Health service manager

Health service managers are responsible for the financial, strategic and day-to-day operations involved in running hospitals, GP practices and community health services

As a health service manager, you'll work in either the NHS or the private healthcare sector, ensuring that services are delivered efficiently, safely and within budget. You'll play a key role in managing people, resources and systems so that patients receive high-quality care.

You'll work closely with both clinical and non-clinical staff, as well as other organisations such as local authorities and voluntary services. The role also involves understanding how national policies, funding priorities and local needs affect the way healthcare is delivered.

Your responsibilities will vary depending on your area of work. For example, you could manage a GP practice or community health team, coordinate an ambulance service, oversee a large division and budget within a hospital trust, or lead mental health services across multiple sites.

Types of health service manager work

You could work in a variety of areas, including:

• clinical practice, working alongside clinician colleagues
• data management
• patient services and consultation
• people management
• performance and quality management
• policy and strategic management
• project management
• purchasing and contract management
• resource and budget management.

Find out more about the roles in health service management.

Responsibilities

As a health service manager, you'll need to:

• oversee the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organisation, department or service area
• manage clinical, administrative and support staff, including recruitment, performance and development
• plan and implement strategic changes and new policies to improve service delivery and patient care
• set and manage budgets, ensuring services are delivered efficiently and within financial constraints
• gather, analyse and interpret data to inform decision-making and monitor performance
• ensure compliance with government policies, regulations and quality standards
• work collaboratively with medical and non-medical staff, as well as external organisations such as local authorities and voluntary groups
• manage contracts and service delivery agreements with external providers
• prepare reports, attend meetings and present information to senior managers or boards
• promote quality, safety and value for money in all aspects of service delivery.

Salary

• The starting salary for the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme 2026 intake is £30,277, increasing to £32,606 after 12 months. If you're based in a high-cost area such as London, you'll also receive a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). Graduates also receive a fully funded study package and NHS pension entitlement.
• The average salary in a first NHS management role after completing the scheme is around £44,000, depending on your specialism, level of responsibility and location.
• At the most senior levels, such as director or chief executive, salaries can exceed £100,000.

For details of salary scales within the NHS, see Agenda for change (AfC) pay rates.

NHS employees may also receive a range of additional benefits, such as access to an Employee Assistance Programme, flexible working options and a Cycle2Work scheme. 

Salaries in the private healthcare sector can vary widely depending on the organisation, size and type of service.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work around 37.5 hours a week, although in some roles or specialist areas you may need to work shifts. As a manager, you may occasionally be on-call during evenings or weekends, and you should expect to work additional hours during busy periods.

Flexible working options are often available. In some organisations, you may be able to work part time or job share.

What to expect

• Work is usually office-based, although you may need to spend time in other departments, hospital wards or sites.
• Vacancies exist across the UK. Larger hospital trusts are typically located in cities or large towns, while community health and GP management roles are found in most locations.
• The role can be demanding, as you'll often need to implement new policies or systems while maintaining service quality and meeting national targets.
• Health service management and performance often come under public and political scrutiny.
• You'll need to balance operational efficiency with patient care and staff wellbeing, sometimes navigating differing priorities between clinicians, senior management and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Graduates with a minimum 2:2 degree in any subject can apply to the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. This fast-track leadership development programme prepares you for a senior role in health service management.

In England, the scheme currently offers four specialist routes:

• general management
• finance
• health informatics
• human resources.

You can also apply if you have a postgraduate qualification (MBA, Masters, PhD). Health or management degree-level equivalent qualifications are also considered.

Although there are no specific numeracy requirements for the finance and health informatics schemes, the following degree subjects may be particularly useful:

• accountancy
• finance
• economics
• information technology
• mathematics.

Other degrees that include the use of statistics and quantitative data are also useful.

When you apply, you must select one specialism for the intake, so take time to research each option and choose the one that best fits your interests and strengths.

Competition for places is strong, and you'll need to complete an online application followed by online assessments. If successful, the final stage is a half-day virtual assessment centre.

Separate graduate management schemes operate in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check their websites for eligibility details, scheme structure and key dates.

• NHS Scotland Management Training Scheme
• NHS Wales General Management Graduate Programme
• HSC Business Services Organisation (Northern Ireland).

Some private-sector providers, such as BUPA, have their own graduate management training schemes. Check individual websites for more information.

You can also apply directly for junior health service management roles with a relevant degree, equivalent vocational qualification or a Level 6 Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship (CMDA).

It's also possible to start in an administrative or support role (with GCSEs or equivalent qualifications) and work your way into a management position through appropriate training and experience. NHS apprenticeships are also available at various levels in areas such as management, business administration and HR, and IT.

Experienced clinical staff (such as nurses, doctors or therapists) and candidates with management experience outside health can also move into health service management roles.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• strong verbal and written communication skills for working effectively with a range of professionals and stakeholders
• leadership skills, with the ability to motivate others and gain trust and cooperation
• decision-making ability, particularly when managing budgets, staff levels or service priorities
• analytical and numeracy skills to interpret data, assess performance and identify trends
• planning, organisational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and competing demands
• teamworking and collaboration skills to build effective relationships across clinical and non-clinical teams
• flexible and creative problem-solving ability to respond to challenges and drive improvement
• adaptability and resilience to manage pressure and change in a fast-paced environment
• resource management skills, including budgeting and delegation
• commitment to patient focus and the values of the NHS (or your organisation).

Work experience

Although you don't need specific work experience to get a place on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, you'll need a good understanding of the current issues and challenges facing the NHS. Work experience, a work placement or voluntary work in a healthcare environment will help you gain a valuable insight into the sector.

For example, you could volunteer at your local hospital or work in an administrative or support role at a local hospital, GP surgery or social care organisation. This experience will be particularly useful at the interview stage as you will be able to talk about what you've learned and reflect on your experiences.

To work as a health service manager in the NHS or private sector, you'll usually need experience in your chosen area of work as well as an understanding of how the wider health system operates.

Experience gained in other sectors, for example, in business administration, HR, finance or customer service, can also help you develop valuable communication, planning, analytical and leadership skills.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Health service managers are employed by the NHS in hospitals, GP surgeries and community health services.

Opportunities are also available in the private healthcare sector, and there are also roles within the armed forces and public health organisations.

Look for job vacancies at:

• HealthJobsUK.com
• HSJ Jobs - specialist health service management jobs board.
• NHS Jobs - vacancies in England and Wales.
• NHSScotland Jobs
• websites of private healthcare providers.

Many NHS Authorities and Trusts also advertise vacancies on their own websites.

Professional development

If you're on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, you'll be employed on a fixed-term contract and receive a salary. The scheme lasts two years (30 months for the finance specialism) and combines structured work placements with formal management training, projects and attachments.

As part of the scheme, you'll complete a professional or postgraduate qualification, depending on your specialism, and receive mentoring and support from experienced managers while working in different parts of the NHS within your region.

The NHS Leadership Academy offers a wide range of programmes and resources for aspiring or current leaders who want to develop their management skills further.

If you're not on a graduate scheme, you can still access in-service management training and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. As you progress, you may need a professional qualification, if you don't already have one, such as one from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) if you work in HR, or an MBA.

Membership of the Institute of Health and Social Care Management (IHSCM) provides access to events, conferences, research, online training and mentoring. Leadership and management qualifications are also offered by organisations such as the ILM and the CMI.

Career prospects

Although you're not guaranteed a job after completing the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, many trainees secure permanent NHS roles soon afterwards. You'll receive career development support, including job search advice and mentoring, during the scheme to help you find a suitable role.

Opportunities depend on your specialism and interests. For example, you could work in community or hospital management, policy development, service improvement, or operational and strategic planning.

Leadership responsibility starts early, and progression can be rapid. With experience, further training and a strong performance, it may be possible to move into senior or director-level roles.

If you've entered directly into a junior management role, or progressed from an administrative post, you can enhance your prospects by gaining professional qualifications in management or specialist areas such as facilities, HR or finance.

Flexibility and geographical mobility can help you take advantage of development opportunities and progress your career across the wider NHS or health sector.