Job summary
- Main area
- Quality
- Grade
- Band 8D
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Happy to discuss flexible working)
- Job ref
- 437-7836346
- Employer
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Knowsley Building
- Town
- Prestwich
- Salary
- £91,342 - £105,337 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 28/04/2026
Employer heading
Associate Director of Quality Improvement
Band 8D
Job overview
We are delighted to be recruiting into this new post to drive Quality Improvement at a strategic level across GMMH. We are looking for an individual who will lead the promotion and implementation of continuous/quality improvement programmes.
You will provide specialist expertise on the systematic application of improvement methodologies small and large scale, along with a deep understanding of leading and collaborating for change using scale and spread methodologies in the NHS. Working on a range of large-scale change programmes in a range of services across divisions, the organisation, and the health economy. The postholder will demonstrate the ability to navigate through the complexity of moving from small test of change and going to scale, will understand and apply relational engagement and collaborative methods, measurement, and address barriers to success.
Reporting to the Chief Nurse, you will head up the QI team and work across services to maximise wider teams who will drive our QI culture. You will work with colleagues who support change at a strategic level across the organisation eg. OD, PMO. Digital transformation to deliver together for improved outcomes for our service users, carers, families and the communities we serve.
PLEASE NOTE, THE INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE 28TH OF APRIL 2026.
Informal enquiries are welcomed to [email protected]
Main duties of the job
For full details, please read the Job Description/Person Specification attached.
- To be responsible for development and delivery of the Trust’s Quality improvement plan, in support of the Trust strategy
- To provide the leadership to the QI Team and provide line management to other members of the QI team.
- To manage the budget for QI, including savings, revenues and external funds generated by the QI programme.
- Develop, implement and utilise control and management systems available to support the delivery of the Programme. Key tools/systems will include Programme Plan, Financial Plan and Risk Register.
- Ensure that control and management plans are kept updated and regular reports provided to the Chief Nurse, Executive team and Trust Board. To report on progress against agreed objectives at relevant committees where necessary, such as the Quality and Safety
Committee. - Develop robust communication mechanisms, utilising a variety of channels and media, to inspire, engage and involve all staff, service users and stakeholders in the quality improvement work at GMMH. Specifically ensure the development and delivery of a Programme Communication Plan.
- Possessing highly developed specialist knowledge in improvement science, interventions will be underpinned by an evidence base, best practice and will be able to take people on a journey of methods theory into practice.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
- Pay Enhancements
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Excellent pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Wellbeing programme
- Blue Light Card Discounts
- fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Education/Qualification
Essential criteria
- Educated to postgraduate degree level or equivalent
- PRINCE II or programme management qualification or equivalent
- Specialist QI qualifications and/or significant experience in leading and developing improvement strategy across complex organisations
- Evidence of continued professional development aligned to Quality Improvement
Desirable criteria
- Deep knowledge and skills in quality improvement methods, to be able to act as an internal expert.
- Masters level education
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Specialist Quality Improvement qualifications and/or significant experience in leading and developing improvement strategy across complex organisations.
- Considerable experience of senior management responsibility for managing services, teams, including objective setting, learning and development, performance management and allocation of workload.
- Significant experience managing services in complex healthcare setting.
- Experience in major strategy or policy development and implementation which impacts across or beyond Organisational boundaries.
- Successful management of large budgets.
- Demonstrable experience of Public and patient involvement initiatives.
- Previous experience of analysing and presenting information effectively in report form, in discussion and in presentations.
- Principles of audit and evaluation Management of change
- Service redesign techniques.
- Principles of continuous improvement.
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrable experience in clinical services of developing, supporting, facilitating, monitoring and implementing quality improvement / safer care programmes.
- Previous experience of setting up admin and programme tracking systems Development of Business cases and funding bids.
- Development of tender specifications and procurement processes in the NHS.
- Understanding of Mental Health legislation and guidance.
- Understanding of Organisational development theory, models and techniques.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Excellent information management skills
- The use of appropriate programme management applications in order to produce and maintain formal programme plans and timetables.
- Demonstrate the ability to handle technical, highly complex, highly sensitive or contentious information and present this to a variety of audiences where significant barriers to acceptance may exist. The post holder will require exceptional communication skills in presenting and receiving information.
- Demonstrate ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate a way forward involving both internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations which require the analysis , interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
- Provide clear recommendations on the most appropriate course of action, following the analysis of highly complex information
- The post holder will demonstrate highly developed specialist communication and negotiation skills to handle highly complex and difficult situations in a constructive and positive way.
- Ability to interpret and apply national guidance.
- Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff from a variety of backgrounds.
- Demonstrates significant senior leadership and management skills and qualities.
- Political astuteness
- Ability to challenge orthodoxies and established work patterns in a positive engaging way.
- Excellent motivation skills
Desirable criteria
- The use of appropriate programme management applications in order to produce and maintain formal programme plans and timetables.
- Ability to provide training and guidance to colleagues on programme management methodologies.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Salli Midgley
- Job title
- Chief Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
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