Job overview
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY SWANSEA BAY HEALTH BOARD
THIS POST IS SECONDMENT FOR 6 MONTHS DUE TO REQUIREMENT TO SET UP DELIVERY UNIT.
The Head of Programme Management Office (PMO) will play a pivotal role in establishing and leading the PMO function within the Health Board’s newly formed Delivery Unit.
The Delivery Unit is being developed as the organisation’s central engine room for delivery and improvement, bringing together transformation, programme management, performance, business intelligence and improvement capabilities to provide a more coordinated, consistent and impactful approach to delivering strategic priorities, and in delivering organisational sustainability.
Within this context, the postholder will lead the design and implementation of a high-performing PMO function, providing robust governance, coordination and strategic oversight across a portfolio of complex programmes. The role will strengthen organisational grip on delivery, enable evidence-based decision-making, and ensure programmes deliver measurable benefits aligned to quality, access and financial sustainability outcomes.
Operating at a senior level, the postholder will work across clinical, operational and corporate teams to unify ways of working, embed consistent standards and support delivery at pace in a complex environment.
Main duties of the job
1. Lead the design, implementation and continuous development of the PMO function as a core component of the Delivery Unit
2. Provide strategic oversight of a complex programme portfolio, ensuring alignment to organisational and national priorities
3. Establish and embed robust governance, reporting, risk management and benefits realisation frameworks
4. Drive improvement in programme delivery, ensuring clear milestones, dependencies and outcomes
5. Provide expert advice, insight and constructive challenge to senior leaders and programme teams
6. Ensure integration across clinical, operational, financial, workforce and digital plans
7. Develop high-quality board-level reporting, business cases and strategic analysis
8. Build organisational capability in programme and project management disciplines
9. Lead, manage and develop PMO staff, fostering a high-performance, accountable culture
10. Maintain oversight of programme performance, ensuring timely intervention and escalation of risks and issues
Working for our organisation
We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.
You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.
There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.
Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.
If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Educated to Master’s level or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline such as management, business administration, organisational development, or a related field. Plus, Postgraduate qualification or equivalent specialist experience in programme/project management (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2, Agile, APM).
12. In‑depth knowledge of programme and project management methodologies, governance frameworks, and benefits realisation. Strong understanding of organisational change, transformation principles, and whole‑system working within health or complex public‑sector environments.
Desirable criteria
13. Proven experience of leading PMO functions or major programmes within a large, complex organisation. Demonstrable track record of designing, delivering, and embedding programme and project management frameworks.
14. In‑depth knowledge of programme and project management methodologies, governance frameworks, and benefits realisation. Strong understanding of organisational change, transformation principles, and whole‑system working within health or complex public‑sector environments.
Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable