About this role
Job summary
Appletree Medical Practice is seeking an enthusiastic, forward-thinking and motivated Practice Manager to lead our practice and help shape its future direction.
We are a well-established GP practice serving our local community, with a strong clinical team and an experienced management team already in place. The successful candidate will work closely with our Operations Manager and wider management team, providing strategic leadership and supporting the continued development, sustainability and success of the practice.
Previous healthcare or NHS experience would be advantageous, but is not essential. We are equally interested in hearing from candidates with strong leadership, business management and strategic planning experience gained in other sectors. We recognise that the skills needed to lead a successful organisation are transferable, and we welcome applications from candidates who can bring fresh ideas and a different perspective to general practice.
Hours: 24-30 hours per week
Working pattern: 3 or 4 days per week
To apply:
Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience, leadership approach and what you would bring to Appletree Medical Practice and email this to [email protected]
Closing Date:Wednesday 25th November 2026
Interviews will be held on:Wednesday 9th December 2026
Please note this job may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Main duties of the job
This is an opportunity for an experienced manager to make a real difference, balancing the needs of a busy healthcare organisation with the challenges and opportunities facing modern general practice.
Key areas of responsibility:
Strategic leadership: Working with the GP partners and management team to develop and deliver the practices vision, objectives and long-term plans. Financial sustainability and income generation: Identifying opportunities to maximise practice income, improve financial performance and ensure resources are used effectively. Business development: Exploring new opportunities, developing services and working collaboratively with the Primary Care Network and wider healthcare partners. Quality and governance: Leading on regulatory compliance, including Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements, risk management and continuous improvement. People and culture: Supporting a positive working environment, developing leadership capability and helping to ensure the practice remains an attractive place to work. Future planning: Keeping abreast of changes in general practice, NHS policy and neighbourhood working, identifying opportunities to strengthen the practice and improve patient services.
The role will be supported by an established Operations Manager, enabling the Practice Manager to focus on strategic leadership, business development and the long-term success of the organisation.
About us
Situated in the semi-rural village of Duffield (5 miles north of Derby), we serve a population of just over 11,000 patients. We are in a modern, purpose-built premises with free parking and disabled access. We have an attached (independent) pharmacy unit on-site. We also operate from a small branch surgery in the neighbouring village of Little Eaton. We are within easy commute of Derby and Nottingham and are situated close to the beautiful Derbyshire Peal District.
Company Benefits:
Free parking Generous NHS Pension Scheme Free Tea & Coffee Full sickness pay (upon completion of 12 months service) Employee Assistance Programme (A 24-hour helpline from Health Assured to support you through any of lifes issues or problems such as Bereavement, Legal information, financial information and many more) Dedicated staff wellbeing champions Free staff wellbeing activities and events Access to NHS Discounts via Bluelight (One off small fee every 2 years)
Job description Job responsibilities
Role purpose
The Practice Manager will work closely with the GP Partners, Operations Manager and wider management team to lead and develop Appletree Medical Practice. The role is responsible for turning the Partnerships priorities into workable plans, keeping a close eye on the practices financial and organisational performance and making sure good governance is maintained. The postholder will also look for sensible opportunities to improve services for patients, support staff and strengthen the practice for the future.
Role context
Appletree Medical Practice is an established GP practice caring for around 11,000 patients from modern premises in Duffield. We have a strong clinical team, an experienced management team and an Operations Manager already in post. This means the Practice Manager can give particular attention to the bigger picture: the future direction of the practice, financial sustainability, business development, governance and forward planning, while still retaining oversight of the organisation as a whole.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership and partnership support
Work with the GP Partners and management team to agree the practices priorities and develop a realistic long-term plan.
Turn agreed priorities into clear actions, with named leads, sensible timescales and regular updates on progress.
Give the Partnership balanced, evidence-based advice so that decisions can be made confidently and without unnecessary delay.
Keep abreast of changes in general practice and the wider NHS, and help the practice decide what they mean locally and how best to respond.
Encourage an open, supportive culture in which people take responsibility, work well together and look for ways to improve.
Financial management and sustainability
Work with the Partnership and its advisers on budgets, forecasts and longer-term financial planning.
Maintain a good understanding of how the practice is funded and make sure legitimate income opportunities are not missed.
Review financial and operational information regularly, investigate significant differences and agree action where needed.
Help ensure that staffing and other resources are used well and that significant investments or service changes are supported by a clear business case.
Oversee key contracts and suppliers within the authority delegated by the Partnership, with a clear focus on quality and value for money.
Business development and service improvement
Look for practical opportunities to develop services, bring in appropriate income and improve access or outcomes for patients.
Lead or sponsor improvement work from the initial idea through to implementation, review and follow-up.
Develop constructive working relationships with the Primary Care Network, commissioners, neighbouring practices, community services and other local partners.
Use feedback and performance information from patients, staff and services to help identify where change is most needed.
Make sure changes are thought through, explained clearly and followed up so that they become part of everyday practice.
Governance, quality and regulatory compliance
Keep an overview of the practices governance arrangements, making sure responsibilities are clear and concerns are reported to the right people.
Make sure the practice is prepared for CQC requirements and meets its contractual, legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Ensure reliable arrangements are in place for risk, business continuity, health and safety, information governance, complaints and significant events.
Help teams learn from incidents, feedback and performance information, and check that agreed improvements are carried through.
Keep policies and procedures useful, up to date and easy for staff to find and follow.
People, leadership and organisational culture
Lead and support the management team, with clear areas of responsibility and appropriate delegation.
Work with operational leads on workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning and the development of roles.
Create an environment in which staff feel informed, included and supported to do their best work.
Make sure the basics of good people management are in place, including induction, appraisal, training, performance support and fair handling of employee matters.
Be a visible and approachable senior leader who is prepared to deal with difficult issues promptly, fairly and professionally.
Operational and performance oversight
Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager, respecting agreed responsibilities while maintaining sufficient oversight of the practice as a whole.
Agree and monitor key operational and quality indicators, ensuring that risks, pressures and recurring problems are identified early.
Provide senior leadership during significant operational disruption or business continuity events.
Ensure the Partnership receives concise, accurate and timely management information.
Support effective communication across practice sites, teams and professional groups.
Patient and stakeholder focus
Ensure that patient experience, safety, equality and accessibility are considered in strategic and operational decisions.
Promote constructive engagement with patients and relevant representative groups.
Support appropriate handling, oversight and organisational learning from complaints, concerns, compliments and feedback.
Represent the practice professionally in external meetings and collaborative work.
Management and accountability
The postholder is accountable to the GP Partnership and will work in close partnership with the Operations Manager.
Individual line-management responsibilities and delegated financial authority will be confirmed by the Partnership and recorded in the practice responsibility matrix.
The postholder will attend and contribute to Partnership and management meetings as required, providing reports, recommendations and assurance.
General responsibilities
Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection, information governance and records-management requirements.
Act at all times in a way that supports equality, diversity, inclusion, dignity and respect.
Comply with practice policies and relevant health and safety, safeguarding and infection prevention requirements.
Participate in appraisal, continuing professional development and training appropriate to the role.
Undertake other duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role, following discussion and appropriate agreement.
Review of this document
This job description describes the main purpose and responsibilities of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. It will be reviewed with the postholder as the practice develops and may be amended following appropriate discussion and agreement.
SEE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Person Specification
Skills and personal attributes Essential
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages for different audiences. -Strategic thinker who can also move ideas into practical delivery. -Highly organised, proactive and able to work independently while collaborating effectively. -Analytical and confident using information to identify problems, options and priorities. -Credible, resilient and calm under pressure, with high levels of integrity and discretion. -Flexible and solutions-focused, with a willingness to challenge constructively. -Patient-focused and committed to the values and success of Appletree Medical Practice. -Competent in the use of standard digital workplace systems and able to learn new systems.
Desirable
-Understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing general practice. -Experience of collaborative working across organisational boundaries.
Governance, quality and risk Essential
-Understanding of effective governance, assurance, risk management and continuous improvement. -Experience of working within policies, legislation, regulation or contractual standards. -Ability to establish clear accountability, monitor compliance and address gaps constructively. -Commitment to high-quality, safe and person-centred services.
Desirable
-Knowledge of Care Quality Commission requirements in primary care. -Experience of inspection readiness, information governance, complaints, significant events or business continuity.
Experience Essential
-Substantial experience in a management or leadership role with responsibility for organisational performance. -Experience of developing strategy and translating it into achievable plans and measurable outcomes. -Experience of leading change, service improvement or organisational development. -Experience of influencing senior stakeholders and supporting collective decision-making. -Experience of managing competing priorities, risk and sensitive issues with sound judgement.
Desirable
-Leadership experience in general practice, the NHS, healthcare or another regulated environment. -Experience of working with a partnership, board or equivalent senior decision-making group. -Experience of leading managers or multidisciplinary teams.
People and culture Essential
-Proven ability to motivate, influence and bring people together. -Experience of supporting effective workforce planning and people-management processes. -Ability to handle difficult conversations and employee issues fairly, sensitively and confidently. -Commitment to staff wellbeing, inclusion, development and a positive workplace culture
Desirable
-Experience of organisational redesign, succession planning or leadership development. -Working knowledge of employment practice in a healthcare or comparable setting.
Finance and business Essential
-Strong financial awareness, including experience of budgets, financial monitoring, cost control and business performance. -Ability to interpret financial and operational information and present clear recommendations. -Experience of identifying efficiencies, income opportunities or sustainable business improvements. -Commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality, risk, workforce and financial considerations.
Desirable
-Knowledge of general practice funding, contracts, claims or income streams. -Experience of business-case development, procurement or contract management.
Qualifications Essential
-Education to degree level or evidence of equivalent senior management knowledge gained through substantial relevant experience. -Evidence of recent and relevant continuing professional development.
Desirable
-Recognised management, leadership, business, finance, HR or healthcare-management qualification. -Membership of an appropriate professional body.
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 Appletree Medical Practice
Address 47a Town Street
Duffield
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 4GG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://appletreemedical.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)