Assistant Director of Planning and Performance

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Exeter is seeking an Assistant Director of Planning and Performance to lead strategic planning and performance functions. The ideal candidate will have a degree and substantial experience in planning roles. This position offers career progression, a competitive salary, and various benefits including generous holiday entitlements and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

27 days of annual leave, rising with service

Pay enhancements for extra hours

Free parking

Wide range of discounts

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning Team.
• Monitor organisational performance and efficiency.
• Coordinate planning activities across departments.

Skills

Planning and performance management

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree

Continuing professional development

Job description

Assistant Director of Planning and Performance

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 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.

Benefits

• 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.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust