UK Health Security Agency

Assistant Business Manager

The closing date is 29 May 2025

Job summary

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA's remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation's expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

  • Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation's readiness, defences and health security
  • Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
  • Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
  • Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
  • Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a proactive individual who can demonstrate professionalism and effective business management and communication skills; as well as the ability to work flexibly and efficiently in a demanding environment. Candidates should be educated to degree level in relevant subjects or equivalent level qualification or should have significant experience of working at a similar level. This is a site-based role with occasional requirements to travel nationally for face-to-face meetings for example at Colindale London.

The post holder will provide business analysis support and expertise to the UKHSA Regional Public Health Laboratories and ensure business operations and diagnostic outputs within the Specialist Microbiology Services network are monitored and reviewed in order to ensure cost, quality criteria, internal and external customer requirements are met at all times.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

15 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£40,661 to £46,613 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-HM-300470-EXT

Job locations

Heartlands Hospital

Bordesley Green East

Birmingham

B9 5SS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Provide support on contract and agreement matters, business operations and diagnostic output monitoring to the laboratory management team and members of the divisional office.
  • Ensure Public Health Microbiology Network Managers and Laboratory Management receive appropriate contract management, business operations and diagnostic output monitoring support; this involves working closely with the Microbiology Network Managers and Laboratory Management Teams in the provision of appropriate information
  • To support the production of contracts, activity reports, diagnostic outputs and business reporting and support the maintenance of a monitoring systems and agreements databases.
  • Support ensuring those NHS contracts and reports submitted for review are compatible with the standard NHS contract clauses and strategic objectives and highlight issues including financial, safety and quality impacts.
  • Provide information and support to the PHM Operations lead on all aspects of activity data including data collection and validation relating to regular outputs such as the regional activity indicators, and monitoring and analysis of such data.
  • Assist the Head of Operations in the establishment and maintenance of robust systems and processes for administration, risk management and business support across the division.
  • Assist the Head of Operations lead in undertaking any necessary analysis of financial and management information in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
  • Comment on, propose changes and support in the implementation of policies and procedures used by the laboratory (in relation to Business Management).
  • Support the monthly invoicing of NHS contracted work for NHS customers.
  • Respond to internal and external customer inquiries/ problems regarding invoicing.
  • To keep up to date on developments within UKHSA and to identify and assess and inform the Public Health Microbiology Network Managers about developments in the NHS and Public Health Community.
  • Assist in the development of business cases submitted to the PHM Divisional Office.
  • Provide general administrative and financial support to the Laboratory Office.
  • Attend key operational meetings.
  • Any other tasks commensurate with the grading and duties of this post.
  • Provide the development of business intelligence to monitor Laboratory activity.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria:

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject (e.g. Business, Finance, Economics, HR, Marketing) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience working in a business management role
  • Experience of managing and motivating a team
  • High levels of energy, initiative and persistence
  • Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others
  • Strong computer literacy including the development and use of spreadsheet applications, databases and word-processing
  • Good communication skills to people at all levels either on a one-to-one basis or to groups
  • Good written communication skills e.g. ability to draft policy/procedure documents, write reports/presentations and business cases
  • Dealing with documents and correspondence of a confidential and/or sensitive matter.
  • Numerate
  • Good organisational skills and systematic approach to working
  • Sound analytical skills and good judgment when providing opinion or advice to others.
  • Strategic thinking ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 13 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Up to 1250-word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essentialcriteria
  • Meets some essential criteria

  • Meets no essential criteria

Piles Meets all essentialcriteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject (e.g. Business, Finance, Economics, HR, Marketing) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience working in a business management role

Please do not exceed1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, ability and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving (lead)
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Birmingham.

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Provide support on contract and agreement matters, business operations and diagnostic output monitoring to the laboratory management team and members of the divisional office.
  • Ensure Public Health Microbiology Network Managers and Laboratory Management receive appropriate contract management, business operations and diagnostic output monitoring support; this involves working closely with the Microbiology Network Managers and Laboratory Management Teams in the provision of appropriate information
  • To support the production of contracts, activity reports, diagnostic outputs and business reporting and support the maintenance of a monitoring systems and agreements databases.
  • Support ensuring those NHS contracts and reports submitted for review are compatible with the standard NHS contract clauses and strategic objectives and highlight issues including financial, safety and quality impacts.
  • Provide information and support to the PHM Operations lead on all aspects of activity data including data collection and validation relating to regular outputs such as the regional activity indicators, and monitoring and analysis of such data.
  • Assist the Head of Operations in the establishment and maintenance of robust systems and processes for administration, risk management and business support across the division.
  • Assist the Head of Operations lead in undertaking any necessary analysis of financial and management information in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
  • Comment on, propose changes and support in the implementation of policies and procedures used by the laboratory (in relation to Business Management).
  • Support the monthly invoicing of NHS contracted work for NHS customers.
  • Respond to internal and external customer inquiries/ problems regarding invoicing.
  • To keep up to date on developments within UKHSA and to identify and assess and inform the Public Health Microbiology Network Managers about developments in the NHS and Public Health Community.
  • Assist in the development of business cases submitted to the PHM Divisional Office.
  • Provide general administrative and financial support to the Laboratory Office.
  • Attend key operational meetings.
  • Any other tasks commensurate with the grading and duties of this post.
  • Provide the development of business intelligence to monitor Laboratory activity.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria:

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject (e.g. Business, Finance, Economics, HR, Marketing) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience working in a business management role
  • Experience of managing and motivating a team
  • High levels of energy, initiative and persistence
  • Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others
  • Strong computer literacy including the development and use of spreadsheet applications, databases and word-processing
  • Good communication skills to people at all levels either on a one-to-one basis or to groups
  • Good written communication skills e.g. ability to draft policy/procedure documents, write reports/presentations and business cases
  • Dealing with documents and correspondence of a confidential and/or sensitive matter.
  • Numerate
  • Good organisational skills and systematic approach to working
  • Sound analytical skills and good judgment when providing opinion or advice to others.
  • Strategic thinking ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 13 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Up to 1250-word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essentialcriteria
  • Meets some essential criteria

  • Meets no essential criteria

Piles Meets all essentialcriteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject (e.g. Business, Finance, Economics, HR, Marketing) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience working in a business management role

Please do not exceed1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, ability and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving (lead)
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Birmingham.

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Person Specification

Application form and Statement of Suitability

Essential

  • Application form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
Person Specification

Application form and Statement of Suitability

Essential

  • Application form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Heartlands Hospital

Bordesley Green East

Birmingham

B9 5SS


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Heartlands Hospital

Bordesley Green East

Birmingham

B9 5SS


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Officer

Harry Mccullagh

recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

15 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£40,661 to £46,613 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-HM-300470-EXT

Job locations

Heartlands Hospital

Bordesley Green East

Birmingham

B9 5SS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)