Job overview
Applications are invited for a full-time experienced Programme Manager with an understanding of improvement methodology within a healthcare setting to join our transformation team. The Programme Manager will provide a lead role within the Trust Crisis Transformation Programme and commercial activities at a locality level, Trust-level and within Greater Manchester.
As this role involves significant time supporting staff within our services, it is particularly suited for individuals with strong interpersonal skills. ideal for someone with substantial prior experience in managing complex projects that bring about changes across NHS services and teams, especially in mental health services.
Main duties of the job
The role will require working at a senior level through a complex range of transformation and service development activity within the transformation and change programme to identify and project plan delivery of service development and improvement schemes.
The role will require engagement with services, commissioners, partners and wider stakeholders. This role will provide specific input in terms of programme management and managing stakeholder relationships for a range of transformational work streams, at a locality level, Trust level and within Greater Manchester.
The individual should be able to provide and receive highly complex information and develop clear and concise reports, communicate, lead and influence at all levels, have strong planning and coordination skills, and be able to grasp critical issues and inform clear management priorities.
The individual should be able to proficiently navigate challenging discussions and support teams in mitigating risks and issues.
The full job description provides an overview of the key responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachments.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See attached Job Description and Personal Specification for a complete breakdown of the roles responsibilities.
Person specification
Work related circumstances
Essential criteria
* Able to work flexibly based on the requirements of the job.
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the GM footprint in line with programme needs
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of leading and managing complex projects within scope and budget and to time
* Experience of using project documentation and developing project plans
* Experience of producing detailed reports and documents
* Proven experience in managing challenging situations including in a group setting
* Working in effective partnership with service users, carers, senior leaders, clinicians and other stakeholders
* Involvement in service redesign and quality improvement projects
* Experience of developing benefits and measures with proven delivery of benefits following project closure
* Experience of writing or supporting the development of business cases
* Knowledge of project and change management methodologies
* Knowledge of change leadership skills
* Knowledge of the wider system
* Knowledge of improvement methodologies, tools and techniques
Desirable criteria
* Experience within mental health, learning disability or autism services
* Experience of involvement in NHS financial processes e.g. contracting, procurement, efficiency planning
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Knowledge of project and change management methodologies
* Knowledge of change leadership skills
* Knowledge of the wider system
* Knowledge of improvement methodologies, tools and techniques
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Highly effective communication and negotiation skills with a range of stakeholders where opposition and conflict are commonplace
* Able to lead a programme independently, solving problems and making decisions as appropriate
* Able to persuade others of own point of view and defend own position with logical and unemotional arguments
* Ability to establish strong working relationships
* Critical appraisal skills and highlevel analytic skills with ability to review and develop a range of options for action
* Able to prepare and present briefing papers and reports to tight deadlines to senior leaders/executives
* Able to manage and handle sensitive information and difficult messages in an effective and empathic way
* Able to effectively make use of ICT equipment for the purposes listed above
* High-level facilitation skills and ability to work with a large group of mixed stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation
* Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations
* Resilient and tenacious with a propensity to persevere
* Able to produce effective presentations, present confidently and in a suitable format depending on the audience including to executives/the board
* Well-developed IT skills (e.g. Microsoft office package, email systems, Teams, visio)
* Ability to balance competing demands and work to tight timescales understanding the interdependencies between programmes and impact on strategic delivery
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Degree or equivalent
* Masters level qualification, or working towards, or experience equivalent to Masters level
* Specialist knowledge or qualification in project management and/or change management methodologies to post graduate level
* Evidence of continued professional development e.g. leadership/management development
Desirable criteria
* Improvement qualification or equivalent experience in applying improvement methodologies and tools/techniques
* Benefits Management qualification (eg APMG managing benefits) or equivalent
📝 Application support - We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.