practice or NHS experience would be an advantage, but is not essential. Excellent leadership and management skills matter most to us.
Our current Practice Manager will remain with us until early 2027, allowing plenty of time for a comprehensive handover and a supported transition into the role.
Main duties of the job
The Practice Manager will provide overall operational and business leadership for Golden Valley Surgery, working closely with the partners to ensure the safe, effective and sustainable running of the practice across both sites.
You will lead our experienced management team and wider workforce, maintaining oversight of day-to-day operations while ensuring agreed priorities are translated into practical delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, supporting and developing the practice team, including recruitment, workforce planning, HR and staff development.
- Maintaining oversight of staffing, operational pressures and effective day-to-day running of both surgery sites.
- Overseeing practice finances, income, expenditure and business processes, and supporting the partners with longer-term business planning.
- Ensuring effective systems are in place to meet NHS contractual, CQC, governance and regulatory requirements.
- Overseeing premises, IT, business continuity and the operational aspects of our dispensing service.
- Working with the partners and wider team to develop services, improve systems and introduce new ways of working.
- Maintaining effective relationships with our PCN, ICB, neighbouring practices and other external organisations.
You will be supported by an experienced Deputy Practice Manager, Operations Lead and Dispensary Manager, with responsibilities delegated appropriately while you retain overall operational oversight.
About us
Golden Valley Surgery is a friendly, independent rural dispensing practice caring for approximately 5,800 patients from our surgeries in Ewyas Harold and Peterchurch.
We have an experienced multidisciplinary team including GPs, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, nursing and healthcare teams, pharmacist, dispensary, reception and administrative staff, supported by an experienced Deputy Practice Manager, Operations Lead and Dispensary Manager. We are also a teaching practice and enjoy supporting the next generation of clinicians.
We are a close-knit team with a strong work ethic and a shared commitment to providing high-quality, personal care. We value continuity, teamwork and knowing our patients well. We also believe that a good working environment matters: we want people to feel supported, valued and able to contribute ideas about how we can do things better.
As a smaller practice, people know one another and individual contributions genuinely make a difference. We combine the values of traditional family general practice with a willingness to embrace new technology and better ways of working.
We offer six weeks annual leave, NHS Pension Scheme membership and opportunities for training and professional development. The Practice Manager is supported by an established management team, external professional HR advice and an excellent local Practice Manager network providing peer support, meetings and dedicated training.
Interviews expected during week commencing 12 October 2026
Job description Job responsibilities
The Practice Manager provides overall operational and business leadership for Golden Valley Surgery, working closely with the partners to ensure the safe, effective and sustainable running of the practice across both sites.
The Practice Manager will lead the management team and wider workforce, translate agreed priorities into practical delivery and maintain overall oversight of practice operations. They will be supported by an experienced Deputy Practice Manager, Operations Lead and Dispensary Manager, with responsibilities delegated appropriately across the team.
The postholder will be expected to exercise a high degree of autonomy within agreed areas of responsibility, while working closely with and being accountable to the partners.
Leadership, management and operations
Provide effective day-to-day leadership and operational oversight across both practice sites.Lead, support and develop the management team, delegating appropriately while retaining oversight of standards, outcomes and key responsibilities.Work closely with the partners to implement agreed priorities and support the future development of the practice.Maintain an overview of staffing, workload and operational pressures, identifying problems at an early stage and ensuring appropriate action is taken.Ensure effective systems and processes support the smooth day-to-day running of the practice and a high standard of patient service.Lead appropriate practice and management meetings and ensure agreed actions are followed through.Maintain effective communication across the practice and promote a positive, respectful and collaborative working culture.Provide clear and supportive leadership during periods of pressure, change or organisational development.People and workforce
Lead recruitment, induction, retention and development of the practice workforce.Oversee appraisals, performance management, sickness absence, annual leave and workforce planning.Ensure appropriate staffing arrangements and workforce cover are maintained across the practice.Ensure employment policies and procedures are applied consistently and fairly.Work with the partners and external professional HR adviser on more complex employment and workforce matters.Ensure appropriate mandatory and role-specific staff training is maintained.Promote staff wellbeing, professional development and a supportive working environment.Support managers and team leaders in addressing day-to-day staffing and performance issues appropriately.Business and financial management
Work with the partners on business planning and the long-term financial and organisational sustainability of the practice.Maintain oversight of practice income, expenditure, budgets, payroll and financial processes, working with the partners, practice accountant and relevant members of the management team.Ensure income due to the practice is appropriately identified, claimed and monitored.Monitor relevant financial information and highlight significant issues, risks or opportunities to the partners.Oversee contracts and arrangements with suppliers and external providers, ensuring appropriate value and service.Maintain appropriate oversight of the business and financial aspects of the dispensing service.Support the partners in assessing the financial and operational implications of new services, contracts and developments.Contracts, quality and governance
Maintain overall management oversight of NHS contractual and commissioning requirements and ensure appropriate systems are in place to meet them.Monitor practice performance and ensure required submissions, claims, returns and contractual deadlines are completed appropriately.Maintain oversight of CQC and other relevant regulatory requirements and support the practice in maintaining readiness for inspection.Ensure appropriate organisational systems are maintained for policies and procedures, complaints, significant events, safeguarding, information governance, data protection and health and safety.Ensure complaints are managed appropriately, sensitively and within required timescales, working with clinicians and partners as necessary.Support effective clinical and organisational governance, recognising the respective responsibilities of clinical and managerial staff.Ensure organisational systems and processes support safe, high-quality and patient-centred care.Identify significant organisational or operational risks and ensure these are appropriately managed or escalated to the partners.Detailed knowledge of general practice contracts, regulations and systems at appointment is desirable rather than essential and can be developed through the comprehensive handover period, training and ongoing support.
Premises, IT and business continuity
Maintain oversight of the Ewyas Harold and Peterchurch premises, including maintenance, security, accessibility and relevant statutory requirements.Ensure appropriate health and safety arrangements, risk assessments and required checks are maintained.Ensure robust business continuity and emergency arrangements are in place, regularly reviewed and understood by relevant staff.Maintain management oversight of practice IT and digital systems, working with relevant colleagues, NHS organisations and external providers.Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for the security and resilience of practice systems and information.Support the effective introduction and evaluation of new systems, technology and ways of working where these benefit patients, staff or the practice.Dispensing
Maintain management oversight of the dispensing service, working closely with the experienced Dispensary Manager, partners and relevant clinicians.Ensure appropriate operational, staffing and governance arrangements are maintained within the dispensing service.Maintain awareness of the business implications of operating a dispensing practice and ensure relevant financial and contractual requirements are appropriately managed.Support the continued development of a safe, efficient and patient-centred dispensing service.Patient service
Promote a culture in which patients are treated with courtesy, dignity and respect.Ensure administrative and operational systems support good access, continuity and an effective patient experience.Respond appropriately to concerns about practice systems or service delivery and ensure lessons from complaints, feedback and significant events are incorporated into service improvement where appropriate.Support the practice's commitment to providing a personal, responsive service to its rural patient population.Development and improvement
Work with the partners and wider team to identify and implement improvements to services, systems and ways of working.Bring new ideas and experience to the role and constructively challenge existing processes where improvements can be made.Lead and support organisational change, ensuring changes are planned, communicated and implemented effectively.Support the development of new services and initiatives where these are beneficial and sustainable for the practice and its patients.Encourage innovation while ensuring that new systems and ways of working are practical, safe and appropriately evaluated.External relationships
Maintain effective working relationships with the Primary Care Network (PCN), Integrated Care Board (ICB), neighbouring practices and other relevant NHS and external organisations.Represent the practice appropriately at relevant external meetings, working groups and forums.Maintain awareness of local and national developments affecting general practice and advise the partners on relevant operational or business implications.Develop constructive relationships with other Practice Managers and make effective use of the strong local Practice Manager network.Liaise appropriately with professional advisers, suppliers, contractors and other external organisations.Overall responsibility and accountability
The Practice Manager will work collaboratively with the partners and wider management team, with specific responsibilities delegated appropriately according to the skills and roles of individual team members.
The postholder will retain overall operational oversight, ensuring that delegated responsibilities are effectively managed, important requirements and deadlines are met, risks are identified and escalated appropriately, and the different functions of the practice work together effectively.
The Practice Manager is not expected personally to undertake every management or administrative function. A key part of the role is to lead an effective management structure, delegate appropriately and ensure that the practice has reliable systems through which responsibilities are understood and delivered.
The postholder will be expected to use initiative and professional judgement, recognising when matters can be managed independently and when significant operational, financial, employment or strategic issues should be referred to the partners.
This job description describes the principal responsibilities of the post but is not exhaustive. Duties may evolve in response to the changing needs of the practice and general practice more widely, and other appropriate responsibilities may be agreed with the partners.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
-Significant management or leadership experience within a complex organisation. -Experience of leading, managing and developing staff, including recruitment and performance management. -Experience of managing day-to-day operations and competing priorities. -Experience of financial management, budgetary responsibility or oversight of financial processes. -Experience of developing and improving organisational systems and processes. -Experience of identifying problems, implementing practical solutions and managing change. -Experience of working collaboratively with senior leaders and different professional groups.
Desirable
-Previous experience as a Practice Manager, Deputy/Assistant Practice Manager, Business Manager or Operations Manager. -Experience within general practice, primary care or the wider NHS. -Knowledge of NHS primary-care contractual and regulatory requirements. -Experience of CQC or other regulatory compliance. -Experience of a rural, dispensing or multi-site practice. -Experience of working with PCNs, ICBs or other NHS organisations.
Qualifications Essential
- Good standard of education with excellent literacy and numeracy skills. - Relevant management, business, administration or healthcare qualification, or equivalent management experience.
Desirable
- Practice Management, leadership or management qualification. - Relevant training or qualification in HR, finance, governance or another area relevant to the role.
Person specification Essential
We are looking first and foremost for an experienced, capable manager and leader. Previous general-practice experience is desirable rather than essential, and support and training will be provided to develop the successful candidate's knowledge of primary care. Personal qualities: Essential - Confident, capable and approachable. - Visible and willing to be involved in the day-to-day life of the practice. - Practical, proactive and solutions-focused. - Highly organised and reliable. - Able to see the bigger picture while retaining attention to detail. - Calm and resilient under pressure. - Comfortable taking responsibility and using initiative. - Fair, consistent and respectful. - Able to delegate, support and develop others. - Trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality. - Open to new ideas and continuous improvement. - Committed to teamwork and high-quality patient care. Other requirements Essential - Full driving licence and access to a car for travel between Ewyas Harold and Peterchurch. - Flexibility to work across both practice sites as required. - Willingness to undertake appropriate training and continuing professional development.
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.
Employer details Employer name Golden Valley Practice
Address The Surgery
Ewyas Harold
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR2 0EU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.goldenvalleypractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)