Assistant Director of Planning and Performance

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Exeter is seeking an Assistant Director of Planning and Performance to oversee strategic planning and performance management. The candidate will lead a team, monitor performance, and coordinate activities across multiple departments. This role offers professional development opportunities and a generous benefits package, including holiday entitlements and pay enhancements.

Benefits

27-33 days holiday per year

Pay enhancements for out of hours working

Car leasing scheme

Free parking at Trust sites

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Significant experience of planning and performance roles required.
• Experience of the private/commercial sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning Team.
• Monitor organisational performance and efficiency.
• Coordinate Trust-wide planning and performance activities.

Skills

Planning

Performance Monitoring

Team Leadership

Resource Optimization

Education

Degree

Continuing Professional Development

Job description

Go back South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Director of Planning and Performance

The closing date is 07 October 2025

This is a new role focused on leading the organisation's strategic planning and performance management functions. The postholder is responsible for developing and implementing frameworks that ensure the Trust achieves its strategic aims through effective planning, performance monitoring, and resource optimisation. Please note the JD is current indicative Band 8d subject to job evaluation review.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and manage the Planning Team, escalating issues to the Executive Director as needed.
• Monitor organisational performance and efficiency.
• Coordinate Trust-wide planning and performance activities across ROC, Workforce, Fleet, and Estates.
• Attend Board and Committee meetings as required.
• Develop team capability and ensure alignment with Trust goals.
• Promote equality, diversity, and respectful workplace culture.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Degree
• Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development

Experience

• Significant experience of planning and performance roles
• Experience of the private/commercial sector

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.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust