PMO Assurance Lead

NHS; Crawley; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health service is looking for a proactive PMO Assurance Lead to join its Strategy & Transformation Directorate. The successful candidate will coordinate assurance activities, report to senior governance groups, and ensure alignment with NHS governance standards. This role is essential for effective programme delivery and risk management, making it a pivotal part of the organisation's transformation agenda.

Benefits

NHS pension scheme

27 days' holiday increasing after 5 years

Personal and professional development opportunities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Access to occupational health services

NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Professional certification in programme assurance or governance frameworks.
• Proven experience in coordinating programme or project assurance activities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver assurance activities across strategic programmes and portfolios.
• Lead assurance reporting to senior governance groups including EMB, SMG, and Trust Board.
• Monitor programme performance, risks, issues, and interdependencies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Professional certification in programme assurance or governance frameworks

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job summary

Are you passionate about driving improvement through strong governance and evidence-based assurance? SECAmb are seeking a proactive and skilled individual to lead the coordination and delivery of programme assurance across our strategic portfolios. This role is essential in ensuring that delivery remains aligned to the Trust's priorities, that risks are identified and mitigated early, and that robust, accurate reports reach key decision-making groups including the Executive Management Board and Trust Board.

You'll be embedded within a supportive and evolving PMO team, working collaboratively across the Trust and with external partners to uphold the highest standards of accountability and governance. If you thrive on detail, enjoy translating complex data into meaningful insight, and want to help shape the future of NHS transformation, we'd love to hear from you.

We're proud to foster a culture of Kindness, Courage and Integrity--and we welcome applicants who bring both professional credibility and personal passion for doing things the right way.

Main duties of the job

• Coordinate and deliver assurance activities across strategic programmes and portfolios.

• Lead monthly assurance reporting to senior governance groups including EMB, SMG, and Trust Board.

• Ensure assurance processes align with the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) and NHS governance standards.

• Monitor programme performance, risks, issues, and interdependencies, escalating where appropriate.

• Develop and maintain assurance reporting templates and tools for consistency and clarity.

• Support financial assurance activities and provide evidence for internal and external audits.

• Collaborate with Corporate Governance and programme leads to ensure compliance and alignment.

• Act as a key point of contact for assurance matters with internal stakeholders and external regulators.

• Build capability in assurance and governance across the PMO and wider programme teams.

• Drive continuous improvement through research, benchmarking, and lessons learned.

About us

• Option to join NHS pension scheme
• A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years' service.
• Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
• Access to occupational health and counselling services.
• Award winning wellbeing hub
• Back up buddy App
• Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.

Details Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

278-PMOAL-0725-AS

Job locations

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Headquarters

Nexus House, 4 Gatwick Road

Crawley

RH10 8BG

Job description Job responsibilities

We are seeking a proactive and experienced PMO Assurance Lead to join our Strategy & Transformation Directorate at South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). This role is central to ensuring that our strategic programmes are delivered effectively, risks are well managed, and governance standards are upheld across the organisation.

Working closely with the Head of PMO, Corporate Governance, programme teams and senior stakeholders, you will lead on the coordination and delivery of assurance activities that support executive decision-making and regulatory compliance. Youll play a key role in reporting to the Executive Management Board, Senior Management Group, and Trust Boardensuring transparency, consistency, and alignment with the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) and NHS governance standards.

This is a critical role for embedding a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and assurance excellence across SECAmbs transformation agenda.

Job description Job responsibilities

We are seeking a proactive and experienced PMO Assurance Lead to join our Strategy & Transformation Directorate at South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). This role is central to ensuring that our strategic programmes are delivered effectively, risks are well managed, and governance standards are upheld across the organisation.

Working closely with the Head of PMO, Corporate Governance, programme teams and senior stakeholders, you will lead on the coordination and delivery of assurance activities that support executive decision-making and regulatory compliance. Youll play a key role in reporting to the Executive Management Board, Senior Management Group, and Trust Boardensuring transparency, consistency, and alignment with the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) and NHS governance standards.

This is a critical role for embedding a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and assurance excellence across SECAmbs transformation agenda.

Person Specification Education / Qualifications Essential

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Professional certification in programme assurance or governance frameworks.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Programme/Project Management qualification (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2).
• Formal training in risk management.

Experience Essential

• Proven experience in coordinating programme or project assurance activities within a complex organisation.
• Experience in developing and implementing governance and reporting frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience in providing assurance for initiatives involving cross-functional or multi-organisation collaboration.

Desirable

• Experience within the NHS or a similar public-sector environment.
• Experience supporting audits or regulatory compliance activities.

Knowledge & Skills Essential

• Strong understanding of programme assurance methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt assurance frameworks to suit diverse programme complexities and organisational contexts.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in IT tools, including MS Office and programme management software.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS governance standards, including the BAF.
• Familiarity with risk management tools and techniques.

Personal Attributes Essential

• Resilient, self-motivated, and adaptable to changing demands.
• Collaborative and approachable, with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive and innovative mindset, with a focus on delivering high-quality assurance outcomes.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Person Specification Education / Qualifications Essential

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Professional certification in programme assurance or governance frameworks.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Programme/Project Management qualification (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2).
• Formal training in risk management.

Experience Essential

• Proven experience in coordinating programme or project assurance activities within a complex organisation.
• Experience in developing and implementing governance and reporting frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience in providing assurance for initiatives involving cross-functional or multi-organisation collaboration.

Desirable

• Experience within the NHS or a similar public-sector environment.
• Experience supporting audits or regulatory compliance activities.

Knowledge & Skills Essential

• Strong understanding of programme assurance methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt assurance frameworks to suit diverse programme complexities and organisational contexts.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in IT tools, including MS Office and programme management software.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS governance standards, including the BAF.
• Familiarity with risk management tools and techniques.

Personal Attributes Essential

• Resilient, self-motivated, and adaptable to changing demands.
• Collaborative and approachable, with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive and innovative mindset, with a focus on delivering high-quality assurance outcomes.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

SECamb

Address

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Headquarters

Nexus House, 4 Gatwick Road

Crawley

RH10 8BG

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

SECamb

Address

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Headquarters

Nexus House, 4 Gatwick Road

Crawley

RH10 8BG

Employer's website

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