National UEC Programme Director

NHS ENGLAND; Leeds; On-site; GBP 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs is recruiting for a National UEC Programme Director to lead and deliver national urgent and emergency care transformation. You will combine strategic vision with operational grip, working with NHS England, government officials, and system partners across multiple sites including Leeds and London.

The role requires credibility, political astuteness, and extensive experience in large-scale national programmes.

Qualifications

• Masters-level qualification or equivalent senior-level experience in a relevant specialist area.
• Extensive experience of leading complex, high-profile programmes at national or comparable scale.
• Strong analytical judgement and the ability to interpret complex information and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Experience of financial management, programme governance and risk management.

Job description

National UEC Programme Director

• Company: NHS Jobs


• Salary: from £131,301 a year


• Hours: Full-time


• Location: Leeds / London, LS1 4AP


• Job type: Contract


• Posting date: 5 Oct 2026


• Closing date: 18 Oct 2026

Summary

About you You will be an experienced, credible and politically astute senior leader with a strong track record of delivering complex national programmes and transformational change. You will combine strategic vision with operational grip and be confident working with senior NHS leaders, government officials, Ministers and a wide range of system partners. Masters-level qualification or equivalent senior-level experience in a relevant specialist area. Extensive experience of leading complex, high-profile programmes at national or comparable scale. Expert knowledge of demand and capacity planning, strategy development and implementation. Significant leadership and people-management experience, including building effective teams in matrix environments. Highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills. Strong analytical judgement and the ability to interpret complex information and make sound decisions under pressure. Experience of financial management, programme governance and risk management. A clear understanding of how NHS England, government and health and care organisations work together to deliver national change. Ability to travel across multiple sites when required. Please review the Person Specification in the Job Description when writing your application, please clearly demonstrate how your skills, knowledge, and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Why join NHS England? NHS England leads the NHS in England to deliver high-quality care for all, improve outcomes, tackle inequalities and secure the best possible value for taxpayers. You will join a values-led organisation committed to working together for patients, respect and dignity, compassion, quality of care, improving lives and ensuring everyone counts. If you are ready to shape the future of urgent and emergency care at national level, we would welcome your application. Please note that the reason for the fixed term of this contract is short term vacancy.