Group Head of Digital Programme Management Office
Closing date: 09 March 2026
As we move into the next phase in the grouping of University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) and University Hospitals of Leicestershire (UHL) there is a requirement for a Group Head of Digital Programme Management Office.
The role of the Group Head of Digital Programme Management Office will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of a comprehensive Digital Transformation Portfolio across University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group.
The post holder is responsible for introducing and embedding an industry recognised project, programme methodology and culture across the group. The establishment of a Digital PMO function across the Group, and professional leadership of the departments project and programme management function.
Main duties of the job
The Group Head of Digital Programme Management Office is a key driver of strategic excellence for the Digital function and will make decisions regarding budget, resources and project/programme scopes. A key output of the role will be to ensure the "show back" cost of Digital projects and programmes is understood and coordinated to the wider organisation. These will inform decision making in respect to portfolio priorities, as well as analysis of the total cost of ownership for the proposed solutions.
The post holder will draw upon a range of standardised methodologies to devise and maintain the Portfolio Plan with professional rigour, including agile and more traditional P3O, PRINCE2 and Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).
The Group Head of Digital Programme Management Office will be responsible for coordinating with enterprise architects to ensure that the contract roadmap is understood, so that the planning and appropriate business case development takes place well in advance of the renewal and expiry dates.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
* high-quality care for all,
* being a great place to work,
* partnerships for impact,
* research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
* we are compassionate,
* we are proud,
* we are inclusive,
* we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
Job responsibilities
Work with all Digital Senior Leaders to build credible programme delivery plans in line with the Digital Strategy and Group priorities.
Work closely with key stakeholders to develop coherent plans for delivery across the Group, maximising collaborative ways of working and standardising tools to support tracking progress and upward reporting.
Work collaboratively with multi-professional clinical and non-clinical teams across all sites within the Group, partners across the IC, regional and national NHSE professionals.
Establish positive partnerships with organisations that can further our aims from within and outside the NHS.
Communicate and collaborate in a way that engages people to digitally transform in line with our Group values.
Build effective relationships to ensure the broader implications of business change and impacts are understood.
Leading in the coordination of Digital relationships with clinical and operational teams.
Ensuring communications are carried out in a language that is understood by non-IT/technical colleagues and information is reported to a high-quality standard.
As the lead for contract management the post holder will have the responsibility to develop and maintain a robust customer relationship. Management (CRM) solution to ensure continuity and high quality of communications with key suppliers, key stakeholder and executive level management.
Person Specification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
* Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Training & Qualifications
* Qualified to PHD level or equivalent experience
* Evidence of sustained personal and professional development
* Finance related qualification
* Project Management qualification to practitioner level, e.g., Prince2, P3O, Managing Successful Programmes or equivalent
Experience
* Significant experience in large and complex organisations
* Worked as a PMO Manager
* Programme and/or Project Management experience including the development of project management frameworks, monitoring, and review processes
* Delivering objectives to timescales and finding innovative solutions to complex problems
* Has led digital functions in health
* Demonstrable ability to devise policy and strategy.
* Subject matter expertise in project and programme management including monitoring and tracking of time/quality/cost & benefits
* Experience of the full project lifecycle within a health care environment
* Good understanding of the NHS and the national technology strategies and involvement in the production of local (organisation) or sector wide strategies
* Demonstrable success in delivering change and performance with and through your management
* Experience of the negotiation and management of high value hardware, software, and service contracts with major suppliers
* Strong experience of staff and financial management
* Interpreting and providing context to data and present information in reports
* Engaging stakeholders to agree and manage digital and data requirements
* Developing and maintaining contact networks within the local and National Health Economy
* Establishing new systems and processes
* Providing assurance on status of plans and actual results
* Using data and other benchmarking tools to inform decision making
* Experience of managing budgets and cost optimisation programmes
* Understanding of the importance of governance and the issues involved
* Experience of public sector procurement regulations and management of complex contracts
* Good understanding of quality improvement methodologies
* Familiar with outsourced Digital arrangements and contractual & procurement regulations
* Proficient with waterfall and agile project delivery methodologies
Communication and relationship skills
* Excellent communication skills demonstrable at a senior level, strong interpersonal and negotiating skills, with the ability to engage, build and sustain relationships
* Able to communicate ideas, motivate and generate action through others
* Experience of building successful alliances with healthcare partners, IC, the independent sector and public representative groups
* Proven high level of communication skills using a range of methods including written, verbal and presentations
* Well-practised ability to question, challenge and influence assumptions across professional and organisational boundaries
* Motivational skills to encourage collaborative working where there may be resistance to change
* Ability to influence across teams, departments and organisations
* Able to prepare clear, concise and version-controlled reports, briefings and documents
* Understanding of the political climate of the enterprise, and how to respond to political challenges appropriately and in a manner that protects the Trust's Strategy and agenda
Analytical and Judgement skills
* Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills
* Able to understand and work within complexity and translate it into understandable knowledge
* Excellent inter-personal and communications skills, with a track record in writing complex business cases and policies
* High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility in approach and attitude
* Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty and integrity in undertaking the role
* Ability to understand the long- term ("big picture") and short- term perspectives of situations
Physical Skills
* Committed to the continuous development of staff and self
* Ability to work in an environment where the work pattern is unpredictable, utilising initiative and determination to resolve arising matters
* Demonstrates resilience, confidence, and self-belief
Planning and organisation skills
* Ability to deliver multiple projects to agreed quality standards and timescales
* Effective prioritisation and ability to manage multiple complex projects at the same time
* Ability to work under pressure and within set timescales
* Skilled in the development of systems and processes and monitoring compliance
* Able to prioritise and work within imposed deadlines, both individually and within the team
* Able to plan in a coherent and understandable fashion
* Able to lead and organise a multi-disciplinary team in complex activities
* Experience of delivering a highly complex work programme against multiple challenging deadlines
* Able to efficiently change and adjust plans, responding to changing priorities and strategic need
* Ability to make difficult decisions that support strategic aims and long-term vision
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
* All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
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.
Address
Room G60 Digital Offices County Hall Leicester
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