Job vacancy: Senior Improvement Lead, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester

Job summary

Main area: QI Team
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 8B
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 358-8204390-COR

Employer: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Glenfield Hospital
Town: Leicester
Salary: £66,582 - £77,368 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 24/09/2026 23:59

Senior Improvement Lead

NHS AfC: Band 8B

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might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
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could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working within Digital transformation and Improvement teams.
Identifying and delivering quality and efficiency improvements across the Trust.
Supporting and leading enabling work streams (including theatres, procurement and outpatients).
Measuring and tracking the impact of any agreed change in relation to both quality and financial benefits.
Delivering their projects and programmes using the agreed improvement tools and techniques and being viewed as our ‘Improvement Coaches’ by colleagues and the wider Trust.
Effectively cascading improvement skill and tool through the teams and work streams they work with (e.g. through a train the trainer approach). Over time these roles will be responsible for developing a pool of skilled ‘Advanced Improvers’, or ‘Improvement Champions’.
Leading by example; with a positive mindset, the behaviours and habits of an improver through engagement and influential leadership.
Create a culture of continuous improvement across the Trust’s pathways and processes.

Please see job description/person specification for further details on the role

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

Highly developed Improvement specialist knowledge underpinned by broad & deep theory & experience at a senior level working in a complex NHS (or appropriate other complex project) environment..
Master’s Degree level qualification or equivalent experience gained in a health related and/or large complex organisation.
Formal quality improvement training qualification of a L5 Lean 6Sigma Black Belt or above (or equivalent).
Excellent knowledge and practical experience of using Improvement tools and techniques through leading improvement projects with beneficial outcomes.
Evidence of effective people management and leadership skills.
Track record of leading and managing complex change programmes in a large Trust (or appropriate other complex environment).

Desirable criteria

Experience of quality improvement within a healthcare or manufacturing setting
Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE 2, Managing Successful Projects or equivalent).
Formal training on digital applications such as Power Automate, Power Apps, SQL.
Formal data management and analytical training

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of designing and delivering training in the principles, methods, techniques and tools for effective Improvement.
Experience of managing and leading a wide range of stakeholders through complex change
Knowledge of formal risk management methodologies
Knowledge of research, audit, data collection and analysis methodologies
Experience of leading stakeholders through complex option appraisals processes and business case development cycles.
Communicate effectively, both verbally and presentation skills in lecture theatre environment, or one to one briefings.
Ability to manage competing demands, deadlines and a pressured environment with humility and good grace.
Designing and resourcing modules of education and training, communicating effectively verbally, including presentation skills in lecture theatre environment, or one to one briefings.
Ability to manage competing demands, deadlines and a pressured environment with humility and good grace.
Experience of leading a team and taking responsibility for team and leadership operational management and development.

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and understanding of current NHS structures and health and social care delivery systems
Clinical professional qualification or Operational Management qualification or equivalent knowledge gained in a health related organization.
Evidence of Achieving Transformation which has resulted in positive change in a health and/or social care setting.
Evidence of Achieving Transformation which has resulted in positive change in a health and/or social care setting.
Experience of using NHS or Lean change management knowledge, tools, models and theory
Experience of co- design and co- production with patient involvement and leadership

Communication & Relationship Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues with stakeholders and others in order to agree ‘win – win’ solutions to competing issues
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, including presentation skills in lecture theatre environment, or one to one briefings
Ability to communicate effectively in writing, including formal report writing
Ability to present to large groups including the public as necessary.
Has the ability to manage conflicting views and reconcile professional differences of opinion.
Ability to present complex and sensitive information to groups of staff from multidisciplinary backgrounds at all levels of the organisation.

Analytical & Judgement Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to present complex and sensitive information to groups of staff from multidisciplinary backgrounds at all levels of the organisation.
Has the ability to manage conflicting views and reconcile professional differences of opinion.

Desirable criteria

Highly literate using data analytics and statistical modelling. Experience of using applications such as Minitab, SPSS.

Planning & Organisational Skills

Essential criteria

Demonstrate the ability to plan over short, medium and long term, and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
Demonstrable experience of methods and techniques for reporting of progress against plan; and of being process driven and organised, in order to achieve milestones
Demonstrable experience of managing a diverse workload on own initiative and with your home team.
A flexible approach to work, comfortable with being agile and working at time remotely without supervision
Must have skill set that supports remote working, using tools for communication, collaboration, planning and project management.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential criteria

Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.