Job summary Are you the candidate we seek? We are not seeking an ordinary operational manager; we are looking for an individual who can support our workforce in its growth and creativity while collaborating with our citizens of East Sussex. We are looking for a manager who can be creative in supporting value for money and providing the appropriate opportunities for residents to have choice and control to meet their needs. Our ethos is to work collaboratively across internal sectors and with our external partners to support strength-based work and future developments. You will require significant experience in working within the mental health sector to support the growth of our service. You will be supported to access further training to enhance your career progression. We are seeking candidates with the following experience: Significant Social Services managerial experience Strategic service planning Local budgetary control The management of change Relevant Professional Qualification (e.g., social work, occupational therapy) Relevant Management qualification or willingness to complete Chartered Manager (Level 6) apprenticeship, which will be funded by the Council. Main duties of the job The role entails managing Practice Managers to maintain quality practice and continue to create opportunities for driving forward developments, utilising relevant data and consulting with stakeholders. We are currently undertaking several developments that you would be expected to lead on with the support of the Head of Service. Health and Social Care are moving to several government transitions, and we need to support and grow our current systems and workforce to meet them. The Operational Manager has a fundamental role in leading this forward, so we require the candidate to have a strong history of working in Mental Health and substantial experience working with a statutory organization. This is a fixed term role for 12 months. About us To apply click on the supporting link 'Apply for this vacancy via ESCC website'. Upload your CV explaining how you meet the job specification criteria. This job advert might close earlier, then the stipulated closing date if a large volume of applicants is received. Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams unless you request an in-person interview. If you are unavailable to attend the allocated interview date/time, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date/time for you. Benefits There are many rewards working for East Sussex County Council, some of these include: Generous pension scheme Hybrid working Access to training Lease car scheme (subject to qualifying criteria) Access to our extensive wellbeing and wellness training Annual registration fee with Social Worker England will be reimbursed We have a committed workforce who strives to work alongside people who require a service. We are open to initiatives to support positive outcomes by working in a strength-based approach; we would like an Operational Manager with the same ethos to enhance our services. Date posted 23 April 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £56,567 to £61,626 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time, Home or remote working Reference number F0026-25-0007 Job locations East Sussex County Council 52 St. Leonards Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 3UU Job description Job responsibilities 1. Responsible for the appropriate delivery of services to people within a designated service area in accordance with statutory requirements, County Council policies, procedures and quality standards. 2. Manage the budgetary performance of a designated service unit within the Departmental scheme of delegation. 3. Manage performance within the context of the Performance Assessment Framework, Performance Indicators and agreed targets. 4. Achieve an effective delivery of service through the management of people, and take responsibility for the formal operation of the County Councils policies and procedures pertaining to personnel related matters e.g. grievance, disciplinary procedures. 5. Recruit and retain appropriately qualified staff to ensure the effective provision of services and co-ordinate the development of staff and their effectiveness through training and regular supervision. 6. Contribute to the development of Departmental policies and procedures in order to maintain and improve the quality of service. 7. Administer the Complaints Procedure within Departmental guidelines including complaints investigations to establish what remedial action if any is necessary. 8. Brief DMT on problems needing resolution and highlight service achievements. 9. Ensure that the Performance Development Scheme is fully implemented throughout the service managed. 10. Achieve the annual performance targets for the designated service unit and personal development targets. 11. To provide management support to Departmental out of hours services and where appropriate, participate with others on a rota 12. To undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the purview of the post, as required by the manager/supervisor, ensuring that all duties undertaken are done so in accordance with departmental policies, practices procedures and standards, including Equal Opportunities/Anti-Discriminatory practice. Job description Job responsibilities 1. Responsible for the appropriate delivery of services to people within a designated service area in accordance with statutory requirements, County Council policies, procedures and quality standards. 2. Manage the budgetary performance of a designated service unit within the Departmental scheme of delegation. 3. Manage performance within the context of the Performance Assessment Framework, Performance Indicators and agreed targets. 4. Achieve an effective delivery of service through the management of people, and take responsibility for the formal operation of the County Councils policies and procedures pertaining to personnel related matters e.g. grievance, disciplinary procedures. 5. Recruit and retain appropriately qualified staff to ensure the effective provision of services and co-ordinate the development of staff and their effectiveness through training and regular supervision. 6. Contribute to the development of Departmental policies and procedures in order to maintain and improve the quality of service. 7. Administer the Complaints Procedure within Departmental guidelines including complaints investigations to establish what remedial action if any is necessary. 8. Brief DMT on problems needing resolution and highlight service achievements. 9. Ensure that the Performance Development Scheme is fully implemented throughout the service managed. 10. Achieve the annual performance targets for the designated service unit and personal development targets. 11. To provide management support to Departmental out of hours services and where appropriate, participate with others on a rota 12. To undertake any other such duties as may reasonably fall within the purview of the post, as required by the manager/supervisor, ensuring that all duties undertaken are done so in accordance with departmental policies, practices procedures and standards, including Equal Opportunities/Anti-Discriminatory practice. Person Specification Experience Essential Identifying local service needs and directing resources appropriately. Monitoring the quality of local service provision. Translating local and national policy into practice. Contributing to and implementing new service initiatives. Interagency/partnership working. Budget management and effective leadership. Interpreting legislation in difficult cases. Political awareness. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to produce clear and concise reports. Negotiation and influencing skills/presentation skills. Practical problem-solving skills. Staff supervision and management, team motivation and team building. Chairing meetings. Evidence of effective planning for change. Ability to makes decisions when dealing with often constant and conflicting demands on time. An ability to work constructively with colleagues, both internal and external. Knowledge of statutory responsibilities and Departmental policies and procedures in relation to specific service area. Knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. NHS and Community Care Act. Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults systems, policies and procedures. Knowledge of corporate functions and working arrangements within the Adult Social Care. Working knowledge of the Capacity Act (2005) and DoLs. Working knowledge of Delayed transfers of Care. Significant Social Services managerial experience. Strategic service planning experience. Experience of local budgetary control. Experience of the management of change. A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Diplomatic, innovative, decisive, change orientated, self-motivated, team worker. Evidence of practice in Mental health. Desirable Experience as an Approved Mental Health Professional. Qualifications Essential Relevant Professional Qualification e.g. Social work, Occupational therapy; and/or Relevant Management qualification or willingness to complete Chartered Manager (Level 6) apprenticeship which will be funded by the Council Person Specification Experience Essential Identifying local service needs and directing resources appropriately. Monitoring the quality of local service provision. Translating local and national policy into practice. Contributing to and implementing new service initiatives. Interagency/partnership working. Budget management and effective leadership. Interpreting legislation in difficult cases. Political awareness. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to produce clear and concise reports. Negotiation and influencing skills/presentation skills. Practical problem-solving skills. Staff supervision and management, team motivation and team building. Chairing meetings. Evidence of effective planning for change. Ability to makes decisions when dealing with often constant and conflicting demands on time. An ability to work constructively with colleagues, both internal and external. Knowledge of statutory responsibilities and Departmental policies and procedures in relation to specific service area. Knowledge of relevant legislation e.g. NHS and Community Care Act. Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults systems, policies and procedures. Knowledge of corporate functions and working arrangements within the Adult Social Care. Working knowledge of the Capacity Act (2005) and DoLs. Working knowledge of Delayed transfers of Care. Significant Social Services managerial experience. Strategic service planning experience. Experience of local budgetary control. Experience of the management of change. A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Diplomatic, innovative, decisive, change orientated, self-motivated, team worker. Evidence of practice in Mental health. Desirable Experience as an Approved Mental Health Professional. Qualifications Essential Relevant Professional Qualification e.g. Social work, Occupational therapy; and/or Relevant Management qualification or willingness to complete Chartered Manager (Level 6) apprenticeship which will be funded by the Council 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name East Sussex County Council Address East Sussex County Council 52 St. Leonards Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 3UU Employer's website https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)