Overview

Job title: Programme Manager

Base: Health Innovation KSSs primary place of business is The Beehive, located in Gatwick/Crawley, West Sussex.

Hours: 1.0 WTE / Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week

Salary: £54,000 - £57,000

Location: Health Innovation KSS work on a hybrid basis. Post holders are expected to be based in, or be able to attend meetings in the Kent, Surrey, Sussex geography.

Reports to: Associate Director – Patient Safety

Direct reports: Project delivery resource and access to a pool of team members if required.

Role purpose

Lead a portfolio of programme areas as part of the programme and project resource team within Health Innovation. The specific area of responsibility will be outlined at Appendix A and may change to meet future programme delivery requirements. The role may involve management of a programme with input from Senior Programme/Innovation Managers or an Associate Director. Lead the organisation and delivery of collaborative learning events with Clinical Leads. Support innovation-focused colleagues in delivering tailored packages of support to industry and in conversations with organisations to spread and adopt innovation into practice, developing the innovation ecosystem and pipeline. Contribute to income generation to support long-term sustainability by supporting bids, grant applications, and contracts with industry, and delivering tailored packages of support in line with contracts.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Work closely with Associate Directors, Senior Programme Managers and Clinical Leads to manage and deliver an assigned portfolio of local and national programmes.
• Build relationships with teams in participating organisations, developing expertise, trust and commitment to project goals.
• Create links between clinical teams, industry and academia to support project goals.
• Horizon scan for examples of innovation to spread and adopt.
• Contribute to income generation through projects and programmes to ensure sustainability.
• Support organisations to adopt NICE Technology Appraisals relevant to project areas.
• Identify and manage risks to delivery and budget; escalate as needed.
• Lead and facilitate meetings with clinicians across health, social care, independent and voluntary sectors.
• Identify developmental needs across teams and share best practices and solutions.
• Participate in data quality assurance and provide external partner analysis to support programmes.
• Support providers in developing metrics and impact measures.
• Prepare reports, briefings and presentations; present at meetings and conferences.
• Interpret national policy related to service and productivity improvement and implement accordingly.
• Represent Health Innovation KSS in meetings with NHSI/NHSE and other national bodies as appropriate.
• Collaborate with commissioners to support Health Innovation KSS objectives.

General responsibilities

• Act as part of a unified team and promote the organisation’s values.
• Ensure effective communications within and between project teams; participate in meetings and events.
• Engage with line manager in regular performance and development reviews; identify personal development needs and maintain a development plan.

Programme Manager: Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
• Project or portfolio management qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable:

• Appropriate professional qualification or Master’s degree

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Significant recent management experience in the NHS or a relevant sector
• Proven experience of managing large-scale projects or programmes in the public sector
• Experience of working with clinicians and multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of health and social care sectors

Desirable:

• Experience reviewing national policy; advising senior managers and consultants

Skills & Abilities

Essential:

• Strategic and analytical thinking; ability to develop strong working relationships
• Ability to analyse and synthesise complex information
• Contribute to income generation through innovation programmes
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills
• Advanced IT skills (e.g., Excel, Access)
• Drive, energy, enthusiasm, determination; creative and lateral thinking
• Facilitation skills to direct and support teams to achieve measurable outcomes

Desirable:

• Bid writing skills

Personal Style & Behaviours

• Takes a visible lead
• Flexible and adaptable
• Helps others develop themselves; promotes diversity and equality
• Integrity; professional appearance; challenges current practice constructively

Other requirements

• Reliable work record; travel within the KSS patch as required
• Driving licence (desirable)

Appendix A — ABC Programme role (specific responsibilities)

Specific responsibilities relate to the Avoiding Brain Injuries in Childbirth (ABC) Programme within the Patient Safety Improvement Programme. Responsibilities may change with programme delivery requirements. Background: Kent Surrey Sussex PSC supports NHS Improvement Programmes; the ABC Programme focuses on improving safety in maternity care, including detection and response to fetal deterioration and management of impacted fetal head at caesarean birth.

Key focus areas include the implementation of a Track and Trigger tool, training materials, and improving multiprofessional team responses. The role involves working with a clinical faculty and reporting to the PDOG monthly; responsibilities include program implementation across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, collaboration with national and regional leads, and contributing to programme outcomes, communications, and improvement activities.

Location and engagement

• Cover the whole Kent, Surrey and Sussex geography
• Support local clinical systems to spread and adopt commissioned improvement programmes

Application information

To apply, follow the official application process; applications are anonymised until shortlisting. Closing date: 12:00 pm on 9 September 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a remote interview via Teams (date to be confirmed). No agencies.