Operational and Improvement Manager - Community Equipment Service
Job Description
Job summary
Are you an experienced leader passionate about making a difference in adult social care? Devon County Council is seeking a dynamic Operational and Improvement Manager to oversee and enhance our Community Equipment Service (CES). This vital role focuses on promoting independence, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals through innovative service delivery and resource management.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
As the Operational and Improvement Manager, you will:
- Lead the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the CES, Independent Living Centre, and Expert Moving & Handling Services.
- Manage joint-funded NHS and social care budget. Oversee operational delivery, complex stakeholder relationships, and risk management.
- Drive change through digital innovation and sustainable practices.
- Support Devons strategic goals of independence, timely hospital discharge, and equity in care access.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership:
- Deliver improvement projects aligned with council and NHS priorities.
- Programme Management: Manage and implement impactful change initiatives.
- Financial Oversight: Ensure efficiency and compliance within the CES contract.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with healthcare providers, commissioners, and communities to shape services.
- Risk & Governance: Uphold safety, compliance, and performance standards.
What Were Looking For
We need an inspiring leader with:
- A degree or professional qualification, with evidence of continuing development.
- Significant experience in public sector program management, particularly in health and social care.
- Exceptional skills in project management, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement.
- A proactive, data-driven, and inclusive approach to service improvement.
About us
Why Join Us? At Devon County Council, we are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. This role offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of Devons residents while leading a service at the forefront of health and social care integration.
Salary: Competitive, L9 Grade
Location: Devon (travel required)
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on ourEquality and Diversity webpages.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working-The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with theApplicant privacy notice.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visitour Working for Devon page.
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
To lead the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Community Equipment Service (CES) and related integrated health and social care services, including the Independent Living Centre and Expert Moving and handling services.
This role supports high-quality, safe, and efficient service delivery in line with strategic priorities for adult social care and NHS, aligned with our Community Equipment Service Specification and Better Care Fund priorities including promotion of strengths based approach that promotes independence and wellbeing and specifically targeting hospital discharge, admission prevention and preventing, reducing and delaying the need for care and support for individuals in their home, through equipment and Technology Enabled Care provision; advice and support.
The postholder will be responsible for overseeing day to day operational oversight of our Community Equipment Service(CES) contract; including proactive problem solving/decision making; multiple improvement projects, resource and risk management and complex stakeholder relationships including equipment prescribers, independent retailers; and equipment service lead contractor to enhance service delivery within financial and regulatory frameworks.
CONTEXT
- The aims from these Devon strategies that the Service should directly help to deliver include:
- People in Devon will be enabled to stay well, safe and independent at home for longer.
- Provide the right care in the right place at the right time, including supporting the safe and timely discharge from hospital to a persons usual place of residence.
- Everyone in Devon who needs end of life care will receive it and be supported to die in their preferred place.
- Creation/continuation of a greener and more environmentally sustainable health and care system in Devon, that tackles climate change and supports healthier living.
- Diverse populations will have equity in outcomes, access and experience.
- People (including unpaid Carers) in Devon will have the support, skills, knowledge and information they need to be confidently involved as equal partners in all aspects of their health and care.
In 2025, we see the start of a new contract term so exciting opportunity to support the smooth transition from one contract to another and to ensure the contract delivers on quality and key performed indictors, as per the new service specification, to meet the needs of our Devon population, in the communities their live their lives, across adults and childrens services, within the financial envelope.
In line with Devon County Councils values and quality vision, the role demands integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to fostering positive cultural and operational change. The postholder is expected to promote diversity, uphold safetystandards, and be a proactive ambassador for quality and accountability in public service.
RESOURCES
Finance:
Delegated responsibility for the 8 million pound community equipment contract which is a joint funded NHS and Social Care budget via the Better Care Fund. The role will have responsibility to design, develop and deliver on financial monitoring and efficiencies against the contract budget. Delegated responsibility to authorise non-standard stock equip to meet individual needs over 5k up to 12k.
Staff:
Line management of:
- Service manager for Independent living Centre who manages the wider Independent Living Centre and Expert Moving and Handling Adviser (EMHA) Team. (Line management in terms of service delivery/improvement/ achievement and monitoring of KPIs of the service related to service level agreement) This role is hosted by Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust (RDUH) in terms of HR line management. Wider ILC/EMHA staff 8.2 WTE including Band 7,6,5 Therapists.
- DILIS Advanced Practitioner OT (H grade) providing operational and professional supervision and direct line management
Other:
Responsible for contract management and SLA compliance within CES, impacting overall quality of service.
Please refer to the full Job Description & Person Specification on the right hand when completing your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and/or appropriate equivalent professional qualification.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Working knowledge of Adult Protection and Safeguarding responsibilities.
- Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, relevant to community equipment service provision.
- Knowledge of Social Care /NHS processes/procedures.
Desirable
- Certification in Project Management (Prince2, MSP, or equivalent).
- Evidence of management qualifications such as MBA, DMS, or MSc.
- Understanding of supply and logistics (desirable).
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in public sector program management, with expertise in service improvement within local government or NHS settings.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large-scale change initiatives, particularly across health and social care settings.
- Experience of prescribing equipment to support independence and wellbeing and/or working within the community equipment service industry.
- Experience of line managing individuals/teams.
- Experience of leading/influencing people/teams with no direct line ...
