Senior Programme Manager - Clinical Services Transformation, Band 8b
Closing Date: 16 June 2026
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Senior Programme Manager (Band 8b) at a pivotal stage in our transformation journey. As we deliver our new five‑year strategy, you will play a critical role in leading a bold and ambitious, clinically focused transformation portfolio aligned to our vision of delivering the best care every day for everyone, shaped by the voices of our staff, patients and communities.
With a strong focus on clinical service transformation, you will lead programmes that improve patient pathways and operational performance across areas such as outpatients, length of stay, flow and service redesign, alongside digital enablement and estates modernisation.
You will join our newly developing Project Management Office (PMO), at an exciting point as we formalise and strengthen programme delivery across the Trust. This is a unique opportunity to shape PMO standards, governance and ways of working, embedding a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Working closely with executive leaders, clinicians and system partners, you will translate strategy into measurable outcomes, delivering sustainable change that improves patient outcomes, staff experience and organisational performance.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Programme Manager, you will lead the delivery of complex, high‑impact transformation programmes with a strong focus on clinical services. You will work alongside a team of programme and project managers delivering a diverse portfolio spanning clinical service transformation and research, corporate and non‑clinical change, innovation and estates, with a particular emphasis on improving patient pathways such as outpatients, flow and length of stay.
You will be accountable for programme planning, governance, risk and dependency management, and benefits realisation, ensuring delivery remains aligned to strategic priorities and that change is embedded and sustainable. You will drive performance across multiple workstreams, maintaining pace, managing complexity and ensuring measurable improvements in outcomes, experience and use of resources.
Working within a clinically led, divisional owned and executive‑sponsored model, you will build strong partnerships with clinicians, operational leaders and system partners to deliver large‑scale change.
We are seeking an experienced programme leader with a proven track record in clinical service transformation, strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, and the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders. You will be adaptable, resilient and passionate about delivering impactful change in a complex healthcare environment.
About us
You will join a forward‑thinking and ambitious transformation function delivering a diverse and high‑impact portfolio of programmes, including Clinical Service Transformation and Research, Corporate and Non‑clinical Service Transformation, Innovation and Commercial, and Estates Transformation. These programmes span key areas such as outpatients, length of stay, digital enablement and estates modernisation, all contributing to improved patient outcomes, better staff experience and more effective use of resources.
Our transformation function is clinically led, divisional owned and executive sponsored, bringing together expertise from across the organisation to deliver sustainable, organisation‑wide change. Supported by strong governance and a clear delivery framework, we are focused not only on delivering transformation but embedding it as part of a culture of continuous improvement.
Our team culture is collaborative and inclusive. We are building an organisation that thinks differently about transformation—one that prioritises innovation, leverages digital and data, and invests in capability at every level. Working alongside passionate colleagues, clinical leaders and partners across the wider system, you will contribute directly to meaningful change.
This is more than a project delivery role—it is an opportunity to be part of a supportive, innovative team where your work will help transform services and improve care for the communities we serve.
Job responsibilities
* Lead the strategic planning and delivery of complex, large‑scale transformation programmes, ensuring alignment with Trust objectives and national priorities.
* Develop and maintain comprehensive programme documentation, including programme initiation documentation (PID), delivery plans and benefits realisation frameworks.
* Establish and oversee robust programme governance arrangements, ensuring effective management of risks, issues, dependencies and interdependencies across multiple workstreams.
* Provide assurance to senior leadership, including Programme Boards and Executive sponsors, through high‑quality reporting, analysis and recommendations to support informed decision‑making.
* Be accountable for the identification, tracking and realisation of benefits, ensuring that outcomes are measurable, sustainable and embedded into business‑as‑usual practice.
* Lead, motivate and coordinate multi‑disciplinary programme and project teams, promoting a culture of high performance, collaboration and continuous improvement.
* Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including clinicians, operational leaders, corporate services and external partners, using influencing and negotiation skills to drive delivery.
* Act as a subject matter expert in programme and change management, providing specialist advice, guidance and challenge to ensure best practice is applied.
* Support the development and maturity of the Project Management Office (PMO), embedding standardised methodologies, governance processes, tools and reporting frameworks.
* Ensure effective communication and engagement strategies are in place to support the successful implementation and adoption of change across the organisation.
* Monitor programme performance against key milestones, financial profiles and resource plans, taking corrective action where required to maintain delivery.
Person Specification
Shortlisting Criteria
* Masters or equivalent experience
* Formal Programme and/or Project management training (such as MSP, APM Charted Professional) and/or equivalent experience
* Evidence of continued professional development including leadership training
* Extensive experience in leading large complex change projects (ideally within the public sector or healthcare)
* Knowledge of portfolio, programme and project methodologies such as Managing Successful Programmes (particularly applied in the public sector) including tools that can support project delivery
* Ability to translate strategic direction into achievable objectives and plans—understanding how this impacts on service delivery to improve patient care
* Highly developed communication and influencing skills, including presenting to boards (including Executives, Non‑Executives and Clinical Leads), and writing/presenting high‑quality reports
* Strong leadership skills, including motivating and managing diverse teams in a matrix environment (including outside of line management) to be high performing
* Successful leadership of service improvement or transformation initiatives
* Experience in risk management, governance, and assurance processes within complex programmes
* Training or qualifications in Quality Improvement
* Knowledge of financial processes (ideally in NHS) including budget setting and the role of programme and project delivery within this
* Ability to demonstrate energy, enthusiasm and confidence in all areas of work
* Experience in policy development and implementation for a major area of activity—ensuring compliance with corporate policies
* Ability to formulate long‑term strategic plans involving uncertainty that impact on an organisation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Salary
£66,582 to £77,368 a year (pa, pro rata if part‑time)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
2 years
Working pattern
Full‑time
Reference number
318‑26‑T0378
Job locations
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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