Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Programme Manager to take on the pivotal role of Programme Director within the Chief Medical Officer's Directorate.
This is a rare opportunity to influence change at executive level and lead a high-impact portfolio of corporate programmes that are critical to quality, safety, governance and organisational performance.
As a core member of the CMO Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership, assurance and oversight across a complex portfolio of high-profile programmes. Hold delegated authority for programme delivery, financial oversight and risk management. Drive initiatives that directly impact patient safety, quality of care and medical workforce effectiveness. Ensure robust governance, planning, reporting and benefits realisation from initiation through to post-implementation assurance. Influence and collaborate with Executive Directors, senior clinicians and divisional leaders.
This role demands a confident, politically astute leader who thrives in complex environments and can operate with a high degree of autonomy.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Programme Manager to provide strategic leadership, assurance and support across a complex portfolio of high impact corporate programmes within the Chief Medical Officer's Directorate.
The post holder will be a core member of the CMO senior leadership team and will have delegated authority for programme delivery, financial oversight and risk management across a large portfolio of complex programmes. This will ensure delivery of programmes that are critical to quality, safety, governance and organisational performance.
This appointment comes at a key moment for transformation at CUH. The Trust has committed to significant organisational change and to delivering improvements at pace. This role requires a senior leader who can operate with high levels of autonomy, influence at executive level and manage delivery in a complex and politically sensitive environment.
In this pivotal role, you will have end to end accountability for programmes from initiation through to benefits realisation and post implementation assurance working with executive directors, senior clinicians and divisional leaders. You will champion change across the organisation, embed sustainable improvements and ensure robust governance that enhance patient care and operational excellence.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentThis vacancy will close at midnight on the 4th March 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on the 16th March 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentThis vacancy will close at midnight on the 4th March 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on the 16th March 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience in the field of programme management and improvement, such as Postgraduate Certificate in Management and/or Advanced Certificate in Corporate Governance and/or Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Programme Management Qualification.
- Significant experience in project / programme management delivery with relevant qualifications such as PRINCE 2 Foundation & Practitioner qualifications.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-strand programmes at a corporate or system level within a large w complex organisation demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery or patient outcomes.
- Experience of working with Executive Directors, Clinical Boards and external stakeholders providing assurance and influencing strategic decision making.
- Significant experience of programme and project management, including use of service improvement techniques.
- Proven track record of managing budgets, financial risk and benefits realisation.
- Experience of operating in high risk, ambiguous and sensitive environments.
- Demonstrable evidence of leadership experience / ability to lead and contribute to the wider team Confident and experienced in SOP's.
- Experience and knowledge of regulatory matters, compliance and corporate governance, gained in a variety of NHS or academic organisations.
- Working in Microsoft Office environment - excel, power point, word.
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development.
Desirable
- Experience within an NHS Trust or equivalent complex public sector organisation.
- Experience working across organisational or system boundaries (e.g. ICS-level).
- Experience supporting clinical leadership functions.
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge, practical application and experience in programme management, service redesign, facilitation and successful implementation of projects at a senior level.
- Knowledge of successful risk management within the NHS.
- Demonstrable knowledge of corporate governance including relevant legislation e.g. Freedom of Information Act.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information with exceptional verbal and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences; meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to analyse and present complex information in an accessible form.
- Ability to build positive relationships, influence senior colleagues and other stakeholders, including on highly sensitive and complex matters; strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to represent CUH at local, regional and national forums.
- Achieves the commitment and support through the use of integrity and influence.
- Translates strategic direction into deliverable, measurable outcomes.
- Ability to manage and prioritise workload and to work under own initiative.
- Capable of critical and creative thinking with effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage a multifaceted, complex project / programme to time.
- Significant skills in programme planning and capability to communicate operability across a variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to coach colleagues at all levels to improve organisational capability.
Desirable
- Evidence of formal Leadership training.
- Coaching qualification.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience in the field of programme management and improvement, such as Postgraduate Certificate in Management and/or Advanced Certificate in Corporate Governance and/or Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Programme Management Qualification.
- Significant experience in project / programme management delivery with relevant qualifications such as PRINCE 2 Foundation & Practitioner qualifications.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-strand programmes at a corporate or system level within a large w complex organisation demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery or patient outcomes.
- Experience of working with Executive Directors, Clinical Boards and external stakeholders providing assurance and influencing strategic decision making.
- Significant experience of programme and project management, including use of service improvement techniques.
- Proven track record of managing budgets, financial risk and benefits realisation.
- Experience of operating in high risk, ambiguous and sensitive environments.
- Demonstrable evidence of leadership experience / ability to lead and contribute to the wider team Confident and experienced in SOP's.
- Experience and knowledge of regulatory matters, compliance and corporate governance, gained in a variety of NHS or academic organisations.
- Working in Microsoft Office environment - excel, power point, word.
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development.
Desirable
- Experience within an NHS Trust or equivalent complex public sector organisation.
- Experience working across organisational or system boundaries (e.g. ICS-level).
- Experience supporting clinical leadership functions.
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge, practical application and experience in programme management, service redesign, facilitation and successful implementation of projects at a senior level.
- Knowledge of successful risk management within the NHS.
- Demonstrable knowledge of corporate governance including relevant legislation e.g. Freedom of Information Act.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information with exceptional verbal and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences; meticulous attention to detail.
- Ability to analyse and present complex information in an accessible form.
- Ability to build positive relationships, influence senior colleagues and other stakeholders, including on highly sensitive and complex matters; strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to represent CUH at local, regional and national forums.
- Achieves the commitment and support through the use of integrity and influence.
- Translates strategic direction into deliverable, measurable outcomes.
- Ability to manage and prioritise workload and to work under own initiative.
- Capable of critical and creative thinking with effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage a multifaceted, complex project / programme to time.
- Significant skills in programme planning and capability to communicate operability across a variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to coach colleagues at all levels to improve organisational capability.
Desirable
- Evidence of formal Leadership training.
- Coaching qualification.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)