Programme Director

Fixed term/Secondment until 31/03/2027 to meet the needs of the service. The Transformation and Strategic Planning Directorate offers an experienced healthcare leader the role of Programme Director for Community by Design (CbD). This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most ambitious and high‑profile transformation programmes in NHS Wales, shaping how care is delivered for future generations by shifting the balance towards prevention, integration and community‑based care.

During this exciting time in our transformation journey as we reset and refresh our approach to the Major Change Programmes (MCPs), you will operate as one of four Programme Directors across the agreed MCPs, which include Planned Care, UEC and the Clinical Services Plan. CbD is a nationally initiated, system‑wide transformation programme across NHS Wales, aligned to longstanding Welsh Government policy to deliver integrated, preventative services in the community – improving population health outcomes and supporting people to remain well closer to home.

Delivering this ambition will require:

• A fundamental shift from reactive, service‑led models to proactive, population health approaches
• Designing care around people and place, with neighbourhood‑level multidisciplinary teams
• Addressing system fragmentation, siloed working and unwarranted variation

Main Duties:

• Shaping and delivering a complex, system‑wide programme of work
• Leading the development and implementation of new, integrated models of care
• Working in partnership with colleagues across NHS Wales
• Developing and delivering a comprehensive communication and engagement approach
• Establishing and overseeing an outcomes and benefits realisation framework
• Ensuring robust governance, reporting and assurance arrangements
• Providing regular updates and expert advice to the Executive Team and stakeholders
• Leading the development of evidence‑based proposals to support service transformation
• Driving an integrated approach across programmes
• Regularly liaising with the Executive Team and senior leaders within the organisation

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Essential criteria: Masters, preferably in healthcare management, or equivalent experience
• Programme Management (MSP Practitioner)
• Extensive knowledge across disciplines including performance management, continuous improvement, programme management, digital, information, finance and human resources
• Specialist knowledge of healthcare systems, service analysis, service transformation and programme management, along with engagement, consultation and communication skills and senior (Board level) relationships with partner organisations
• Detailed knowledge of healthcare and legislative and national standards with the ability to interpret as appropriate to this role

• Desirable criteria: Project Management (PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent)
• Knowledge of capital processes

Experience:

• Essential criteria: Significant experience and expertise in programme management within the healthcare sector, with a proven record of successfully delivering complex programmes
• In‑depth professional knowledge and experience in disciplines including healthcare systems, service analysis, service change/transformation and programme management
• Extensive NHS senior management experience preferably at Board level in a public sector environment, including in‑depth knowledge of financial management, performance management information systems and staff management.
• Experience of working in multi‑agency teams to deliver innovation and improvement in services
• Achievement and experience of strategy planning, service modelling and developing successful business cases
• Ability to lead, manage and implement change to improve services to patients

• Desirable criteria: Extensive experience managing multi‑million pound projects and budgets, including complex procurements

Values:

• Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality, promoting high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes
• Treating others with compassion, empathy and respect
• Valuing diversity and difference, operating with integrity and openness

Other:

• Able to relate to staff of all disciplines and seniority and build credible relationships with a wide range of professionals
• Hard‑working, enthusiastic, committed, proactive and innovative
• Showing resilience, stamina and reliability under sustained pressure
• Developing and controlling complex project plans and risks using established project management methods

Aptitude and Abilities:

• Essential criteria: Strong understanding of NHS policies, procedures and healthcare regulations
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Leadership coaching and management skills
• Ability to lead by example and influence others
• High level of interpersonal skills, demonstrating credibility, influence and political acumen
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships; proven ability to influence, persuade and negotiate with staff at all levels

• Desirable criteria: Ability to speak Welsh
• Ability to use various media to communicate project work

Personal Qualities:

• Tenacious, demonstrating high levels of drive, enthusiasm and stamina to achieve goals and see things through
• Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment
• High degree of political awareness
• Understanding the need to deliver short‑term priorities and achieve long‑term goals
• Flexible and adaptable to meet all aspects of the work

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply. Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form. Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.