*INTERNAL MPFT ONLY* Transformation Programme Manager in Stafford

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Programme Manager to join MPFT's Transformation Collective, either for a 12-month secondment or fixed term contract. MPFT has recently launched its 5-year Strategy, and this post will have a key role in supporting the Trust's new approach to Portfolio Management and delivering key strategic programmes of work. The post holder will be expected to manage and co-ordinate multiple projects and plans concurrently, maintaining an acute awareness of interdependencies. The role will require effective communication with the Trust's Care Groups and Corporate Directorates to ensure a culture of improvement and efficient delivery is developed and embedded. The postholder will also have line management responsibilities, so experience of managing a team of project managers is essential. The successful candidate will have the ability to balance a very busy workload and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. The post holder will also be a completer finisher with strong stakeholder management skills who can act autonomously.

Interviews to take place Tuesday 8th September 2026.

Main duties of the job

As a core member of the Transformation Collective, the Programme Manager will facilitate and support the adoption of robust programme and project management methodologies across the Trust. The post holder will manage and co-ordinate programmes, multiple projects and plans concurrently, maintaining an acute awareness of interdependencies. The role requires effective communication with stakeholders to embed a culture of improvement and efficient delivery. The post holder will be responsible for developing business cases and driving projects from initiation to full mobilisation and handover to operational teams. They will maintain rigorous programme governance and documentation, ensuring consistency of approach and supporting the full delivery of transformational projects. The role supports the Associate Director of Transformation Delivery to ensure day-to-day activities focus on the end-to-end programme cycle for key transformation programmes linked to Trust objectives. The post holder will provide buddy support and coaching to project leads.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities. We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems. We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow. We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

• Lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of transformation programmes and business critical projects, ensuring alignment with Trust and system priorities.
• Develop and deploy business cases for transformational programmes and projects, ensuring compliance with Trust and system processes and procedures.
• Plan and manage programmes and projects within defined frameworks and governance structures, ensuring effective reporting of progress.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of all programme and project activity, unblocking issues as they arise.
• Undertake project dependency mapping and factor these dependencies into resource and milestone plans.
• Manage key milestones and performance indicators, escalating risks and issues as appropriate.
• Lead and support the development of service delivery models that ensure value for money and promote excellence and innovation.
• Identify and secure the financial and physical resources required for projects.
• Ensure all project mobilisation plans are robust, including realistic assumptions around workforce planning, and use research, surveys, and audit as required.
• Maintain rigorous programme governance and documentation, ensuring consistency of approach and supporting full delivery of transformation projects.
• Provide line management, supervision, and professional development support to the Senior Programme and Project Manager and other project staff as required.
• Engage and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to drive and embed change.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to staff within the Transformation team.
• Support the Head of Transformation Delivery to ensure day-to-day activities focus on the end-to-end programme cycle for key transformation programmes.
• Ensure appropriate project management systems are set up to support programme controls and reporting.
• Maintain the Programmes Risk & Issues log in accordance with the System Risk Management Framework.
• Support the development of system dashboards as required.
• Use various software packages to produce reports, presentations, spreadsheets, access the internet, and communicate by email to support own work.
• Participate in the rota for delivering team developed training, as required.
• Support the coordination, running and development of the Project Management Community of Practice.
• The management of multiple concurrent projects, planning and delivering agreed outputs and benefits to time, cost and quality.
• Proactive identification and progression of service improvements in alignment with Trust business plans and strategies, especially during lower demand periods, rather than waiting to be allocated tasks or projects including bringing forward scoped proposals with benefits, effort and risks for agreement.

Person Specification

• Project management qualification - Essential
• Line Management experience - Essential

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.

Employer details

Employer name: Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trust HQ, Mellor House, Corporation Street, Stafford, ST16 3SR, United Kingdom