Head of Transformation and Performance

NHS Ayrshire & Arran; St Albans; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in St Albans is seeking a Head of Transformation and Performance. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping strategic priorities and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. Responsibilities include inspiring colleagues, leading complex change initiatives, and delivering measurable performance outcomes. The ideal applicant has extensive experience in senior management within the NHS and a proven track record in transformation and performance improvement.

Benefits

Minimum of 27 days annual leave

Membership of NHS Pension Scheme

Paid sick leave

Occupational health services

Employee counselling services

Qualifications

• Extensive senior management experience in NHS or complex public sector.
• Experience in financial management including budgeting.
• Experience leading complex change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Shape the direction of the organisation and deliver high standards.
• Inspire and engage colleagues across divisions.
• Ensure improvement and increase value in services.

Skills

Strong leadership and team working skills

Decision-making and problem-solving

Highly developed influencing and communication skills

Political awareness

Ability to interpret complex data

Education

Master's level or equivalent

Postgraduate Management or Project Management qualification

Job description

Overview

I am delighted to invite applications for the role of Head of Transformation and Performance. This is a unique and high-profile opportunity to shape the future direction of our organisation and ensure we continue to deliver the highest standards of service and care. We are seeking a visionary leader who can bring energy, innovation, and expertise to drive forward our ambitious transformation agenda. The successful candidate will play a critical role in setting strategic priorities, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and delivering measurable performance outcomes that make a real difference to both our workforce and the communities we serve.

This role requires a balance of strong strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You will be expected to inspire and engage colleagues at all levels, working collaboratively across divisions to identify opportunities for improvement, streamline processes, and ensure we are maximising value in everything we do. You will also bring experience in leading complex change programmes, ensuring that transformation is not just about structures and processes, but about building a culture where people feel empowered to contribute and succeed.

We are looking for someone with the confidence to challenge the status quo, the resilience to lead through complexity, and the ability to translate vision into action. In return, you will be joining a supportive leadership team, committed to investing in your success, and you will have the chance to leave a lasting impact by helping to shape the future of our services and outcomes. If you are an ambitious, forward-thinking leader with a proven track record in transformation and performance improvement, we would be delighted to hear from you.

NHS Lanarkshire

Have you always wanted to work with NHS Lanarkshire? Then this might be the opportunity for you to join Team Lanarkshire! Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services. We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.

What we'll need you to bring

Education / Qualifications

• Educated to master’s level or equivalent.
• Postgraduate Management or Project Management qualification, or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Extensive senior management experience in NHS or another complex public sector organisation.
• Extensive experience in planning, performance, and quality management within a large complex organisation.
• Experience in financial management, including costing and budget-holding for specific projects.

Skills / Knowledge

• Strong leadership and team working skills.
• Decision-making abilities and sound problem-solving skills.
• Highly developed influencing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Political awareness and understanding of national and regional healthcare planning policy.
• High intellectual capacity, assertive, confident, and adaptable to change.
• Ability to interpret complex data and provide strategic advice.

Other Attributes

• Credibility and integrity at senior levels.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and numerical ability.
• Effective time management and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Experience of working at strategic and policy level.
• Demonstrated experience of leading complex change initiatives.

Please note for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.

Other opportunities

It would be great if you also have

Education / Qualifications

• Additional leadership or governance-related qualifications.

Experience

• Experience in multi-agency or integrated health and social care partnerships.
• Experience of reporting to or working closely with government directorates or boards.
• Experience in delivering sustainability and value programmes.
• Experience of working with national or international benchmarking systems.

Skills / Knowledge

• Knowledge of corporate governance and business performance management systems.
• Knowledge of project lifecycle approaches and programme management best practices.
• Experience in quality improvement and change management frameworks.

Other Attributes

• Flexible and innovative approach to problem solving.
• Experience in chairing multi-disciplinary and senior-level meetings.
• Ability to maintain composure and effective communication under pressure or in challenging situations.

Contract type: Permanent | Full time | 37 hours

Location and Working Pattern: This role will be based in SLUHSCP Senior Management Team within Alamada Street, Hamilton. The working pattern for this role is Monday - Sunday. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview may be considered for similar vacancies in alternative locations.

Looking to find out more?

If you’re looking to find out more, then we would love to hear from you!

Please contact Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership on [e-mail]. For enquiries regarding the application form or recruitment process, please contact Lewis Melvin, HR Recruitment Systems and Projects Lead on [e-mail] (Please remember to include the job title and reference number in your email)

Why NHS Lanarkshire?

Join us and you will discover a supportive environment where you will have the chance to add to your skills and further your career.

Some Of NHS Lanarkshire’s Benefits Include:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave increasing with length of service
• A minimum of 8 days of public holidays
• Membership of NHS Pension Scheme, with life insurance benefits
• Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
• Occupational health services
• Employee counselling services
• Work-life Balance policies and procedures

NHS Lanarkshire have a range of support services on topics that can impact both on your working and personal life including occupational health, spiritual care and independent counselling. This support can be accessed using the links on this page.

Further Information

For more information on the role, the organisation and the selection process for this post, please see our Recruitment Pack:

NHS Lanarkshire Recruitment Pack - Head of Transformation and Performance