Programme Manager

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group Programme Management Office (PMO) as a Programme Manager, leading the delivery of complex transformation and service improvement programmes across MFT. The role is focused on driving sustainable change, working closely with clinical, operational, and corporate teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable improvements in quality, safety, patient experience, and operational performance.

You will provide programme leadership, stakeholder engagement, and improvement expertise to support the successful delivery of high-profile change initiatives at scale and ensure benefits are realised.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced programme or project manager with a passion for leading organisational change and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job

The Programme Manager will lead the delivery of complex transformation and change programmes across the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into sustainable improvements in service delivery, quality, and performance. The post holder will work closely with clinical, operational, and corporate teams to plan, implement, and embed change, providing leadership and support throughout the programme lifecycle.

They will be responsible for driving programme delivery, governance, risk management, benefits realisation, performance reporting, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that change initiatives are successfully embedded. and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - what better place to shape and develop your leadership career. We deliver care to over 1 million patients & users each year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. Our 30,000 plus strong workforce is central to our success and innovation.You will play a pivotal part in supporting our operational excellence and strategic ambitions. You'll work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff wellbeing, and service efficiency across the Trust.MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. You'll have access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery.We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role you play in our organisation's success.Join us and help shape the future of our Trust--make a real difference to our teams, our services, and our communities, and fundamentally, our patients.

Job responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Post graduate degree and/or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through practical experience
• Programme or Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, APM, Agile or equivalent).

Desirable

• Relevant accredited improvement training at coach level or evidence of applied improvement methods
• Coaching qualification
• Operation Management and/or Clinical background

Knowledge

Essential

• Significant knowledge of project management and improvement methodologies
• Demonstrable significant knowledge and application of service improvement methodologies and approaches

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of applying continuous improvement methodology at multiple levels within an organisation.
• Significant experience of leading and participating in large-scale change
• Previous experience of bringing innovation and innovative ideas to practice
• Experience of using data and measurement for improvement
• Experience of working in a fast paced, adaptable environment.
• Previous significant experience collaborating with senior staff
• Principles of audit and evaluation, with evidence of previous experience leading audits
• Experience of managing project budgets, monitoring financial performance and ensuring resources are used effectively to support delivery of programme objectives

Desirable

• Teaching or coaching experience

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret information, identify solutions and manage conflict effectively.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and convey complex information clearly.
• Highly organised, with strong information management skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands and work to tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to analyse data, produce high-quality reports and pre-sent information effectively.
• Ability to provide training and guidance to colleagues on project management methodologies.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff from a variety of backgrounds.
• Understanding of continuous improvement 9 principles and experience of supporting change in a collaborative, compassionate and inclusive manner
• Ability to work autonomously and prioritise own workload.
• Ability to work collaboratively and in teams.