Practice Manager - Large, Progressive & Digitally Advanced GP Practice
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Sites: Apsley HP3 9SQ & Highfield HP2 5TA
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
Contract: Permanent
Responsible to: GP Partners
About the Practice
We are a progressive, patient-focused GP practice serving approximately 24,500 patients across two sites in Hemel Hempstead.
We are committed to delivering high-quality primary care while embracing innovation, digital transformation and modern ways of working. Technology plays an important part in how we deliver services, improve patient access, streamline processes and support our teams.
We are now seeking an experienced and ambitious Practice Manager to provide strong leadership across the practice and play a key role in shaping its continued development.
This is an exciting opportunity for an established primary care manager who is looking for a senior leadership position within a large, forward-thinking practice and who is confident managing the operational, financial, workforce and governance challenges that come with a complex primary care environment.
The Role
As Practice Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across both practice sites, working closely with the GP Partners to deliver the practice's vision, objectives and business plans.
You will have overall responsibility for ensuring the practice operates safely, efficiently and sustainably, while maintaining a strong focus on patient experience, staff experience, quality and regulatory compliance.
You will lead a multidisciplinary team, oversee the practice's business functions and identify opportunities to improve services, develop the organisation and embrace new ways of working.
This is a hands-on senior management role requiring an individual who can confidently move between strategic planning and day-to-day operational management.
Key Responsibilities - Leadership & Strategic Development
- Provide visible, confident and effective leadership across the practice.
- Lead the overall management and ongoing development of the organisation.
- Work closely with the GP Partners to deliver strategic objectives and business plans.
- Identify opportunities for service development, innovation, growth and continuous improvement.
- Promote a culture of accountability, high performance and professional development.
- Represent the practice at PCN, ICB and other relevant stakeholder meetings.
Operational Management
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of both practice sites.
- Ensure services are delivered efficiently, effectively and to a high standard.
- Develop, implement and maintain robust policies, procedures and business continuity arrangements.
- Oversee premises, facilities and supplier relationships.
- Ensure effective systems are in place to support the smooth running of the practice.
- Identify and address operational risks and opportunities for improvement.
Financial & Business Management
- Take responsibility for practice finances, budgets and business planning.
- Maximise income from NHS contracts, QOF, Enhanced Services and other appropriate funding streams.
- Monitor expenditure and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and value.
- Provide regular financial and performance information to the GP Partners.
- Support the Partners with sound commercial and business decision-making.
Digital & Technology Leadership
Technology and innovation are central to our approach, and we are looking for a Practice Manager who is genuinely enthusiastic about using technology to improve healthcare delivery.
You will:
- Champion digital technology to improve patient services and operational efficiency.
- Lead the continued development of the practice's digital strategy.
- Ensure effective use of clinical systems, online services and workflow management tools.
- Work with IT providers to ensure systems remain secure, reliable and fit for purpose.
- Identify opportunities to use automation, AI-enabled tools and other digital solutions to improve productivity and patient experience.
- Encourage digital adoption across the practice and support staff training and development.
- Ensure appropriate information governance, cyber security and data protection arrangements are maintained.
Governance, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure the practice meets CQC requirements and all relevant regulatory standards.
- Lead quality improvement and risk management activity.
- Maintain robust information governance and data security arrangements.
- Oversee complaints, incidents and significant event processes.
- Ensure appropriate governance systems are embedded throughout the organisation.
- Promote a culture of learning, improvement and patient safety.
About You
We are looking for an experienced primary care leader who can demonstrate a strong track record of managing complex GP practice operations.
You will be an organised, confident and commercially aware manager who is comfortable taking responsibility, making decisions and working closely with GP Partners and multidisciplinary teams.
You will have the ability to see the bigger picture while also ensuring that the day-to-day running of the practice remains effective.
Most importantly, you will be forward-thinking, approachable and comfortable with change, with a genuine interest in improving the way primary care is delivered.
Essential Experience & Skills
You will need:
- Significant experience as a Practice Manager, Operations Manager or senior leader within primary care.
- Proven experience managing large teams and complex healthcare operations.
- A strong understanding of NHS Primary Care contracts, QOF and Enhanced Services.
- Strong financial, business and budget management skills.
- Experience of CQC inspections and regulatory compliance.
- Excellent communication, leadership and people-management skills.
- Experience managing services across multiple sites.
- Strong digital skills and a genuine interest in technology and innovation.
Desirable
It would be advantageous to have:
- A recognised management qualification such as ILM, CMI, Diploma or Degree level.
- Experience working within a large GP practice, particularly one serving 15,000+ patients.
- Experience working within a Primary Care Network.
- Experience delivering digital transformation projects.
- Knowledge and experience of EMIS Web, Accurx, eConsult, Anima, Microsoft 365, Heidi AI and other AI-enabled healthcare solutions.
What We Are Looking For
The successful candidate will be:
- A visible and inspiring leader who can motivate and develop teams.
- Highly organised and commercially aware, with strong attention to detail.
- Strategic yet hands-on, able to balance immediate operational priorities with longer-term objectives.
- Forward-thinking and adaptable, with the confidence to lead change.
- Technologically confident, with enthusiasm for digital transformation and innovation.
- An excellent communicator, able to build effective relationships with staff, Partners and external stakeholders.
- Patient-focused, with a genuine commitment to high-quality primary care.
- People-focused, recognising the importance of staff wellbeing, development and experience.
- Comfortable working in a large, complex and fast-paced primary care environment.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to join a large, ambitious and technologically advanced GP practice where the Practice Manager will have a genuine opportunity to influence the future direction of the organisation.
You will work closely with the GP Partners and have a key role in developing our services, strengthening our operational infrastructure and identifying new opportunities to improve both patient and staff experience.
If you are an experienced Practice Manager who enjoys leadership, innovation, problem-solving and making a tangible difference, we would be very interested in hearing from you.
Benefits include:
6 weeks annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
NHS Pension
Free onsite parking
Company events
Employee Assistance Programme
Supportive team environment
Location
The role is based across our two sites:
Apsley – HP3 9SQ
Highfield – HP2 5TA
You must be willing and able to work across both sites, which serve patients from Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding communities.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Please note 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced primary care manager ready to take on a senior leadership role within a progressive and ambitious GP practice, we would welcome your application.
Please submit your CV and supporting statement outlining your relevant experience, leadership approach and why you feel you would be a strong fit for this role.
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Education:
- Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience:
- Practice management: 2 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (preferred)
Work Location: In person
