Project Manager - CQC and Service Improvement in Nottingham

The Project Manager CQC & Service Improvement will play a pivotal role in supporting NEMS to deliver high‐quality, safe, and well‐delivered services. The post holder will act as the dedicated project management lead for CQC readiness and regulatory compliance, initially for approximately three days per week, reducing as the programme stabilises. Alongside this, the post holder will provide project management support for wider service improvement initiatives across NEMS, working as part of the Business Improvement Team under the direction of the Head of Business Improvement. This role requires a dynamic, organised, and proactive project manager with strong stakeholder engagement skills, capable of working at pace across multiple services and professional groups.

Key Relationships:

• NEMS Executive Team
• Head of Business Improvement
• Head of Quality Governance & IG
• NEMS Leadership & Management Teams
• Operational and Clinical Teams
• Estates, Digital & Corporate Services
• ICs Partners and Commissioners
• CQC representatives

Main Duties of the Role:

CQC Project Management (Primary focus approx. 3 days per week initially):

• Lead and coordinate NEMS CQC readiness and always ready programme.
• Oversee delivery of actions arising from CQC inspections, audits, and external reviews.
• Analyse historical CQC reports and external audits to identify themes, risks, and required actions.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor CQC action plans, ensuring timely progress and escalation where required.
• Manage CQC‐related risk logs and ensure alignment with the organisational risk register.
• Prepare high‐quality reports and updates for the Executive Team, Board, and governance forums.
• Coordinate responses to CQC enquiries, concerns, and information requests.
• Maintain accurate CQC registration information, including Statement of Purpose updates.
• Manage the flow of data and evidence to the CQC.
• Support and coordinate meetings, focus groups, and site engagement relating to CQC assessment.
• Deliver training and briefings to staff involved in CQC processes.
• Lead and coordinate mock inspections across all NEMS sites, producing action plans and monitoring implementation.
• Work closely with clinical, operational, estates, digital, and comms teams to ensure regulatory requirements are understood and embedded.
• Maintain and update CQC evidence statements and Quality Improvement documentation.

Wider Service Improvement Project Management:

• Lead and manage multiple improvement projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of service, digital improvements, and new clinical pathways.
• Work with project leads, clinicians, and senior leaders to define objectives, deliverables, and timelines.
• Develop detailed project plans including resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Produce highlight reports and updates for governance groups and senior stakeholders.
• Identify benefits, support benefits realisation, and ensure alignment with NEMS strategy and NHS priorities.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across project teams.
• Present project updates at internal and external meetings as required.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Previous experience of working within a healthcare setting
• Knowledge of Quality Governance
• Previous experience of leading on projects
• Understanding of local and national policies in relation to regulatory requirements
• Experience of report writing
• Experience managing risk logs, action plans, and governance documentation
• Excellent verbal & written communication
• Organise self and use own initiative.
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and empathetic
• Team player

Desirable:

• Previous experience of CQC delivery plans
• Operating in NHS or social care commissioned services
• Experience in urgent primary care services
• Investigation experience.
• Experience delivering CQC improvement plans or mock inspections

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Degree Level Education

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a similar project management or service improvement role
• Formal project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, QSIR, APM)
• Educated to degree level
• Leadership or management qualification
• Governance or CQC specific training