Job summary
- Main area
- Administrative Service
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 220-WHT-4084
- Employer
- Whittington Health NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Whittington Health NHS Trust
- Town
- Magdala Avenue, London
- Salary
- £88,250 - £100,355 per annum inclusive of HCAs
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Head of Programme – Start Well
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Please note in order to progress your application, your data will be processed by our 3rd party recruitment providers – North London Partners Shared Service, who conduct recruitment activities on behalf of Whittington Health NHS Trust.
For our current apprenticeship vacancies, please go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship and use Keyword ‘Whittington’
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Job overview
We are seeking a highly motivated Head of Programmes to contribute to the delivery of this major, high-profile programme. Reporting to the Programme Director, the postholder will be responsible for managing defined projects and workstreams, ensuring that activity is well-coordinated, delivered on time and achieves agreed outcomes.
The role involves close working with clinicians, operational teams, system partners and other stakeholders, operating in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Reporting to the Programme Director, you will provide senior leadership across a complex portfolio of workstreams, ensuring delivery of programme objectives in a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
· Lead delivery of the programme, ensuring milestones and outcomes are achieved
· Oversee multiple interdependent workstreams across organisations
· Maintain the overarching programme plan, including dependencies and critical path
· Ensure robust governance, reporting and assurance processes
· Manage programme-level risks, issues and dependencies (RAID)
· Provide leadership and direction to programme teams
· Deputise for the Programme Director at senior forums
· Build strong relationships across Trusts, ICBs and system partners
· Facilitate workshops and meetings with clinical and operational teams.
· Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with governance processes
Working for our organisation
What we offer
- Opportunity to lead a major system transformation programme
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible working where possible
Our commitment
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Head of Programme will provide senior operational and programme leadership for the Start Well Programme, ensuring the successful delivery of a complex, multi-organisational maternity and neonatal reconfiguration programme across North Central London.
The postholder will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of multiple workstreams, ensuring programme objectives, milestones and benefits are achieved within agreed timescales. They will oversee programme governance, risk management, reporting, stakeholder engagement and assurance processes, while providing leadership and direction to the programme team.
Working closely with clinical, operational and system partners, the postholder will build collaborative relationships, facilitate decision-making and support the implementation of new models of care and service redesign. They will analyse complex information, provide expert advice, and present programme updates to senior leaders, programme boards and external stakeholders.
The role also includes supporting the Programme Director with financial management, resource planning, procurement and performance monitoring, ensuring the programme is delivered safely, effectively and in line with agreed governance, quality and information governance standards.
Person specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience working at a senior level in programme management, transformation or a relevant specialist area
- Postgraduate or professional qualification in programme/project management (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2) or equivalent experience managing complex programmes
- Evidence of ongoing professional development and application of programme management methodologies
- In-depth knowledge of the NHS, ICS structures, national policy and service transformation agendas
Desirable criteria
- Good knowledge of large-scale service reconfiguration and delivery within complex health systems
Work Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience of leading and delivering complex programmes across organisational boundaries in a matrix environment
- Experience of supporting programme governance, assurance processes and reporting to executive and board-level forums
- Significant experience of managing programme-level risks, issues and dependencies (RAID) across multiple workstreams
- Experience of preparing high-quality briefing papers, reports and presentations for senior stakeholders
- Experience of delivering service redesign and transformation within a healthcare or comparable setting
- Demonstrable experience of line management, including developing and supporting high-performing teams
Desirable criteria
- Experience of monitoring programme budgets and supporting delivery of value for money
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Ability to analyse, interpret and synthesise complex information to inform decision-making and programme delivery
- Strong planning and organisational skills across short, medium and long-term timeframes, with the ability to respond to changing priorities
- Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to present complex and sensitive information and negotiate effectively with stakeholders
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills, including the ability to manage conflict in complex environments
- Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and exercise judgement in complex situations
- Proficient in the use of programme management tools and Microsoft Office applications
- Knowledge of programme governance frameworks, assurance processes and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into delivery
Values & Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Values & Behaviours
- Demonstrates organisational values (ICARE), including collaborative, inclusive and compassionate working
- Demonstrates effective leadership across organisational boundaries, building credibility and trust
- Demonstrates resilience, adaptability and the ability to manage uncertainty and change
- Demonstrates the ability to support and develop others within a team environment
- Demonstrates political awareness and sensitivity in complex and high-profile environments
Effort Factors
Essential criteria
- Ability to sustain concentration over prolonged periods, managing competing priorities and deadlines
- Ability to manage challenging situations, including resistance to change and communication of sensitive information
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
- Commitment to own professional development and supporting development of others
- Ability to travel across NCL sites and partner organisations as required
- Ability to work flexibly across organisational boundaries in a complex system environment
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Mansuralli
- Job title
- Programme Director – Start Well
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 020 7272 3070
- Additional information
No additional contact information
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