Health service manager

Health service managers run local healthcare services like hospitals, GP practices and community clinics.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a health service manager, you could:

  • recruit, train and supervise staff
  • set and manage budgets
  • use data to monitor and improve services
  • make sure regulations are followed
  • work with clinical staff and other professionals

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre or at a GP practice.

Career path and progression

You could complete a higher level management qualification, like a master's in business administration (MBA) or a diploma in management studies (DMS). This may lead to senior managerial jobs at operational and strategic level.

You could also apply for jobs like director or chief executive of a health service provider.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • business management skills
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • administration skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Most relevant

  • Business - Health service managers set and manage budgets, oversee recruitment, and make strategic decisions about how services are run. Understanding business management concepts like organisational structure, financial planning, and leadership is central to their daily work.
  • Mathematics - Health service managers work with budgets, analyse performance data, and monitor service costs. They need to be confident with numbers to interpret financial reports, spot trends in patient data, and make evidence-based decisions about resource allocation.
  • Biology - Health service managers work alongside doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff in hospitals and GP practices. Understanding how the human body works and the basics of health and disease helps them make informed decisions about the services they manage.
  • English Language - Health service managers write reports, policies, and communications for a wide range of audiences – from clinical staff to patients to senior executives. They also need strong verbal communication skills for meetings, negotiations, and presenting plans to stakeholders.

Also relevant

  • Accounting - Health service managers are responsible for setting and managing budgets, often involving millions of pounds of public money. Understanding financial accounts, cost control, and how to track spending against targets helps them keep services financially sustainable.
  • Psychology - Health service managers lead and motivate diverse teams of staff, and need to understand what drives people's behaviour and wellbeing at work. Knowledge of psychology also helps when designing services that meet the needs of patients and communities.
  • Sociology - Health service managers need to understand the communities their services support, including how factors like poverty, inequality, and social background affect people's health. This helps them plan services that reach the people who need them most.
  • Law - Health service managers must ensure their organisations follow healthcare regulations, employment law, and data protection rules. Understanding legal frameworks helps them manage compliance and handle issues like patient rights and staff contracts.
  • Economics - Health service managers make decisions about how to allocate limited resources across competing priorities – a core economic challenge. Understanding concepts like supply and demand, public spending, and efficiency helps them get the best outcomes from available funding.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

You can become a health service manager by training on the NHS General Management graduate scheme.

Entry is usually with an upper second class degree or above. Most degree subjects are acceptable though you may need a recommended subject for certain specialist management roles, for example finance.

As part of your training you will work towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership.

Some private healthcare providers also offer graduate general management schemes.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

You could get relevant skills and knowledge for this job by doing a Chartered Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This typically takes 4 years to complete and is a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study at an approved university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

You can get into health service management by working your way up from an administrative or clinical role within the NHS.

You're likely to need 4 to 5 GCSE grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and possibly A levels, or equivalent, for an administrator role.

With experience and further training, you can move up to supervisory or management level. Your employer will have details about appropriate courses.

You can apply directly if you already have management experience from the private, public or voluntary sector.

Professional and industry bodies

You could apply to become a member of the Institute of Health & Social Care Management. This would give you access to training and development opportunities and professional recognition.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a health service manager from Health Careers.

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