Service Manager – Elderly Care (Private Occupancy Focus)

Job summary

Job Description

Role Overview

The Service Manager – Elderly Care will take operational and developmental responsibility for a 22-bed elderly unit within Applecross Nursing Home. The role combines strong clinical leadership with a clear focus on increasing private occupancy, enhancing the service offering, and building the home’s reputation within the local community.

Working closely with the General Manager, the postholder will lead the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care while driving sustainable growth in private residents through effective relationship building, networking, and service development.

This is a key role within the organisation, offering the opportunity to shape and grow a defined part of the service with full support from senior leadership and a commitment to investment.

Key Responsibilities

The Service Manager will lead the day-to-day running of the elderly unit, ensuring consistently high standards of care, compliance, and resident experience. They will be responsible for maintaining a safe, well-led, and responsive service in line with Care Inspectorate standards and best practice.

A central focus of the role will be increasing private occupancy. The postholder will actively manage enquiries, conduct show rounds, and build strong relationships with prospective residents, families, and external professionals. This will include networking with hospitals, social work teams, and community contacts to promote the service and generate referrals.

The role will involve developing and enhancing the unit’s overall offer to meet the expectations of the private market. This includes working with the General Manager to identify opportunities for improvement in environment, service delivery, and resident experience.

The Service Manager will lead and develop the staff team within the unit, ensuring appropriate supervision, performance management, and ongoing development. They will promote a positive, accountable culture focused on quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

They will contribute to the effective management of resources, including staffing and budgets within the unit, and provide regular updates to senior management on performance, occupancy, and development activity.

The postholder will also ensure that safeguarding, risk management, and resident wellbeing remain central to all aspects of the service.

Performance and Bonus

The role includes a performance-related bonus of up to £10,000, linked to the achievement of agreed targets. These will primarily focus on the growth of private occupancy within the elderly unit, alongside the maintenance of high-quality care standards and regulatory compliance.