Job responsibilities
Your main duties will include:
- Ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of a comprehensive, cross-site and cross-functional business management service, to meet the needs ofthe Directorate;
- To be a visible, positive and competent leader and role model ensuring high professional standards and behaviours across the business support team;
- Lead the day-to-day operational delivery of the Directorate business support function, responsibilities and resources, planning and managing the physical resources that ensure the business support function is fully equipped and fit for purpose
- Effective line management of administrative and business management staff (if applicable) and management of administrative functions to ensure flexibility and capacity to meet the needs of the Directorate.
- Routinely monitor and report to the Senior Team on staffing levels against the budgeted establishment and provide practical advice and support to managers on resourcing options, liaising with Finance and HR business partners as appropriate;
- Ensure the Directorate establishment requests (ECFs, RRFs, SAFs) are processed in line with strategic direction, national guidance, the Directorate or budget and appropriate recruitment and HR processes. Working with HR and Finance business partners where appropriate.
- Work closely with professional HR colleagues in the delivery and implementation of workforce matters e.g. training, policy briefings, change programmes etc.
- Where appropriate, provide advice and support to managers within the Directorate on related workforce matters, through effective liaison with national experts e.g. HR, recruitment, learning and development etc.
- Manage end to end business support and administrative processes to ensure adherence to governance requirements and flexibility and capacity to meet the needs of the Directorate;
- Lead the Integrated Business Planning process and production of business plans for the Director in conjunction with the Senior Management Team;
- Oversee the monitoring process of the Directorate business plans to ensure delivery against the plan, highlighting any risks to delivery and feeding into the regional or national relevant assurance processes where appropriate;
- Produce robust business cases and option appraisals to support decision making, incorporating appropriate information, costings, analysis and risks.
- Deliver the directorate budgeting, resourcing, planning and business management, working with other directorates and corporate leads in UKHSA to ensure the directorate meets its corporate requirements and liaises effectively with other directorates.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Essential criteria:
- Postgraduate level of education e.g. NVQ7, MBA with management experience, or equivalent level of experience which includes management experience
- Significant experience of working in a business management role.
- Proven experience of managing others in a managerial or supervisory role including performance management, carrying out appraisals and development
- Experience setting, monitoring, and managing budgets
- Experience of working in the public sector in a similar role
- Understanding of procurement and/or business development
- Understanding of H&S Policy and procedures
- Understanding of digital tools and how to apply them to maximise efficiency
- Ability to confidently engage with and participate in a range of forums and networks (internal and external) sharing best practice and knowledge in collaborative way
- Highly effective delegation and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage competing demands (self and others)
- Positive and inspirational in leading and supporting others through change
- Proactively create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people
Desirable criteria:
- Experience of working in the public sector or a similar large organisation in a similar role
- Experience of planning and delivering projects or organisational change
Selection process
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- a 1500 word supporting statement
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Significant experience of working in a business management role
- Proven experience of managing others in a managerial or supervisory role including performance management, carrying out appraisals and development
- Experience setting, monitoring, and managing budgets.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 15 minute presentation as part of the interview. The details of this will be: You are joining as Senior Business Operations Manager during an organisational change process to merge two regional teams. Your role spans leadership, financial management, risk management and business planning. What would be your approach during the first 6 months to establishing an effective, integrated operational function across the new region while maintaining service delivery and managing risk effectively?
Interviews will be held week commencing 13th April 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
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 hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Leeds.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) on site.
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Eligibility Criteria
This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules. Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard clearance.
