PCN Manager and Digital Transformation LeadGP Practice

Job OverviewThe Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across Kendal Primary Care Network, working closely with the Clinical Director, three Practice Managers and the Delivery Group to translate the PCN’s strategic priorities into effective delivery.The post holder will lead and coordinate a broad portfolio spanning finance and resources, workforce and organisational development, digital transformation, service improvement, data and population health, governance and partnership working.The role requires a high degree of autonomy, sound judgement and a strong focus on delivery. The Manager will take ownership of agreed programmes and priorities, maintain momentum, bring people and organisations together, and ensure that agreed actions and improvements are delivered and evaluated.Key Accountabilities and ResponsibilitiesStrategic and Operational LeadershipProvide day-to-day operational leadership of the PCN, working within the strategic direction agreed by the Clinical Director, Delivery Group and member practices.Manage the implementation of the DES and monitor to ensure practices are delivering the DES and IIF targetsTranslate PCN strategy and agreed priorities into practical plans, programmes and measurable actions.Develop and maintain the PCN’s strategic and business planning arrangements and provide regular progress updates.Clarify objectives, priorities, timescales and responsibilities for PCN delivery, taking account of capacity, financial parameters and contractual requirements.Lead and coordinate a varied portfolio of work, balancing strategic development with day-to-day operational requirements.Identify opportunities for innovation, service redesign and new ways of working across the PCN.Ensure agreed actions, projects and programmes are progressed to completion, escalating issues and risks where required.Support the Clinical Director and Delivery Group with strategic and operational decision-making.Finance and Resource ManagementPrepare and monitor PCN budgets and financial forecasts.Provide regular financial information, reports and updates to support informed decision-making.Oversee ARRS expenditure and funding utilisation.Monitor PCN staffing expenditure and work with relevant HR/payroll support to ensure appropriate financial administration.Support development of business cases, funding applications and new proposals.Identify opportunities to maximise value, improve efficiency and secure additional investment.Ensure financial resources are used effectively to support PCN priorities and contractual requirements.Maintain appropriate financial records and work with relevant external finance support as required.Workforce and Organisational DevelopmentLead workforce planning and development across the PCN.Coordinate ARRS workforce planning, utilisation and reporting.Oversee recruitment, onboarding and integration of PCN staff, working with appropriate HR and employment support.Lead appraisal, wellbeing and staff development processes, alongside clinical leads and relevant colleagues.Support training, progression, retention and effective deployment of PCN staff.Work with member practices and clinical leads to support effective integration of multidisciplinary teams.Identify opportunities to improve workforce models, skill mix and ways of working.Support the development of a sustainable PCN workforce strategy.Digital Leadership and InnovationLead digital transformation and innovation across the PCN.Drive adoption and optimisation of digital tools across member practices.Support increased utilisation of the NHS App and other patient-facing digital services.Promote digital inclusion and improve patient engagement through technology.Identify opportunities for automation and digital solutions to improve productivity and operational efficiency.Work with practices to optimise clinical systems, reporting tools and digital workflows.Coordinate implementation of PCN-wide digital projects and system developments.Explore and support the safe and appropriate use of AI-enabled technologies to improve productivity, service delivery and patient experience.Transformation and Service ImprovementLead delivery of the PCN’s transformation and improvement agenda.Develop and implement service improvement programmes aligned with PCN, neighborhood and wider system priorities.Manage projects and programmes, including plans, milestones, measures, risks, dependencies and communication.Support implementation of national and local contractual requirements.Work with member practices to identify and implement improvements in service delivery and pathways.Support development and implementation of business cases and new service proposals.Use structured improvement and project-management approaches to deliver measurable outcomes.Monitor impact and ensure learning is captured and used to inform future development.Support improvements in patient access, patient experience and operational efficiency.Data, Performance and Population HealthDevelop and maintain PCN-wide performance dashboards and reporting arrangements.Analyse operational, workforce, access, financial and population-health data to inform decision-making.Use business intelligence and other appropriate data tools to support a data-driven approach to service planning and transformation.Monitor PCN performance against relevant contractual and agreed local priorities.Support population health management initiatives using data and intelligence.Identify opportunities to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes.Translate complex data and information into clear recommendations, actions and measures.Produce regular performance reports for the Clinical Director and PCN Board/Delivery Group as appropriate.Governance, Compliance and RiskSupport effective PCN Board and Delivery Group governance processes.Prepare agendas, papers, reports and other documentation as required.Maintain oversight of risks, actions, decisions and organisational compliance.Ensure appropriate policies, processes and reporting arrangements are maintained.Support delivery of contractual and regulatory requirements relevant to the PCN.Ensure decisions and agreed actions are recorded, communicated and followed through to completion.Maintain appropriate information governance, confidentiality and data-quality standards within the scope of the role.Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership WorkingBuild effective, trusted relationships with member practices, clinicians, staff and system partners.Work closely with the three Practice Managers and Clinical Director to develop and deliver PCN priorities.Represent the PCN at relevant meetings, forums and strategic discussions.Work collaboratively with the Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative, ICB colleagues and wider health, care and community partners.Develop effective relationships across clinical, operational and organisational boundaries.Support effective communication and engagement across the PCN and member practices.Attend meetings on behalf of the Clinical Director or PCN where appropriate and provide clear feedback.Develop and maintain relationships with other PCNs, clinical leaders, commissioners and relevant external organisations in pursuit of PCN priorities.Patient and Community EngagementSupport meaningful patient involvement in service transformation and the wider work of the PCN.Consider patient experience, access and inclusion when developing and evaluating services.Support communication and engagement activities that help patients understand and use available services and digital options.Working RelationshipsClinical DirectorThree-Member Practice ManagersPCN Delivery GroupPCN clinical and non-clinical workforceMember practices and their teamsICB colleaguesMorecambe Bay Primary Care CollaborativeOther PCNs and primary care partnersGP Federation and relevant clinical leadersWider NHS, social care, community and voluntary-sector partnersGeneral ResponsibilitiesWork in accordance with the values, policies and procedures of Kendal Primary Care Network and its member practices.Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance and data-protection requirements.Take reasonable care of personal health and safety and that of colleagues and service users.Maintain professional standards and undertake appropriate training and development.Work flexibly across PCN sites and with external partners as required by the role.The duties and responsibilities described are not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the role, and the job description may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changes in PCN priorities, contractual requirements and service development.Person SpecificationExperienceProven experience in a management or leadership role — EssentialExperience of managing budgets, financial planning and performance reporting — EssentialExperience of leading or delivering transformation, improvement or change programmes — EssentialExperience of managing projects or programmes from planning through to delivery and evaluation — EssentialExperience of managing competing priorities and delivering work to agreed timescales — EssentialExperience working within primary care or the wider NHS — DesirableExperience of workforce planning, recruitment, staff development or HR processes — DesirableExperience of working across organisational or partnership boundaries — DesirableExperience of developing business cases, funding applications or securing additional investment — DesirableExperience of digital transformation or technology-enabled service improvement — DesirableKnowledgeUnderstanding of financial planning, budget monitoring and resource management — EssentialKnowledge of Xero accounting package — DesirableKnowledge and understanding of change, transformation and service improvement approaches — EssentialKnowledge of using data and performance information to inform decisions — EssentialKnowledge of governance, risk management and organisational compliance — EssentialKnowledge of the PCN DES and ARRS — DesirableKnowledge of the NHS primary care operating environment — DesirableKnowledge of population health management and health inequalities — DesirableKnowledge of digital transformation and opportunities for automation/AI-enabled technologies — DesirableSkillsStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and use data effectively — EssentialExcellent written and verbal communication skills — EssentialStrong stakeholder-management, influencing and relationship-building skills — EssentialStrong organisational skills and the ability to identify clear priorities while managing multiple stakeholder expectations — EssentialAbility to work independently, exercise sound judgement and take ownership for delivery — EssentialAbility to lead change, engage others and bring people with you — EssentialAbility to translate strategy into practical plans, actions and measurable outcomes — EssentialAbility to manage complex projects and programmes — EssentialProficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, and confident learning and using relevant digital systems — EssentialAbility to present complex information clearly to clinical, managerial and external audiences — EssentialPersonal QualitiesSelf-motivated, proactive and able to work with a high degree of autonomy — EssentialPragmatic, solutions-focused and able to make sound decisions — EssentialA completer-finisher who maintains momentum and follows actions through to completion — EssentialCollaborative and able to work effectively with people from different professional and organisational backgrounds — EssentialApproachable, empathetic and able to build trust — EssentialHigh levels of integrity, professionalism and discretion — EssentialAdaptable and able to embrace and lead change — EssentialCommitted to equality, diversity, inclusion and reducing health inequalities — EssentialOtherRight to live and work in the UK — EssentialWillingness to work flexibly across PCN sites and occasionally outside usual hours where required — EssentialSuccessful completion of any required employment checks, including DBS where applicable to the role — Essential