Head of Unplanned Care Transformation

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust; Croydon; On-site; GBP 82,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a dynamic leader for the role of Head of Unplanned Care Transformation. This position involves driving significant improvements in urgent and emergency care services across their acute hospital. The ideal candidate must have proven experience in large-scale transformation and should possess strong leadership and change management skills. The role offers a competitive salary range and the opportunity to lead significant healthcare initiatives in a well-respected trust.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in leading large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Experience of implementing large-scale service improvement projects.
• Experience at a senior level, managing complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic transformation initiatives across urgent and emergency care.
• Drive improvements in patient flow and service efficiency.
• Manage complex transformation programmes effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Degree level education with Master's or equivalent

Project/Programme Management qualification

Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma or equivalent

Job description

Are you ready to lead transformational change in urgent and emergency care? Do you thrive in fast‑paced environments where strategic thinking, collaboration, and innovation are key to improving patient outcomes?

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join our Transformation Team as Head of Unplanned Care Transformation. This pivotal role will shape and deliver high‑impact programmes that enhance patient flow, reduce delays, and improve the delivery of urgent and emergency care services across our acute hospital.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead strategic transformation initiatives across urgent and emergency care.
• Drive improvements in patient flow, service efficiency, and care quality.
• Manage complex transformation programmes, ensuring delivery of benefits on time and within budget.
• Support the Trust's performance against national targets, including A&E and ambulance handover standards.
• Act as a senior advisor to the Executive Team and Director of Transformation.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in leading large‑scale transformation in urgent or emergency care.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and change management skills.
• A strategic thinker with a hands‑on approach to problem‑solving and service redesign.
• Expertise in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma).

Proposed Interview Date: 17th Dec 2025

Main duties of the job

As Head of Unplanned Care Transformation, you will lead the design and delivery of strategic transformation programmes that improve urgent and emergency care services across the Trust. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading Transformation: Drive large‑scale change programmes to improve patient flow, reduce delays, and enhance the quality and efficiency of urgent and emergency care.
• Strategic Partnership: Work closely with clinical, operational, and executive teams to align transformation initiatives with national priorities and local performance targets, including A&E and ambulance handover standards.
• Programme Management: Oversee the governance, planning, and delivery of transformation projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and achieve measurable benefits.
• Rapid Improvement: Design and facilitate rapid improvement workshops to identify and implement solutions that address key challenges in unplanned care.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a high‑performing transformation team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including system partners, to deliver integrated and patient‑centred care pathways.
• Performance & Reporting: Monitor and report on programme progress, risks, and outcomes to the Executive Team and Trust Board, ensuring transparency and impact.

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provides 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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

Person Specification

Education, Qualification

Essential

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

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in leading large scale transformation and improvement initiatives within acute hospital
• Experience of implementing large scale service improvement and change projects within a large complex organisation
• Experience of working at a senior level, managing complex projects

Desirable

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

Knowledge

Essential

• In‑depth knowledge of urgent and emergency care pathways
• Advanced knowledge of improvement methodologies
• Demonstrable astuteness in understanding and working with complex policy and diverse interest groups

Skills

Essential

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

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Address

Croydon University Hospital

530 London Road

Croydon

CR7 7YE

Employer's website

https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/recruitment/ (Opens in a new tab)

£82,906 to £94,632 a year per annum incl HCAS (Outer)