Senior Programme Manager in Bristol

Job Location: Redhill, with on-site working across Surrey.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership for complex programmes and projects across our Federation. The role will lead the design, mobilisation, implementation and evaluation of large-scale transformation programmes, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, quality standards, benefits and financial expectations. Working at senior leadership level, the post holder will collaborate across GP federations, Primary Care Networks, practices, providers and system partners to develop sustainable models of care and improve outcomes for patients, practices and populations. This is an opportunity to influence across organisational boundaries and play a key role in neighbourhood working and at-scale delivery across DHC.

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship, and the successful candidate must have existing right to work in the UK.

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder will lead and deliver on several complex programmes from initiation through to implementation and evaluation.
• They will translate strategic objectives into practical delivery plans, establish governance arrangements, manage milestones, risks, interdependencies, budgets and benefits, and support the mobilisation of new contracts and services.
• They will produce clear performance reports and Board papers, advise senior leaders, and escalate issues with recommendations for resolution.
• The role also involves building effective relationships across the NHS and wider partner organisations, supporting business cases and funding proposals, and providing leadership, coaching and management to programme delivery support staff.

About us:

Dorking Healthcare works with partners across Surrey to support high-quality, sustainable services and improve outcomes for patients, practices and local populations. Our work depends on collaboration across organisational boundaries, clear governance and a shared focus on practical delivery. The Senior Programme Manager will join a supportive, improvement-focused environment and work with senior leaders, clinical teams and system partners.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• 27 to 33 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to buy or sell leave
• Training and career development opportunities
• NHS Pension Scheme

DHC actively encourages and promotes diversity, ensures all voices are heard and included, and is committed to equal opportunities for all.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic programmes aligned to organisational objectives.
• Support the development of business cases, options appraisals and investment proposals.
• Translate strategic objectives into deliverable work programmes and implementation plans.
• Provide expert programme management advice to Directors, Boards and senior stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, service redesign and organisational improvement.
• Lead multiple complex programmes from initiation through to implementation and evaluation.
• Establish and manage programme governance arrangements.
• Develop and maintain programme plans, milestones, risk registers and benefits realisation frameworks.
• Ensure programme delivery is achieved within agreed timescales, quality standards and financial envelopes.
• Manage interdependencies across multiple organisations and workstreams.
• Lead programme mobilisation for new contracts and services.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and embedded into future delivery.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with GP Federations, PCNs, GP Practices, ICBs, NHS England, community and acute providers, local authorities, voluntary sector partners, and patients and public representatives.
• Act as a senior representative for DHC at meetings, workshops and system forums.
• Facilitate collaboration across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes.
• Manage complex and sensitive stakeholder relationships.
• Develop robust performance reporting frameworks.
• Monitor programme performance using agreed KPIs and outcome measures.
• Produce reports and presentations for Boards, Executive Teams and programme boards.
• Ensure benefits are identified, measured and realised.
• Escalate risks and issues proactively with recommendations for resolution.
• Support programme budgeting, financial planning and resource allocation.
• Monitor expenditure against agreed budgets.
• Ensure programmes deliver value for money and achieve agreed financial outcomes.
• Support the development of funding bids and business cases.
• Contribute to contract monitoring and performance review processes.
• Ensure programmes comply with organisational governance requirements.
• Maintain programme risk registers and assurance frameworks.
• Prepare reports and papers for Board and committee meetings.
• Provide leadership and management to programme and project staff.
• Develop a high-performing programme management culture.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to staff and emerging leaders.
• Promote organisational values and foster collaborative working.

Person Specification:

• Knowledge: NHS structures, commissioning and provider arrangements; Primary Care Networks and General Practice; Programme and project management methodologies; Governance and risk management; Financial management and performance reporting; Change management and service redesign methodologies.
• Skills: Strategic thinking and planning; Exceptional stakeholder management; Influencing and negotiation skills; Programme governance expertise; Financial and analytical skills; Report writing and presentation skills; Leadership and people management capability.
• Qualifications: Educated to Master's level or equivalent experience; Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience: Significant programme management experience within the NHS or healthcare sector; Experience leading complex transformation programmes involving multiple organisations; Experience of developing business cases and securing stakeholder approval; Experience of presenting to Boards and senior committees; Experience managing programme budgets and resources; Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing without direct authority.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.