Job overview
Barts Health NHS Trust Manages one of the mots complex operational estates in the NHS, supporting some of the busiest hospitals in the country. We are committed to delivering safe, effective, high-quality environments that enable outstanding care across East London.
We are seeking a highly capable Improvement Manager (Band 7) to join our new centralised Business Support Team at a pivotal stage in our development. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving transformation projects, embedding consistent administrative standards and strengthening the digital and reporting capability that underpins Soft FM services.
Administrative processes are currently fragmented across sites, with inconsistent systems and limited digital optimisation. You will lead change across business support and project functions, working closely with Group Soft FM leaders, site teams and Trust-wide transformation partners to standardise processes, improve reporting and enhance governance.
You will bring strong experience in project delivery, service improvements or business support leadership, with confidence using platforms such as SharePoint, Power BI and operational systems. You will build trusted relationships across clinical, operational and corporate teams, ensuring managers are supported by reliable data and efficient processes.
This is a demanding but rewarding opportunity to shape sustainable improvement, drive consistency, and ensure Soft FM fully supports patient care through robust, modern and high performing business systems.
Main duties of the job
These services are fundamental to the smooth running of Soft FM operations and to the safety, experience, and wellbeing of our patients, staff and visitors — and must be delivered in line with statutory requirements, national NHS guidance, and Trust standards. But this is also a role rooted in transformation. Administrative support is currently fragmented and inconsistent, with different approaches across sites and limited use of digital tools. You will play a central role in shaping and leading change across our business support and project functions, working closely with the Group Soft FM team, hospital leadership teams, and Trustwide transformation partners.
This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. You’ll bring a strong track record in project management, business support, or transformation, with the ability to deliver improvements in processes, reporting, and systems. You’ll be comfortable working with digital platforms such as SharePoint, Power BI, and Synbiotix, and capable of building strong relationships across professional, clinical, and corporate teams. Most importantly, you’ll see this as more than just an administrative role — it’s about enabling managers to focus on service delivery and ensuring Soft FM plays its full part in supporting patient care.This will be a challenging role and there will be obstacles for you to professionally navigate. You’ll be stepping into an environment that demands clarity, tenacity, and the ability to drive consistency across diverse teams. You’ll be an agent of change, leading colleagues through transitions while maintaining a relentless focus on quality, standards, and the needs of patients and staff. To succeed, you’ll need the personal strength, emotional intelligence and resilience to bring people with you — even when the path ahead is tough
Working for our organisation
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Experience of analysis, investigation and resolution of process problems
2. At least 1 year experience in a large NHS or similar organisation working on projects that involved operational staff and organisational change
3. Evidence of working sensitively but effectively with professional staff in a diverse environment.
4. Team working experience.
5. Experience working with business information, reporting and processes.
6. Experience of training users on systems and processes, and ability to explain technical information in accessible language.
7. Proficiency in ICT facilities and tools, including: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, MS Project, Visio or other process mapping tools, and structured filing systems.
Desirable criteria
8. Experience of managing small transformation projects.
9. Experience of Soft FM systems (e.g. Synbiotix).
10. Experience of working on complex operational change projects.
11. Experience in highquality presentations.
12. Experience of benefits realisation processes.
Skills
Essential criteria
13. Ability to analyse complex data, diagnose problems and identify solutions
14. Ability to capture, document and analyse requirements.
15. Process review skills to support service development and improvement.
16. Ability to work across organisational boundaries, develop contacts, and obtain ownership and commitment from stakeholders.
17. Ability to command the confidence of managers and staff in a high-pressure environment, and maintain good working relationships.
18. Ability to lead engagement and adoption activities for new processes and systems
19. Able to support design, testing and training of processes in relation to business support and Soft FM systems.
20. Strong organisational and planning skills.
21. Ability to prioritise and work independently with minimal supervision.
22. Ability to work under pressure
23. Excellent customer relationship skills.
24. Ability to develop effective local networks.
25. Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to explain technical issues clearly and concisely.
26. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including tact and persuasion.
27. Ability to assess and evaluate risks and issues.
Desirable criteria
28. Ability to use formal change management tools (including process mapping).
29. Ability to produce detailed project documentation (plans, highlight reports, etc).
30. Ability to lead multidisciplinary groups and facilitate change
Knowledge
Essential criteria
31. Knowledge of IT applications and processes used in the NHS.
32. Knowledge of business analysis and process mapping techniques.
33. Knowledge of project and change management methodology.
34. Proficiency in ICT facilities and tools, including MS Office, SharePoint, MS Project, Visio, and structured filing systems.
Desirable criteria
35. Knowledge of Soft FM systems such as Synbiotix.
36. Knowledge of benefits realisation processes.
37. Knowledge of project planning and contribution to strategy development
Qualifications
Essential criteria
38. Degree or equivalent professional/vocational qualification (Business, Project or Change Management) or equivalent knowledge and experience.
Desirable criteria
39. Project Management or Change Management qualifications (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, Agile, APMG).
Other
Essential criteria
40. Willingness to work flexibly to meet project demands
41. Willing to take on responsibilities and challenges
42. Strong team player
43. Excellent organisational skills.
44. Resilience and drive.
45. Integrity and confidence
46. Proactive, resourceful and self-starting
47. Ability to work under pressure.
48. Approachable and collaborative.
49. Flexibility and adaptability.
50. Commitment to continuous development and willingness to learn.
**Visa Sponsorship Information**
Recent changes to UK immigration policy on the Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker Visa could mean that this role is not eligible for sponsorship or that you may not meet the eligibility criteria.
Sponsorship can only be offered if this post and any individual offered employment meet all the Home Office’s requirements under the UK Skilled Worker visa scheme.
If you are applying from outside the UK or will require sponsorship, please mention this clearly in your application.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the following conditions must be met:
51. Eligible role: The position must be on the UK Skilled Worker visa list. You can check your eligibility here: -.
52. Salary threshold: The role must meet the minimum salary set by the Home Office. Please note that for roles employed under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions, the High-Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) is not included when calculating the basic salary for the purposes of sponsorship.
53. Skill level: The role must meet the minimum skill requirement of RQF Level 6 or above (graduate level).
54. English language: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or higher.
55. Other criteria: Applicants must meet all other criteria as set out by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)