Senior Advisor - Delivery Core in Cambridge

Hours of work: Full-time. Flexible working hours/options compatible with the role can be discussed – a minimum of 0.8wte for this role is indicated. Contract type: 12-month fixed term, with possible extension subject to funding. Base: Cambridge. We offer flexible working arrangements. Our staff combine on-site and remote working, enabling us to come together when it matters most and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Reports to: Head of Programmes in the Delivery Team. Closing date for applications: 31st July 2026.

About Health Innovation East: Our purpose at Health Innovation East is to turn great ideas into positive health impact. We were established by the NHS to convene all partners in the health sector, to develop and deliver innovative solutions in health and care. Our focus is the East of England, but we are also part of a national network which enables us to deliver at scale. Our consulting offer also extends beyond the East of England, and we are increasingly undertaking national commissions. Citizens, academia, health services and industry will achieve more working together than they will in isolation. Our job is to make this happen. We do this by helping innovators to navigate complex systems, generate value propositions and connect stakeholders to overcome challenges together.

Job summary and purpose: The Delivery Team works with local organisations to deliver national programmes to support adoption and spread of health innovations with a proven evidence base. These currently include innovations within CKD, Type 1 diabetes, women’s health and digital transformation, all with health inequalities as a cross-cutting theme. We also work with our Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and NHSE East of England regional team in the identification, adoption, spread and real-world evaluation of innovations/innovative approaches that address local population health and wellbeing priorities. The Senior Advisor will be responsible for a thematic programme or portfolio of projects and will provide programme/project/change management expertise to ensure successful project oversight and delivery, with measurable impact. It is essential that the post-holder has a good understanding of the challenges faced in healthcare and how we can address them most effectively.

The post holder will need to demonstrate the following experience:

• Experience in developing, coordinating and delivering projects in collaboration with health and care partners.
• A strong track record of leading change from start to finish using continuous improvement, organisational development, strategic development and transformation methodologies.
• A good understanding of health and care system priorities and challenges.

Key responsibilities: To lead delivery of programmes as part of the Delivery Core Team, under the supervision of the Head of Programmes. This involves, but is not limited to:

• Responsible for the planning and delivery of core programmes ensuring alignment to national, regional and local priorities.
• Establish and nurture relationships with key stakeholders to support the successful delivery of projects.
• Represent HIE at relevant local working groups and project meetings, providing information, guiding discussions and facilitating project delivery.
• Model a collaborative and influencing style of working, negotiating with others to achieve the best outcomes.
• Monitor progress across the programme and produce regular project reports and updates for national, regional and local governance mechanisms.
• Ensuring appropriate project governance is in place in relation to data sharing, information governance, managing inequalities and clinical safety.
• Support Head of Programmes, ensuring that programme risks and issues are proactively identified and reported, proposing resolutions, mitigation and escalation of any risks.
• Work with the Programme Management Office to ensure effective and timely financial and performance reporting to SMT, Board and commissioners.
• Ensure the work undertaken aligns to relevant national guidance and best practice, including NICE clinical guidance, sharing best practices with the Health Innovation Network and other national working groups as appropriate.
• Line manage advisors and/or co‑ordinators.
• Work with senior colleagues to scope and procure independent evaluations and manage them through to delivery on time and within budget.

Across all our projects, the following core responsibilities apply:

• Writing monthly internal highlight reports.
• Maintaining and updating project plans (including key milestones, risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies) and escalating concerns when appropriate.
• Developing excellent working relationships with external stakeholders as required.
• Support bid writing and developing compelling proposals for paid work.

Corporate and personal responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Promote and observe Health Innovation East’s equity, diversity and inclusion pledges in every aspect of your work.
• Support the organisation in creating an environment that values risk management.
• Ensure that we only operate within our remit of not offering clinical advice.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures and any applicable legislation.

Qualifications and training: Educated to degree level in relevant subject, or with equivalent experience in healthcare. Evidence of project/change management qualification, learning or demonstrable experience.

Knowledge and understanding:

• Excellent knowledge of improvement and/or implementation methodologies and application within health and/or social care settings.
• Knowledge and experience of programme/project management and risk management.
• Knowledge of information governance, security, GDPR legislation and guidance or willingness to learn.
• Awareness of strategic challenges facing the NHS (in particular Eastern region).

Skills:

• Robust programme/project management skills.
• Proficient in leading change management/implementation/transformation.
• Strong relationship building and management skills with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills – involving receiving and understanding complex information, summarising and disseminating to varied audiences.
• Ability to manage own workload, prioritise work in response to changing requirements and demands and attention to detail.
• Proficient in use of a range of IT software, including MS Word, MS Project, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good levels of emotional intelligence and resilience.

Experience:

• Experience of managing complex programmes and/or projects within healthcare systems.
• Experience of embedding innovation into healthcare systems.
• Experience of scoping programmes/projects and evaluations.
• Experience of translating policy into practice.
• Experience in chairing/facilitating meetings and workshops with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in providing compassionate leadership, empowering others to make a meaningful contribution.
• Flexibility and adaptability for different kinds of projects, tasks and activities.
• Evidence of the ability to work with teams in developing improvement/transformation/innovation adoption projects and/or facilitating the implementation of national guidelines.
• Ability to develop good relationships with senior colleagues internal and external to the organisation.
• Ability to maintain credibility of self and the team.
• Ability to work flexibly (hours of work and duties) both autonomously and within a small team.
• Ability to regularly travel within the region.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience of supporting digital transformation/change management in a health and care environment.
• Strong analytical/critical appraisal skills.
• A good understanding of evaluation approaches.

Benefits of working at Health Innovation East: As part of the benefits package, Health Innovation East’s employees are entitled to 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for less than wholetime equivalent) and are offered a company pension (employer contribution up to 10% of annual salary) as well as a cycle to work scheme. In addition, all employees have unlimited access to the company’s well-being programme which is fully confidential. Team members on secondments will remain on their employer’s terms and conditions.

Right to work in the UK: Applicants must be able to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK at the point of any job offer.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Health Innovation East is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where needed.