Career Progression Options for Primary Care Network Managers

If you're a PCN Manager considering your next career move, there are numerous pathways to explore. Here are the key options and strategies for developing your career

Let's jump in!

Leadership Roles in Primary Care

Natural progression routes within primary care include Federation CEO, COO, or Neighbourhood Lead positions.

Or.... a CEO role managing your current network or multiple networks, Programme or Project Management positions focusing on strategic initiatives, and spearheading integrated services across organisations could also be an option.

Key Strategies for Career Development

1. Network Strategically

Networking is crucial for career progression, yet many PCN Managers overlook or feel uncomfortable doing it. Connecting with fellow PCN managers, healthcare professionals, and industry experts opens doors to opportunities you didn't know existed.

Attend conferences, join professional associations, engage in online forums, and participate in local healthcare networks.

These connections provide support, share best practices, and alert you to new opportunities.

Understanding Different Networking Styles

Not everyone networks the same way. Understanding these approaches helps you identify your style and connect effectively:

The Hawk - Strategic networkers who are highly intentional about growing their network. They target people who can help them and leverage connections to expand their reach. Whilst this sounds transactional, hawks are effective because they're clear about their goals.

How to work with hawks: Be direct about what you're looking for and offering. Hawks appreciate clarity and efficiency.

The Social Butterfly - Super friendly and naturally gifted at striking up conversations, social butterflies are great connectors without ulterior motives. They genuinely want to connect and make friends, know everyone, and naturally bring people together.

How to work with social butterflies: Don't overthink it. Be genuine and enjoy the conversation. These relationships often lead to unexpected opportunities.

The Tech Savvy Networker - More comfortable networking online, they excel at curating and sharing information through LinkedIn, X, or professional forums. They spark conversations through content, attracting attention and making it easy to connect.

How to work with tech-savvy networkers: Engage with their content online, share thoughtful comments, and contribute to discussions. Relationships often start digitally before becoming personal.

The Turtle - Shy and often experiencing imposter syndrome. Turtles are superstars who don't know it yet. They have tremendous experience and insight, but are hesitant to put themselves out there.

If you're a turtle: Remember, you have valuable experience and knowledge. Start small. Share insights in smaller group settings or through written contributions. Your expertise matters, and the healthcare system needs your voice.

You may naturally embody multiple networking styles. All approaches work, just try to give more than you take. Your next opportunity is likely just a couple of conversations away.

2. Take Initiative

Don't wait for opportunities. Create them. Identify areas within your organisation where you can make a meaningful impact. Lead quality improvement projects, spearhead new initiatives, or volunteer for leadership roles. If you're proposing something new, you'll need to convince and provide evidence for your proposition.

3. Clarify Your Career Goals

Consider your priorities:

➡️ What experience do you want to gain?

➡️ What are your strengths and weaknesses?

➡️ What are your non-negotiables versus areas for compromise?

➡️ Which skills do you want to develop?

➡️ What can your current or potential employer offer?

Given the economic environment in primary care, your next move may not bring a salary increase.

Think long-term. Healthcare careers span decades, so consider what you want next rather than what pays more immediately.

4. Identify Your Transferable Skills

As a PCN Manager, you've developed impressive transferable skills: developing systems and processes, clinical and non-clinical governance, quality improvement, HR activities, data analysis, stakeholder management, financial planning, change management, building relationships, project management, commissioning services, and implementing national policy and guidelines.

These skills apply across the entire health and care system, both public and private.

5. Spot Opportunities in the System

Look for gaps and challenges.

➡️ What organisations do you interact with?

➡️ Where could you help?

➡️ What organisations would value more PCN engagement?

One of your superpowers is knowing Primary Care. Take this to organisations weak in that area.

6. Develop Those Around You

If you've wrapped your role completely around you, progression becomes difficult.

Delegate and have confidence that you don't need to be front and centre to be valued and respected.

Developing and empowering others enables you to spot new opportunities.

Where Can You Go Beyond PCN Management?

Your skills are valuable across vast organisations in both NHS and private sectors.

NHS opportunities include Trusts, Integrated Care Systems and Boards, community health services and mental health trusts.

Private sector opportunities span private hospitals and clinics, healthcare consultancies, digital health companies and healthtech startups, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, private medical insurance, healthcare training organisations, and third-sector healthcare organisations.

Why the Private Sector Values PCN Managers

Your understanding of how the NHS works, particularly at the primary care interface, is incredibly valuable. You understand navigating NHS systems, primary care challenges, patient pathways, clinical governance, stakeholder management, and the commissioning landscape.

Many private organisations struggle to understand the NHS perspective or lack credibility with NHS colleagues—this is your competitive advantage.

Final Thoughts

Moving on from your current PCN role is perfectly acceptable. Your experience has equipped you with strategic thinking, operational management, and healthcare expertise that are highly valued across public and private systems.

• Identify where you can make the most impact whilst achieving your personal career goals.

• Invest in your professional development

• Don't limit yourself to NHS roles. The private sector offers excellent career progression, competitive salaries, and opportunities to influence healthcare delivery from different perspectives.

• Start networking, take initiative, and explore new opportunities in both sectors. Your next career move could be just one conversation away.

I hope this helps.

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About the Author

I'm Tara; I am the founder of THC Primary Care, an award-winning healthcare consultancy specialising in Primary Care Network Management and the host of the Business of Healthcare Podcast, where we have now published over 350 episodes. I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sectors, and I have supported over 300 PCNs by providing interim management, training and consultancy.

 I have managed teams across multiple sites and countries, have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, have been published in the London Journal of Primary Care, and am the author of over 250 blogs. 

 I have 3 children. My eldest has Asthma, my middle child has a kidney condition called Nephrotic Syndrome, and my youngest daughter has Type 1 Diabetes, so outside of work, healthcare plays a huge role in my life.