Overview

This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work, or you are already employed by the NHS and would transfer to the pay point at the top of Band 8c.

The Donor and Session Programme will deliver the digitally enabled transformation of how NHSBT engages with our Donors and revolutionise blood collection operations. As Head of Programme Delivery, you will join the programme leadership team to drive the realisation of this exciting vision. This is a flagship transformation programme for NHSBT which will be the biggest investment the organisation has seen in a decade.

This is a critical leadership role will be directly responsible for the delivery, supplier and programme management of the transformation of the business and operational model within the programme scope.

You will deputise for the DASP Programme Director and be responsible for delivering the scope of the program, delivering technology and business transformation, driving improvements and modernising our approach to software delivery. Planning, scoping, reporting and managing progress of the DASP programme, against the overall portfolio plan, within agreed time, cost and quality to agreed standards within risk limits and be responsible for the delivery of business benefits associated with it.

Note: This role provides a hybrid-working option. You will be assigned a base location which could be one of NHSBT main centres/blood centres, which will be confirmed after the final interview and mutually agreed upon with the line manager during the verbal offer stage.

Main Duties Of The Job

In this role you will be accountable for the effective and safe delivery of the digitally enabled transformation of NHSBT’s Donor Management and Collection capabilities including the coordination of all the business change, the design and implementation of the new Donor Platform, and the evolution of the Session Platform, which are the systems that will digitally enable the transformation. You will hold a critical leadership role in realising NHSBT’s blood technology strategy. You will be directly responsible for the successful delivery and programme management of the Donor and Session Programme (DASP) as well as managing the coordination of all new and BAU demand coming into the Donor product centre.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Planning, scoping, reporting and managing the delivery of the five year, £30M DASP programme against the overall NHSBT portfolio plan within agreed time, cost and quality to agreed standards and the realisation of the benefits associated with it.
• Providing leadership and direction for all the digital change in DASP, acting as a point of escalation, capable of making informed decisions and managing the effective resolution of all risks and issues.
• Providing confidence and assurance to senior stakeholders including senior executives and board members through regular status reporting, risk management and benefits realisation
• Maintaining the Programme and Product Centre Delivery Roadmaps, managing priorities and scope accordingly
• Line management, coaching and mentoring in a multi-disciplinary programme and product centre team, including Change Mangers, Business Delivery Leads, Business Change Managers , and Governance and Implementation Leads
• Build and manage relationships and contracts with thrid parties including contracted suppliers and service providers
• Providing leadership across the NHSBT digital community and share programme, design and delivery best practice.
• Deputising when required for the DASP Programme Director

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience leading and delivering complex technical change to national critical applications and infrastructure (NCI)
• Experience delivering large scale software modernisations / legacy transformations
• Extensive experience of management of strategic business programmes through the formal project life cycle from inception to completion, including benefits
• Proven Experience leading through change and building and managing sustainable, diverse enabled and engaged teams.
• Proven ability and experience of ensuring that business and technical solutions are strategically aligned and moved seamlessly into operation.
• Proven ability and experience of delivering large-scale products, from discovery to live or services within a complex, often changing, environment, using a range of recognised project management frameworks and methodologies.
• Knowledge and experience of managing project and programme budgets, contributing to financial budget setting and efficiency initiatives.
• Proven leadership and management experience, including remote line management of staff and external suppliers and contractors

Qualifications And Training

• Educated to a Degree Level
• Educated to post graduate level OR equivalent experience
• Educated to Master’s level OR equivalent experience to master’s level
• Recognised qualifications in agile and traditional demand or project management methodology e.g. Agile Project Management, PRINCE2, Planning or equivalent experience in agile project management and digital delivery

About Us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.

By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

What We Offer

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
• We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 28th September 2025

Stage process

It will be two stage process as outlined below

Stage 1 – Presentation: Shortlisted candidates submit a presentation (topic will be shared closer to the time) by 6 Oct 2025; results by 9 Oct 2025.

Stage 2 – Final Interview: Final shortlisted candidates attend the interview on 13th October 2025

The above dates are subject to confirmation, and you will receive communications closer to the time.