Main area Improvement; programmes; transformation Grade NHS AfC: Band 8c Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Until 31 March 2027) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 311-H903-26
Employer Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Trust Headquarters Town Ashton-under-Lyne Salary £76,965 - £88,682 PA, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 02/03/2026 23:59 Interview date 13/03/2026
Associate Director of Strategic Delivery and Improvement
NHS AfC: Band 8c
If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our #PennineCarePeople
The Associate Director of Strategic Delivery is a key leadership post within the organisation, supporting the delivery of the Trust’s big ambitions.
The post holder will, as part of the overarching Strategic Delivery Hub, work with the executive team and senior clinical and operational colleagues to ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the Trust’s strategic delivery programme, including transformation and improvement, in a way that maximises the engagement of individuals and clinical teams across the Trust as part of our ambition to ‘listen to improve’.
They will have responsibility for the overall leadership and management of the planning and programme management function, developing and delivering robust plans in support of our strategic delivery. They will provide project management expertise and delivery and provide strategic leadership to the team in the delivery and assurance of a complex change portfolio.
The post holder will take a lead role in the delivery of the Trust ambition of listen to improve. They will ensure the development, management, monitoring and implementation of planning, programme and improvement frameworks for the whole organisation to ensure that the strategy delivers the intended benefits.
Main duties of the job
Effectively lead a Trust-wide strategic delivery and improvement programme including the implementation of effective planning, programme/project management and a strong governance and oversight framework;
* Lead and develop the planning and programme management approach across the Trust, ensuring the implementation of robust processes and appropriate methodologies to deliver major change, ensuring implementation benefits are maximised and projects are delivered to time and within cost;
Provide strategic co-ordination and prioritisation of all identified projects, including managing a pipeline, ensuring that prioritisation decisions are in line with the overall aims and vision of the Trust;
Ensure effective monitoring, governance, and evaluation of all identified projects, providing assurance to senior leaders, through preparation and presentation of reports.
Ensure projects deliver clear and measurable benefits to service, patient/staff experience, performance and workforce experience and which contribute to delivery of the Trust’s strategic aims and big ambitions; service, patient/staff experience, performance and financial improvement;
Ensure the transformation programme takes a patient-centred approach and facilitates clinical and operational leadership;
To engage with the Board, Executive and senior leaders within the Trust and with commissioners and relevant external partners to build leadership for and commitment to a culture of continuous improvement.
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 #PennineCarePeopleand 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.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find more detail in the attached job description and person specification which describes the detail of each element of the role.
Person specification
* Master’s Degree-level education or equivalent experience through work-based learning
* Improvement-related qualification or evidence of participation in improvement skills and leadership development programmes
* Significant senior management experience in the NHS, social care or private sector
* Experience of establishing and delivering effective programme management office (PMO) functions/governance
* Experience of leading a planning process with organisational teams;
* Substantial experience of delivering improvement / transformation projects and programmes, using recognised improvement methodologies
* Proven programme and project management experience and experience of delivery in a complex environment.
* Strong track record on internal & external partnership working Inc. development of effective relationships that have delivered system change
* Highly developed and effective communication skills, able to meet the needs of a wide range of different stakeholders in both verbal and written formats
* Able to inspire, motivate and manage a team
🌍 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 government website.
📬 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 NHS Employment Check Standards. 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 HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. 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.
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 this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.
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