About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Practice Manager ready to make a difference.
We are seeking an experienced, proactive and resilient Practice Manager to lead the operational management and future development of our GP surgery.
This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a confident manager who can provide strong leadership, establish clear standards, improve operational performance and support the practice in delivering high-quality patient care.
The successful candidate will be comfortable taking ownership, addressing areas requiring improvement and implementing effective, sustainable changes. They will bring the experience, determination and leadership skills necessary to manage competing demands, motivate the staff team and ensure that the practice operates efficiently, professionally and in accordance with NHS and regulatory requirements.
We are looking for someone who actively identifies opportunities for improvement, takes decisive action and delivers measurable results.
Main duties of the job
Leadership and staff management
Provide clear, visible and effective leadership across the practice.
Address performance concerns promptly, fairly and in accordance with employment policies.
Develop a positive, accountable and supportive team culture.
Oversee recruitment, induction, training, staff development, appraisals and workforce planning.
Operational management and service improvement
Take overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day running of the practice.
Review existing systems, processes and procedures, identifying weaknesses and implementing improvements.
Manage operational challenges confidently, prioritising effectively and making sound, timely decisions.
Governance, compliance and quality
Ensure the practice meets relevant NHS contractual requirements, Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, data protection obligations and health and safety requirement.
Maintain effective policies, procedures, risk registers and governance systems.
Oversee complaints, significant events, audits and action plans, ensuring lessons are learned and improvements are embedded.
Financial and strategic management
Oversee budgets, expenditure, resources and financial processes.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and ensure resources are used effectively.
Work with the GP partner to develop and deliver practice objectives, service improvements and longer-term plans.
Build effective working relationships with the Primary Care Network (PCN), NHS organisations and other relevant partners.
About us
The Villages Medical Group comprises of two surgeries, Gardiner Crescent and Craghead Medical Centre.
We have a clinical team of 1 GP partner, 1 salaried GP and 1 regular locum GP, 3 Advanced Nurse Practitioners, 2 Practice Nurses and 2 Health Care Assistants.
The administrative team consists of a deputy practice manager, 1 senior administrator and 9 administrative assistants.
Our patient list size is approximately 4,000.
We have undergone a lot of change in the past 2 years which has empowered us to make organisational improvements reflected in our recent CQC inspection, June 2026, where we were rated as good in all areas.
We recognise that effective practice management is fundamental to delivering excellent patient care. Strong leadership, robust operational systems, clear accountability and a positive team culture are essential to ensuring that the practice meets its responsibilities and continues to develop in response to the needs of our patients and the wider NHS.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Practice Manager to play a key leadership role in the next stage of our development. The successful candidate will work closely with the GP partner and the wider practice team to strengthen operational performance, develop staff, maintain high standards of governance and compliance, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Summary - please note to refer to the attached full job description.
To manage and coordinate all aspects of practice functionality, motivating and managing staff, optimising efficiency, ensuring the practice achieves its long-term strategic objectives in a safe and effective working environment. Through innovative ways of working, lead the team in promoting ED&I, SHEF, Quality & CI, Confidentiality, Collaborative Working, Service Delivery, Learning and Development and ensure the practice complies with CQC regulations.
Primary Responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the practice manager. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.
The practice manager is responsible for:
a. Leading change and continuous improvement initiatives alongside the Lead GP and the rest of the Senior Management Team
b. Navigate the management of the financial elements of the practice, including budgets, petty cash, payroll, pensions, etc. in conjunction with the Lead GP and senior Management team
c. Coordinating the practice diary, ensuring meetings are scheduled appropriately
d. Liaising at external meetings as required
e. Managing all complaints effectively & appropriately and ensuring all are recorded as per practice policy using GP Teamnet
f. Ensure compliance with legislation and CQC Requirements across the practice especially around H & S and core issues such as confidentiality.
a. First line management of any disciplinary / HR issues, including reporting via GP Teamnet of any incidents and to SMT and Lead GP when requested.
b. Day to day management of both premises, including health and safety aspects & producing up to date risk assessments.
c. Oversee the Assistant Practice Manager in the maintenance and monitoring of staff training records via GP teamnet
d. Ensuring compliance with IT security and IG
e. Ensuring all staff have the appropriate level of training & support to enable them to carry out their individual roles and responsibilities effectively
f. Ensure minutes of practice meetings are taken, produced, stored and circulated appropriately.
g. Managing the recruitment process for the practice alongside the Assistant Practice Manager and the rest of the Senior Management Team.
h. Maintain staff records and ensure compliance with employment law.
Secondary Responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the practice manager may be requested to:
a. Deputise for the Lead GP at internal and external meetings
b. Act as the primary point of contact for NHS(E), CCG, community services, suppliers and other external stakeholders this will usually be for specific projects.
Partake in audit as requested by the lead GP or lead Nurse
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of education with excellent literacy and numeracy skills
Desirable
- Educated to degree level in healthcare or business
- Leadership and / or Management Qualification
- AMSPAR Qualification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to exploit and negotiate opportunities to enhance service delivery
- Excellent communication skills (written, oral and presenting)
- Strong IT skills (generic)
- Excellent leadership skills
- Strategic thinker and negotiator
- Ability to prioritise, delegate and work to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- EMIS / Systmone / Vision user skills
- Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
- Ability to network and build relationships
- Proven problem solving & analytical skills
- Ability to develop, implement and embed policy and procedure
- Ability to motivate and train staff
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with the general public
- Experience of managing accounting procedures including budget and cash flow forecasting
- Experience of working in a health care setting
- Experience of managing large multidisciplinary teams
- Experience of performance management, including appraisal writing, staff development and disciplinary procedures
- Experience of successfully developing and implementing projects
- Experience of workforce planning, forecasting and development
- NHS / Primary Care General Practice experience
- Relevant health and safety experience
- Experience of chairing meetings, producing agendas and minutes
Desirable
- Experience of CQC Inspection and holds and awareness of how to uphold CQC standards
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
The Villages Medical Group
Address
21 Gardiner Crescent
Pelton Fell
Chester le Street
Co. Durham
DH2 2NJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.thevillagesmedicalgroup.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)