NHS senior mangement job application

[JobApplicationApprehension]

I’m currently band 8a and tempted to apply for an 8c role. I meet majority of the essential and lots of the desirably criteria, but the only thing giving me pause is the essential requirement for “substantial experience of senior management”. I manage several teams, and google tells me 8a is the first rung of NHS senior management, but I have always thought of 8b being the start of senior management and 8a as more middle management. So not sure if im ticking that box. Will reach out to the recruiting manager for a chat but thought I’d see if the hive mind had an opinion - mumsnet has been really helpful when I’ve posted on career stuff before.

So wondering if anyone else has gone from 8a to 8c, or had any experience of colleagues doing similar? Or whether you had any thoughts on 8a as a senior manager role?

YABU = 8a is senior management in NHS
YANBU = 8a is not senior management in NHS

Nothing to lose by applying OP.

One thing I’ve noticed though as an NHS manager is 8c roles have the added competition of 8d applicants looking to down shift a band for work / life balance!

Don’t second guess yourself. Apply, believe in yourself and don’t contact the recruiter. Worst case - they say “no”. Their loss.

I’d not thought about that - had mostly been thinking about all the 8bs and 8cs who might apply as are currently being made redundant!

Thank you, you are right there is nothing to lose by putting an applicant in. I’ve not heard of many skipping a pay band though, so not sure how common it is

Bad advice not to contact the recruiting manager, it's very much expected in the NHS to call to get a feel for the job and show serious interest.

OP, I'd say it's unlikely you'd get the job, but not impossible. It's possible to skip pay bands but 8cs don't come up often and I imagine it will be competitive. Do you feel you're qualified for the job, and capable of it? If so, apply. Even if you get to interview stage, it's experience.

Oh, definitely call the recruiter (if they are handling contacts) but definitely don’t call to talk yourself out of a job by querying your own level of experience.

thanks owl

That’s my thought too, even when I’ve been unsuccessful at interview previously, it’s always been a useful experience and the feedback has been helpful. I’ve only ever known one person skip a pay band so am not getting too attached to the idea of the role, even though it sounds great

I would urge you to apply, there are though many senior manager colleagues from NHSE and the ICB that are being made redundant so your application needs to stand out you need to be clear on the parts of your CV that meet the spec. I would also focus on your relationships with strategic partners- think about your work with other trusts/ icbs for example. Also what’s your role in the 10 year plan and the left shift conversation - the difference between an 8a and 8c is strategy, it’s working in the system, it’s negotiating etc - so what can you do here?

Agree with everything @JoWilkinsonsno1fansaid.

I went from 8a to 8c a couple of years ago, so absolutely do-able. Was a tough interview though! Go for it, good luck.

Thanks JoeWilkinsonsNo1Fan they are really helpful pointers, I will bear that in mind for completing the application and for prepping if invited to interview

tbanks NeonK for sharing your experience, reassuring to hear it can be done, although trying to remain realistic about the chances in the current climate!