Job Description

The role of the Business Manager is to strengthen operational rigour, commercial performance and leadership capability across a small cluster of Practices (or a complex single Practice), while developing future Operations Manager talent.

The Business Manager operates with greater autonomy and commercial accountability than our Practice Managers. The role focuses on performance optimisation, capability building of colleagues and consistent delivery of operational, patient and colleague KPIs.

This role is both a performance role and a development role, acting as a feeder to Operations Manager succession.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Management:

Deliver financial performance across a defined group of Practices (or a large / complex Practice), supporting EBITDA, revenue growth and utilisation KPIs.

Develop business area plan and translate practice plans into clear, actionable commercial priorities.

Support Practice Managers (areas within complex Practice) to manage chair utilisation, appointment availability and costs effectively.

Analyse financial and operational data to identify risks, opportunities and corrective actions.

Lead monthly Business Reviews with Practices, OM and PCL, ensuring clear actions and pace of delivery.

People Leadership & Capability Building:

Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and challenge to Practice Managers.

Support Practice Managers to address underperformance, capability gaps and behavioural issues.

Role model strong leadership behaviours, reinforcing a values‑led performance culture.

Support recruitment, onboarding and development of Practice Managers and key practice roles.

Identify and develop emerging talent, to realise personal and business objectives.

Patient Experience:

• Ensure high standards of patient experience are delivered consistently across Practice(s).

• Coordinate activity that supports optimisation of patient accessibility, appointment flow and treatment coordination.

• Manage patient feedback and complaints trends, supporting effective resolution and learning.

Commercial Delivery & Operational Excellence:

Set the standard for operational excellence, coaching teams to adopt best practice.

Deliver and optimise the practice marketing plan to drive demand, conversion and revenue.

Support delivery of change initiatives and operational improvement projects.

Work closely with Clinical and central support teams to ensure aligned delivery.

Identify operational risks early and intervene to stabilise performance.

Self-Employed Relationships

Support Practice Managers in building strong, productive relationships with self‑employed clinicians.

Assist with optimisation of chair hours and mitigation of clinician churn risks.

Compliance

Ensure Practices operate safely, compliantly and in line with regulatory requirements.

Support Practice Managers in managing regulated activity and audit readiness.

Provide compliance coaching and oversight rather than holding registered accountability (unless specifically assigned).

Administration, Reporting & Performance Tracking:

Track, analyse and report on KPIs across assigned Practice(s).

Provide clear insight and recommendations to the Operations Manager.

Lead the development and tracking of performance recovery plans where required.

Leadership Growth & Succession Readiness

Own your leadership and commercial development, actively seeking feedback, learning and stretch opportunities in preparation for progression to Head of Operations.

Build strategic, financial and leadership capability to demonstrate readiness for future senior leadership roles within Operations.

Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects that support business priorities, transformation and growth, broadening exposure beyond Operations.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

EBITDA (Practice or cluster)

Revenue and utilisation

Delivery of improvement plans

Practice Manager capability and engagement

Patient NPS

Compliance and regulatory standard

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience of P&L management

Proven leadership experience, ideally within a consumer or service‑led environment

Experience coaching and developing managers

Data‑driven, with confidence interpreting and acting on performance metrics

Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills

Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in ambiguous environments

Aspiration and capability to progress into an Operations Manager role

Who are we?

PortmanDentex is a leading dental group where your skills and ambitions make a real difference. We support over 370 practices across the UK and Ireland. We’re united by a passion for great dentistry, putting patients first and helping each other grow both at work and beyond

Application process

When you click apply, we’ll just need your CV and contact details, along with the answer to four quick questions and your application will be complete! You’ll get a response as quickly as we can, whatever the outcome of your application.