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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

Whittington Health NHS Trust logo

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’

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role.

We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit  https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

Whittington Health NHS Trust is committed to fair and transparent recruitment and requires applicants to provide accurate information, as misleading details may affect their application or employment and may be verified in line with the Fraud Act 2006. For further information please visit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.


 

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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident leaderInvestors in PeopleImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerDisability confident committed

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

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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