Job summary
- Main area
- Project Management - Dementia and Older Adult Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term role for 12 months)
- Hours
- Part time - 30 hours per week (working pattern to be agreed with the postholder to reasonably allow the requirements of the job t be undertaken)
- Job ref
- 354-AE-21165
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Hill Rise
- Town
- Newhaven
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 17/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Project Manager
NHS AfC: Band 7
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Project Manager to carry out a one-year research project exploring the feasibility of establishing a community-based hub for older people affected by dementia in Lewes and District. This project is inspired by the successful Sage House Model (see Dementia Support at Sage House | West Sussex Dementia Services & Support ) and aims to improve wellbeing and reduce health and care costs. The outcome of the project will be a comprehensive feasibility report and recommendations for next steps regarding a physical, public-facing integrated hub that will serve the local community.
Main duties of the job
Given the system-wide, multi-agency context, candidates should ideally have a good working knowledge of the East Sussex health and social care landscape, and excellent communication skills to engage with the wide range of stakeholders. We will also welcome candidates who have lived experience of being affected by dementia in addition to their professional experience.
You will also have:
- Proven experience in project management, preferably within the health and social care sector.
- Strong leadership and organisational skills.
- Ability to conduct thorough research and analysis and to report the results verbally and in writing.
- Passion for improving the lives of older adults and those affected by dementia.
Working for our organisation
This is a part-time, fixed-term role for one year, 30 hours per week. This community project is funded by the Friends of Lewes Victoria Hospital, has oversight by the East Sussex Dementia Working Group (a multi-provider collaborative group reporting to East Sussex Mental Health Oversight Board) and will be supported by existing leads and Dementia service providers within East Sussex. Clinical leadership and project management support and supervision will be provided by Sussex Partnership Trust.
The postholder's main base is open to negotiation. They will be expected to have some physical presence in the project area and a base may be available with primary care colleagues in Lewes for part of the time. Some travelling around the Lewes District is to be expected as part of the community engagement. Some hybrid working will also be possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key Responsibilities of this role will include:
- Lead and manage the research project, ensuring all objectives are met within the 12-month timeframe.
- Engage with stakeholders, including NHS, Adult Social Care, VCSE sector, service-users and carers and the wider community.
- Gather data to support needs assessments, health inequalities analysis, and service model options appraisal.
- Carry out an options appraisal on the service model and target service user group (focus on Dementia or wider focus on Dementia and Mental Health)
- Foster and facilitate strong local partnerships
- Investigate and engage possible funding streams for the future hub, including charitable sources.
- Investigate estate options for a sustainable forward plan
- Produce detailed reports and disseminate findings to relevant parties.
Person specification
Experience, communication, skills and values
Essential criteria
- Proven experience in managing small to medium-sized projects, ideally within a public sector or government environment.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and managing cross-functional project teams.
- Solid understanding of project management methodologies
- Knowledge of health, social care and VCSE frameworks and governance structures.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Highly organised and adaptable, with a proactive approach to problem-solving
Desirable criteria
- Informed by lived experience/ understanding of the effects of living with dementia, or caring for a person with dementia
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Padmaprabha Dalby
- Job title
- Clinical Director, Older Adult and Dementia
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01903 803466
- Additional information
Candidates can additionally contact Ian Dyer, Programme Manager for Mental Health Integration at [email protected] to learn more about the project and role.
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