Head of Planned Care Transformation

Croydon Health Services NHS Foundation Trust; Croydon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Croydon is seeking a Head of Planned Care Transformation to lead initiatives improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in healthcare transformation and exceptional leadership skills. This high-impact role involves managing complex projects, collaborating with various teams, and ensuring successful delivery against strategic goals.

Benefits

Access to core skills training

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading complex transformation programmes within healthcare or similarly regulated environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale transformation programmes to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability of planned care.
• Collaborate with clinical, operational, and executive teams to deliver innovative solutions.
• Manage programme budgets and ensure delivery of benefits on time.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Skills

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma

Project/Programme Management Qualification

Job description

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Croydon is a busy, exciting and diverse place to work. The borough has one of the youngest populations in London and continues to grow.

Croydon Health Services cares for local people at Croydon University Hospital, Purley Memorial Hospital and in clinics and people's homes all across the borough.

We are a very close-knit and friendly organisation where everyone of our 3600 members of staff is valued. We strongly believe that our employees are our greatest asset and so through Listening into Action - our way of engaging staff - we empower everyone at any level to initiate and bring about real improvements in our care.
Join us and be a part of the team that is making Croydon proud. #choosecroydon

Job overview

Head of Planned Care Transformation

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving transformational change in healthcare? Do you thrive in complex environments where innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking are key to delivering outstanding patient care?

We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the transformation of our Planned Care services. You will spearhead high-impact initiatives to redesign elective care pathways, reduce waiting times, and improve patient outcomes across acute hospital services.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead large-scale transformation programmes to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability of planned care.
• Collaborate with clinical, operational, and executive teams to deliver innovative solutions aligned with national targets, including RTT standards.
• Use data-driven insights and rapid improvement workshops to boost productivity and performance.
• Manage programme budgets and ensure delivery of benefits on time and within scope.
• Act as a strategic partner to the Executive Team and Director of Transformation.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in leading complex transformation programmes within healthcare or similarly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of elective care pathways and performance improvement.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands‑on approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Proposed Interview Date: 17th December 2025

Main duties of the job

As Head of Planned Care Transformation, you will lead strategic and operational initiatives to improve the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of planned care services across the Trust. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement transformation strategies aligned with national and local priorities, ensuring delivery against key performance targets such as RTT and cancer waiting times.
• Programme Delivery: Lead complex, cross‑functional transformation programmes across outpatient services, elective surgery, diagnostics, and day‑case procedures.
• Team Management: Line manage and develop a high‑performing transformation team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with clinical leaders, operational teams, and external partners across the Integrated Care System to deliver integrated care pathways.
• Performance & Governance: Oversee programme governance, reporting, and benefit realisation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
• Change Management: Drive cultural and operational change, supporting staff through transitions and embedding new ways of working.
• Financial Oversight: Manage programme budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and alignment with the Trust's financial goals.

This is a high‑impact leadership role requiring strategic vision, operational expertise, and a passion for improving patient care.

Working for our organisation

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.

Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and our Children's Hospital at Home cares for children with long‑term conditions without them having to come to hospital.

Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff. As well as offering access to a range of core skills training and professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

**********Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role in job description and person specification ************

Person specification

Education, qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level with either a Master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma or equivalent qualification in continuous improvement methodologies
• Project/Programme Management Qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field
• Coaching or mentoring qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience in leading large‑scale transformation and improvement initiatives within an acute hospital or healthcare setting
• proven track record of optimising elective care pathways and delivering measurable improvements in service performance
• Experience of working at a senior level, managing complex projects, and engaging multidisciplinary teams across clinical and operational areas

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with Integrated Care Systems or Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• In‑depth knowledge of planned care pathways, elective care services, and the challenges facing acute hospitals
• Advanced knowledge of improvement methodologies and their application in healthcare settings

Skills

Essential criteria

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent leadership and influencing skills
• highly developed communication and interpersonal skills

Your recruitment team

The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us: E: [e-mail]

Your application

Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.

References

Please provide a minimum of 3 years' employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre‑employment checks.

Closing date

To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

Shortlisting

If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.

Application feedback

If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Safeguarding and DBS Checks

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• JD & Person Spec (PDF, 600.3KB)
• CHS DBS Policy Statement (PDF, 53.0KB)
• Map of Croydon University Hospital (PDF, 95.6KB)
• CHS Accomodation (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Croydon Trust Values (PDF, 324.9KB)