Head of Planning and Improvement - Corporate Planning

NHS Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Bursary scheme

Learning and development opportunities

NHS Pension Scheme

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) invites applications for two Heads of Planning and Improvement. You will lead planning and transformation across a large, complex healthcare system, reporting to senior executives and working with clinical leaders to shape future services.

The roles require strong track records in strategic planning, service improvement and change management, and the ability to drive outcomes across portfolios.

Qualifications

• Strong track record in strategic planning, service improvement, transformation or leading complex change.
• Experience within the NHS and its operating environment is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Planning and Improvement Managers and support delivery of corporate objectives and transformation ambitions.
• Head strategic and operational planning, improvement and transformation programmes.
• Lead complex service reviews, redesign and change programmes.
• Develop business cases, option appraisals and major service developments.
• Provide expert advice, analysis and insight to inform decision-making at Board and Executive level.
• Collaborate across services, professions and organisational boundaries to deliver sustainable change.
• Build relationships with clinical, operational and corporate leaders and wider system partners.

Skills

Strategic planning

Service improvement

Transformation

Leadership

Change management

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role:

We are looking for two talented and experienced leaders to join our Corporate Planning Team as Heads of Planning and Improvement. These are pivotal leadership roles at the heart of strategic planning, improvement and transformation across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Working closely with Executive Directors, clinical leaders and operational teams, you will help shape future services, support delivery of corporate priorities and translate strategy into meaningful and sustainable change across one of the most complex healthcare systems in the UK.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• JB Russell House
• Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
• Permanent, full-time

Key responsibilities:

Leading a team of Planning and Improvement Managers, you will play a key role in supporting the organisation to deliver its corporate objectives and transformation ambitions. You will lead a varied portfolio of planning and improvement work, providing expert advice, challenge and support to senior leaders across the organisation. The roles have a broad and influential remit and will support the delivery of strategic priorities, service improvement and transformation across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Responsibilities will vary across portfolios but are likely to include:

• Leading strategic and operational planning, improvement and transformation programmes · Supporting the development and delivery of Board priorities, corporate objectives and strategic plans
• Leading complex service reviews, redesign and change programmes
• Supporting the development of business cases, option appraisals and major service developments
• Providing expert advice, analysis and insight to inform decision-­making at Board and Executive level
• Working collaboratively across services, professions and organisational boundaries to deliver sustainable change
• Building strong relationships with clinical, operational and corporate leaders, Health and Social Care Partnerships and wider system partners
• Leading teams and programmes to deliver measurable improvements in services and outcomes You will work with a high degree of autonomy in a complex and fast-­moving environment. Success in these roles requires excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills, together with the ability to navigate complexity, build consensus and deliver results through collaboration and partnership working.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse professional backgrounds who can demonstrate a strong track record in strategic planning, service improvement, transformation or leading complex change. You may currently be working in a senior planning, operational, managerial or consultancy role and be looking for an opportunity to influence large-­scale change and system improvement. Significant knowledge and experience of working within the NHS and its operating environment is essential.

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a strong track record of leading planning, transformation or change programmes within large and complex organisations, coupled with the strategic insight, resilience and credibility required to operate effectively at a senior level. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and ambitious team and play a leading role in shaping the future of services across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. If you are motivated by complex challenges, driven by improvement and passionate about making a difference at scale, we would welcome your application.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Please Note: The recruitment process will include a pre-interview assessment stage for shortlisted candidates, followed by a formal panel interview.

Interviews will be held on 4th and 5th November 2026

Interested?

For an informal discussion, please contact:
Ali Marshall, Deputy Director of Planning, Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

Jenny McCann, Deputy Director of Planning, Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as "various", we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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