Interim Head of Improvement (12-Month FTC) – NHS

Transformation Unit; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Interim Head of Improvement (Band 8C) to lead the Trust's productivity enhancement agenda. The role is fixed-term for 12 months to January 2028, working 37.5 hours per week, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, and coordinating across Care Groups and clinical departments to deliver tangible improvements.

Responsibilities include developing a robust PMO framework, driving service and quality improvements, and ensuring governance,

Qualifications

• Experience in leading service improvement and transformation within a complex health organisation.
• Strong ability to design and implement improvement programmes with governance and risk management.
• Knowledge of GIRFT, QA/QI methods and performance reporting within NHS settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead on service improvement priorities aligned to Trust objectives and GIRFT opportunities.
• Develop and embed QI methodology, training, and delivery across teams.
• Plan improvements with Care Groups, finance, and executive teams; translate plans into actionable priorities.
• Ensure governance and assurance for major improvement projects and programmes.
• Coordinate reporting to Improvement Group and Finance & Sustainability Committee.
• Drive cost-benefit analysis and sustainable financial stewardship of improvement initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Quality improvement

Financial management

NHS experience

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Interim Head of Improvement (Band 8C) to lead the Trust's productivity enhancement agenda. The role is fixed-term for 12 months to January 2028, working 37.5 hours per week, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, and coordinating across Care Groups and clinical departments to deliver tangible improvements.

Responsibilities include developing a robust PMO framework, driving service and quality improvements, and ensuring governance,