Graduate Operational Management Apprentice
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Apprenticeship
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 16/09/2026
- Closes
- 30/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“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.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This is a 36-month graduate development programme at Aintree University Hospital, offering hands-on experience in operational management through rotational placements. Apprentices will contribute to capacity management, performance, workforce coordination, and service improvement, while completing a Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager apprenticeship. The programme aims to develop future NHS operational leaders for senior management roles. This is a locally managed Trust apprenticeship, not part of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.
Key responsibilities
- Support day-to-day operations, coordinating activity, resources, and capacity.
- Contribute to performance monitoring and improvement against local and national standards.
- Support operational teams and contribute to workforce coordination and communication.
- Assist with audits, data analysis, and improvement activity, supporting governance processes and risk management.
- Gain experience in operational planning, demand and capacity, and contribute to financial and resource management.
Essential criteria
- Undergraduate degree minimum 2:2 (any discipline)
- Evidence of academic or professional learning demonstrating analytical ability
- Willingness and ability to undertake a Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager apprenticeship
- Experience working in a complex, fast-paced organisational environment
- Experience coordinating people, processes, projects or workstreams
- Exposure to operational delivery, service performance, or improvement activity
- Understanding of the role of operations management in service delivery
- Awareness of performance, demand, capacity or workflow concepts
- Awareness of governance, accountability and professional standards in organisations
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to interpret data and information to support decision-making
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to plan, prioritise and manage competing demands
- Ability to influence, engage and build professional relationships
- Demonstrates behaviours aligned to LUHFT values
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Resilience and adaptability in demanding environments
- Openness to feedback and commitment to continuous development
- Demonstrated interest in a career in NHS operational leadership
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc, MBA, MRes, PGCert/PGDip)
- Experience within the NHS, healthcare, or public sector
- Experience of supporting or delivering change or improvement initiatives
- Experience working with performance or management information
- Awareness of NHS operational pressures and priorities
- Knowledge of quality improvement or change management approaches
- Presentation or report-writing skills
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Graduate Operational Management Apprentice
The closing date is 30 September 2026
Job summary
Graduate Operational Management Apprentice This is a unique opportunity to join Aintree University Hospital on a 36-month graduate development programme. You will gain hands-on experience in operational management through rotational placements across clinical and corporate services, working alongside senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.
You will contribute to key areas including capacity management, performance, workforce coordination and service improvement, with increasing responsibility over time. Alongside this, you will complete the Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager apprenticeship and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme.
This programme is designed to develop future NHS operational leaders and prepare you for progression into senior management roles.
This is a locally managed Trust apprenticeship programme and is not part of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.
Annex 21 Pay Arrangement (36-Month Programme) Programme Year Period (Indicative) Annex 21 % of Band 6 salary Year 1 Sep - Aug (Year 1) 65% Year 2 Sep - Aug (Year 2) 70% Year 3 Sep - Aug (Year 3) 75%
Main duties of the job
As an Operational Management Apprentice, you will undertake a structured development programme, gai
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