Business Manager to the Chief Nursing Officer
Job Description
Job summary
We are seeking expressions of interest for a Band 6 Business Manager to join the Nursing Directorate on a temporary basis for a period of twelve months from 22 June 2026.
This is a valuable development opportunity to provide a full business support service to the CNO and work closely with senior nursing colleagues in the coordination of key pieces of work for the directorate. We are seeking someone who is organised, proactive and comfortable working at pace, with strong communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities. A full job description is attached for your reference.
Application requirement: Please send a Word document version of your personal statement and CV in one document to [email protected]. Those who do not send this will not be considered for interview. This is in addition to the NHS application form.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 1st July 2026
Main duties of the job
The day-to-day organisation of the Directorate office.
Understanding the overall priorities of the Chief Officer and interpreting these through effective diary planning, management, and facilitation of delivery.
Scheduling, monitoring, and following up on commitments made by the Chief Officer.
Establishing, maintaining, and continually reviewing and improving effective administrative protocols and working practices within the Directorate.
Assisting the Chief Officer in the development, implementation, and maintenance of Directorate-specific policies, protocols, and related systems.
Representing the Directorate and making delegated decisions on behalf of the Chief Officer at an appropriate level.
Managing the operation of Directorate-specific information systems
Supporting the Chief Officer and Support Team in developing, implementing, and maintaining Directorate policies, protocols, and systems.
Making delegated decisions on behalf of the Directorate in relation to performance or business matters.
Holding delegated budgetary responsibility for expenditure relating to the Chief Officer's budget and assigned project budgets.
Line managing administrative staff within the Directorate, including regular supervision and annual appraisals, with involvement of the Chief Officer in objective setting.
Representing the Directorate at internal and external meetings as required.
About us
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and neurodevelopmental services to children, young people, and adults across the South East. Our care is delivered in hospitals, health centres, community settings, and specialist facilities, with research and continuous improvement at the core of our work. We are recruiting a Business Manager to support the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and lead the CNO administrative team. Reporting directly to the CNO, you will oversee a broad portfolio of responsibilities and work closely with senior leaders across the directorate. We are seeking a Business Manager who:
- has a strong track record in administrative and business support,
- is collaborative, compassionate and an effective communicator,
- has experience working with Executive teams,
- demonstrates a commitment to high-quality, person-centred care.
What we offer:
You will join an ambitious organisation that values innovation, development and equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Job responsibilities
Summary:
- Build effective working relationships across the Trust
- Support a culture of performance management within the Directorate
- Develop and manage systems to support the Chief Officer and the smooth running of the Directorate
- Ensure effective communication, audit, and information systems are in place
- Act as the main point of contact for business support within the Directorate
- Arrange and support meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and tracking actions
- Provide highquality administrative and secretarial support to agreed standards and timescales
- Manage and prioritise correspondence, including emails
- Produce, analyse, and present performance and business information to support decisionmaking
- Identify and resolve data issues and anomalies
- Handle sensitive business information appropriately
- Ensure effective performance management and reporting arrangements are in place
- Provide activity and financial information to support Executive decisionmaking
- Support service planning, improvement, and change through clear communication of information
- Provide project support, including planning, monitoring progress, and reporting
- Contribute to Directorate objectives and manage designated projects as required
Staff Management:
Take part in recruitment panels for administrative staff, acting as Chair where required.
Line manage nominated administrative staff within the Directorate and Executive Support Team.
Provide full line management, including supervision, appraisals, absence management, recruitment, and handling performance, grievance, and disciplinary matters.
Financial:
To be an authorised signatory for purchases as specified by the Chief Officer authorising petty cash payments, travel arrangements, meeting expenses and appropriate agency timesheets.
To monitor relevant budgets highlighting any concerns to the Chief Officer.
General:
Maintain a professional and confidential approach when supporting the Chief Officer.
Take part in the Trusts supervision and appraisal process.
Complete personal development activities as agreed with the Chief Officer.
Carry out additional duties requested by senior managers that are appropriate to the role.
Understand, promote, and work in line with the vision and values of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree or diploma level qualification or equivalent experience plus training & experience to post graduate diploma level.
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of business case procedures
- Experience and evidence of analysing, interpreting and presenting information
- Experience and evidence of leading on a project or directly supporting via a project management process
- Experience of performance monitoring
- Experience of managing or maintaining data management systems.
- Experience of servicing meetings and taking minutes
- Experience of line management of staff
- Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
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
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Portland House
Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1HS
United Kingdom
