Portfolio Director (Elective Reform)

Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS healthcare provider in Preston is seeking an experienced individual to lead the Elective Reform Programme. This role involves cross-organisational transformation, stakeholder engagement, and governance processes essential for improving elective services delivery. The ideal candidate will have expertise in leadership, programme management, and an understanding of patient involvement. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.

Qualifications

• Knowledge in elective services delivery is essential.
• Role requires high-level leadership and cross-organisational transformation expertise.
• Experience in governance and stakeholder engagement needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Elective Reform Programme and related transformation initiatives.
• Establish governance and assurance processes.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-organisational transformation

Programme management

Job description

Overview

The role leads and engages a diverse group of staff to deliver the Elective Reform Programme, ensuring collaborative operation among stakeholders and alignment across clinical teams. You will operate with high political awareness, working with boards, providers, partnerships, regulators, patients and carers. The post involves planning and establishing programmes, managing team members, and driving cross‑organisational transformation and programme management to support elective services delivery.

You will lead the Elective Reform Programme and aligned transformation initiatives, collaborating with the Portfolio Director (Clinical Reform) to develop and execute a combined workplan. The role requires establishing effective governance and assurance processes, building strong stakeholder relationships, and fostering a collaborative culture to improve services.

You will lead development of project management methodologies, secure funding, prioritise projects to maximise impact, and ensure evidence‑based decision‑making. You will be accountable for authorising expenditures, line management of the programme team, and ensuring delivery of measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Elective Reform Programme and related transformation initiatives, developing and executing a unified workplan with the Portfolio Director (Clinical Reform).
• Establish governance and assurance processes with close collaboration across the financial and operational planning for Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC).
• Build and maintain relationships with a broad range of stakeholders to foster a collaborative culture and secure support for the elective reform agenda.
• Develop processes to engage patients, families and carers, ensuring they are informed, consulted and involved at every stage of the programme.
• Lead the production of key programme documentation, including the Elective Reform workplan, assurance and delivery reports, performance dashboards and data insights; contribute to business case development where appropriate.
• Lead and deliver transparent, option‑driven decision making with clear rationale for recommendations.
• Develop governance arrangements and policies to clarify decision‑making roles for partner organisations.
• Deliver effective cross‑organisational matrix working to drive quality initiatives and share best practice across providers, localities, regions and nationally where applicable.
• Champion patient interests and ensure learning and best practice are shared to create a lasting legacy for future transformation programmes.
• Develop and implement project and programme management methodologies with clear accountabilities, including PID, project plans, KPIs and risk registers.
• Lead policy development for Elective Reform and, where applicable, national considerations.
• Lead the development and approval of funding bids and business cases, including budget analysis and financial projections to ensure outcomes are delivered.
• Prioritise projects to maximise programme impact and ensure sustainable progress.
• Authorise expenditure and manage commissioning and procurement in line with delegated authorities.
• Line manage and supervise the programme team to deliver the programme.
• Ensure the collection of evidence and analytics to inform programmes and drive quality and cost improvements; commission information resources as required.
• Develop local implementation plans and processes relating to national mandates and policy areas.

Collaboration and Context

The post sits within a collaborative framework of five Acute and Mental Health NHS Trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria, reporting to the Provider Collaboration Board and contributing to the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System. Collaborative members include:

• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Requirements and Environment

Knowledge in elective services delivery is essential. The role requires high‑level leadership, cross‑organisational transformation expertise, and programme management skills. The post involves governance, stakeholder engagement, patient and public involvement, and the development of robust planning, reporting and financial processes to sustain services.

Notes

Applications are via the TRAC recruitment system. The advert may close earlier if sufficient applications are received. The organisation is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and to safe recruitment practices, including DBS where applicable. Guidance on AI use in applications is provided within the recruitment process.