Head of Estates Integration – N&WUHG New Hospital Programme

Head of Estates Integration – N&WUHG New Hospital Programme

NHS AfC: Band 8b

Main area Project Management Grade NHS AfC: Band 8b Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 426-470-26TW

Site The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn Town King's Lynn Salary £66,582 - £77,368 Per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 16/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are seeking an exceptional and highly experienced Head of Estates integration to provide strategic leadership for all Estates integration, infrastructure readiness, technical assurance, organisational transformation and operational commissioning activities associated with the new hospitals at Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn and James Paget University Hospital as part of the One New Hospital Programme across Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.

To support these programmes, two Head of Estates Integration posts have been established, one hosted by each Trust. Whilst each postholder will be responsible for delivery within their respective organisation, both roles form part of a wider collaborative programme across the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.

The One Programme represents a transformational investment across both organisations, delivering two major hospital redevelopment schemes under a shared strategic vision. Whilst the role will primarily support one scheme, the post holder will play a key leadership role in ensuring alignment with programme-wide estates strategies, technical standards, governance arrangements and transformation priorities across both organisations.

Main duties of the job

Strategic Leadership and Programme Integration

• Act as the senior Estates lead and technical authority for the programme, providing strategic advice to Directors, Trust Boards, Programme Boards, NHS England and New Hospital Programme stakeholders.
• Organisational Transformation and Service Integration
• Leadership and Workforce Management
• Financial, Commercial and Procurement Responsibility
• Policy and Service Development
• Stakeholder Engagement and Requirements Management
• Programme Delivery and Operational Readiness
• Technical Assurance and Compliance

Complexity and Decision-Making

Working for our organisation

There’s never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We’re working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital due to open in 2031/32 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we’ve ever undertaken.

Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.

At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.

We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as ‘Good’, and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.

We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through extensive senior-level experience in Estates, Engineering, Infrastructure, Construction or Healthcare Property Management.
• Evidence of advanced specialist knowledge developed through significant post-qualification experience.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (IWFM, IHEEM, CIBSE, RICS, APM or equivalent).
• Evidence of continuous professional development at a senior level, including leadership development.
• Formal qualification in organisational change, transformation or operational readiness.

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within a large, complex healthcare, infrastructure, construction or transformation programme.
• Proven experience in information management within the construction or healthcare industry.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a large, complex healthcare, infrastructure, construction or transformation programme.
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams including direct line management responsibility for professional staff.
• Experience of managing and directing external consultants, technical advisers and specialist professional services.
• Experience of working within complex governance environments and reporting to Boards, senior executives or programme governance groups.
• Experience of leading organisational change and transformation across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Good working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.
• Good understanding of environmental/sustainability issues within healthcare premises.

Skills

• Excellent leadership, programme management and organisational development skills demonstrated within complex strategic programmes.
• Knowledge of RIBA Stages of work, NHS Health Technical Memorandum (HTMs) and Health Building Notes (HBNs), British Standards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Building Safety legislation, Hospital 2.0 standards, Net Zero Carbon requirements and healthcare estate strategy.
• Have an ability to be able to analyse, interpret and act upon complex data.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and issues in a face-to-face environment and in formal written communications with people from a wide range of staff levels and experience.
• Visible and credible leader with the ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus at Executive, Board and system level.
• Able to operate effectively in highly ambiguous and politically sensitive environments.
• Credible and inspirational senior leader.
• Strategic thinker with strong organisational awareness.
• Flexible approach to working across programme and organisational priorities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Building Safety legislation, Hospital 2.0 standards, Net Zero Carbon requirements and healthcare estate strategy.

Applications are welcome from anyone who meets the criteria specified in the person specification regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. Only those applicants who demonstrate in the application form how they meet the criteria in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications and experience, but we also recruit individuals who possess and can demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our core values (attached).

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to the transfer of information in the application form to Trac jobs & if you are offered a job your personal information will be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system. Please check your email account including your junk folder, regularly for communication regarding this vacancy.

We offer our staff a wide range of benefits and support including:

• Flexible working opportunities
• Free counselling service
• Access to Stream - an app-based service that provides instant earned wage access*
• Support and advice for staff affected by either Perimenopause or Menopause
• Opportunity to join our Staff Networks which include Armed Forces, REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Culture Heritage), Disability and LGBTQ+ networks.

We are committed to being a menopause friendly employer.

Certificates of Sponsorship / Visa and Immigration

Although the salary for Band 3+posts is expected to meet the applicable UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) salary threshold from December 2026 and may therefore be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, (subject to the immigration rules in force at the time of application) applicants are responsible for checking their own eligibility against the relevant immigration requirements. The availability of sponsorship and any visa application remain subject to UKVI rules and approval. If you are not eligible, any offer of employment already made may be withdrawn.

Please note that all Nursing and Healthcare Assistant (HCA) vacancies require a face-to-face interview.

If you require sponsorship to work in this role including where you are currently sponsored, and wish to change employer, please review the Skilled Worker visa eligibility criteria before applying. Further information is available on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Applications

We encourage applicants to ensure that applications accurately reflect their own skills, experience, achievements and motivations. While AI and other digital tools can support drafting and proofreading, applications should be written in a way that genuinely represents the individual applicant.

During our assessment process, we are looking to understand your personal knowledge, experience and suitability for the role. Applications that rely on AI-generated content may not provide an accurate reflection of your capabilities and could make it more difficult for us to assess your suitability fairly or accurately during the interview process.

We encourage candidates to take the time to prepare accurate applications using their own examples and experiences, enabling a fair and transparent recruitment process for all applicants.

Important Notice for Applicants

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safe and fair recruitment practices. We do not charge any fees for applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or offers of employment. All vacancies are advertised through our official recruitment channels and all recruitment communications will come from authorised Trust representatives using official contact details. If you are asked to make a payment, provide banking information, or have concerns about the authenticity of a recruitment communication, please contact our Recruitment Team for verification before taking any action.

For Overseas Applicants

Please be aware that fraudulent organisations and individuals sometimes falsely claim to represent NHS employers. The Trust will never request payment for employment opportunities, Certificates of Sponsorship, recruitment administration, or visa support. Applicants should only rely on information published on the Trust's official website and recruitment systems.

The Trust reserves the right to review applications from former employees and may take previous employment history into account as part of the selection process.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Application numbers

Name James Chadwick Job title Associate Estates & Facilities Director-New QEH Email address james.chadwick@qehkl.nhs.uk Telephone number 01553613829

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