Implementation Manager - National - Newcastle upon Tyne

Are you ready to make a real impact across the NHS? We are looking for forward-thinking, motivated professionals to join our team in a role that is central to both enhancing the current NHS workforce solution and preparing for the successful implementation of its future replacement. In this role, you will work directly with NHS organisations helping them to optimise their use of the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) solution to realise key business case benefits, establishing and running a new Readiness and Implementation Team.

Success in this role will rely on your ability to build trusted relationships with NHS organisations, acting as a visible ambassador and subject matter expert, bringing best practices to life and ensuring workforce systems are effectively adopted and embedded. You will lead on the delivery of service strategies and help NHS organisations get the most from the systems that underpin their people operations.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead meaningful change and play a key part in shaping the future of the NHS workforce landscape. You will bring operational leadership across current system optimisation and future solution implementation. Driving stakeholder engagement, you will use data and insight to inform your approach, conduct readiness assessments and manage delivery to ensure a smooth and effective transition from the existing system to the new one.

Main duties of the job:

• Lead the optimisation of the current workforce solution (ESR) across a defined group of NHS user organisations, ensuring capabilities are fully utilised.
• Support the Implementation Lead in running the regional/project team, contributing to the development of strategic objectives and operational procedures to deliver readiness and implementation support.
• Use readiness frameworks to assess user organisations' preparedness for the future workforce solution and guide them through documentation and planning processes.
• Collaborate with the future supplier team through implementation and provide direct support to NHS organisations transitioning to the new system, helping identify dependencies and mitigate rollout risks.
• Develop and maintain reporting frameworks to support programme-level decision-making.
• Build and manage strong relationships across NHS regions, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), and with external suppliers.
• Influence and secure user organisation commitment to implementation activities.

About us:

Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters. We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we are proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives. We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That is why when you join us, you will be empowered and supported to help your career grow.

As one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, we are connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress. We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.

We are committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more. Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!

Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.

Job responsibilities:

• Responsible for the optimisation of the current workforce solution across the allocated sub-set of user organisations in maximising capabilities and achieving business goals.
• Providing specialist functional advice, support and guidance to NHS organisations in relation to the current workforce solution.
• Provide SME guidance and support to user organisations in the planning and successful execution of annual ESR assessments with user organisations.
• Maintain a detailed technical and functional knowledge of the current workforce solution to influence senior stakeholders within user organisations in order to maximise the benefits offered through greater optimisation.
• Supporting the Implementation Lead in the running of the Implementation function.
• Use the available readiness frameworks to evaluate user organisations preparedness for the future solution.
• Work with the future supplier team in delivering their responsibilities to deliver implementation waves, support user organisations in each wave to transition successfully to the future solution.
• Responsible for the collection and sharing of data quality and insight for the current workforce system and user organisation readiness for the future solution.
• Build and manage relationships with the future supplier and within NHS regions, including ICBs/ICSs and user organisations at all levels and wider stakeholders to foster engagement and collaboration.
• Use available frameworks to assess the change management, and wider capabilities needed for a user organisation to both optimise the current ESR solution and to successfully implement the future solution.
• Actively seek feedback and promote adaptability to continually refine processes, ensuring alignment with both user organisation needs and evolving system requirements.

Qualifications:

• Essential: Degree in relevant Discipline (e.g. Public Sector Management)
• Project Management Qualification - PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development
• Desirable: Masters Degree or Postgraduate professional qualification (e.g. MCIPD)
• Prince 2 Practitioner qualification
• Qualification in programme management, or a related discipline.
• Leadership qualification level 4 or above.
• Change Management qualification (e.g., PROSCI).
• Certification in Data Analytics or Data Management (e.g., Certified Analytics Professional).

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrable skills in operational and programme management, project planning, and implementation.
• Strong focus on the delivery of optimisation and implementation activities.
• Proven skills in building relationships and engaging stakeholders at senior executive leadership levels.
• Experience of delivery in data collection, quality management, and analysis.
• Experience in the application of change management principles and methods.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire and influence.
• Specialised technical expertise in the current workforce solution (ESR).

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in a leadership role within an operational service delivery, programme management, or change management setting.
• Proven track record in managing system implementations and leading teams through significant transitions.
• Experience in stakeholder management and relationship-building at a senior executive level.
• Experience with data insight and reporting to support decision-making.
• Prior experience in supporting the establishment of a new function or programme area within an organisation.