Programme Assistant – Industry and Innovation – NAS

Integrated Care System; Chilworth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Integrated Care System is seeking a Programme Assistant to support innovative practices within the NHS. This role involves assessing incoming Innovation Records, managing projects, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance healthcare solutions. Ideal candidates will have strong project management and communication skills, as well as relevant experience in the NHS or healthcare sector.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in project management or relevant discipline.
• Experience in NHS or healthcare sector work.
• Project Management training (e.g., PRINCE II) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assess Innovation Records in the NHS Innovation Service.
• Evaluate development stage and allocate support to partner organizations.
• Manage service flow, delegate assessments, and prioritize tasks.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Relationship Building

Education

Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline

Project Management training (e.g., PRINCE II)

Relevant clinical/healthcare degree or qualification

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Go back University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Programme Assistant – Industry and Innovation – NAS

The closing date is 27 July 2025

As one of 15 Health Innovation Networks (HINs) across England, we connect and support academics, the NHS, industry, and others to bring fresh energy to old problems, inspired thinking to new ones, and to adopt innovative practice at scale.

You will work with progressive startups, clinicians, and innovators from across the UK and potentially globally, focusing on innovative ideas, products, and solutions for the NHS and patients. Your role will involve curating opportunities for them to navigate the health innovation ecosystem through various NHS, NIHR, and national bodies.

Main duties of the job

As one of 15 Health Innovation Networks (HINs) across England, we connect and support academics, the NHS, industry, and others to bring fresh energy to old problems, inspired thinking to new ones, and to adopt innovative practice at scale.

You will work with progressive startups, clinicians, and innovators from across the UK and potentially globally, focusing on innovative ideas, products, and solutions for the NHS and patients. Your role will involve curating opportunities for them to navigate the health innovation ecosystem through various NHS, NIHR, and national bodies.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs, and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely demonstrates strong time management and a commitment to innovation. Personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your skills and experiences is crucial. Relying heavily on generic, AI-generated content may lead to rejection if multiple candidates present similar information.

At UHS, we're committed to providing a flexible working environment to support work-life balance, family, study, or wellbeing needs. We value diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to contribute to our community.

Job responsibilities

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT YOU'LL DO

You will assess incoming Innovation Records in the NHS Innovation Service to understand the innovation, its use, and purpose. You will evaluate the development stage and identify outstanding needs. Using your skills and expertise, you will allocate support to 25 partner organizations such as NIHR, NHS Supply Chain, and NICE to help innovators close developmental gaps. This includes monthly KPI reporting and coordinating reviews with each organization to review support criteria and recent allocations. You will delegate assessments, manage service flow, and prioritize tasks. You will work as part of a dynamic team working with future innovations, supporting innovators to navigate the local healthcare ecosystem, collaborating with NHS providers, academic institutions, research organizations, and local businesses.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We seek passionate, motivated individuals with a proven track record of delivery. You should have tenacity, excellent communication and project management skills, the ability to build relationships quickly, and drive innovation. Experience in clinical, NHS management, industry, product development, commissioning, transformation, or project management is advantageous. An understanding of NHS challenges in innovation deployment and transformation is beneficial, but we welcome diverse experiences.

For an informal chat about the role, contact Gemma Snell.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 06 August 2025.

If you have questions, please use the contact details below.

Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline or project management
• Knowledge of specialist work practices or professional guidelines relevant to the HIW programme
• Experience of NHS or healthcare sector work, or commercial healthcare work
• Project Management training (e.g., PRINCE II)
• Relevant clinical/healthcare degree or qualification

Previous or relevant experience necessary

• Programme or project support in NHS, care, or healthcare sectors
• Experience of integrated working, change management, quality improvement
• Organizing/managing events, technical note-taking, CRM software experience
• Experience in innovation development pathways and reviewing innovations

HIW and the Trust's Values

• Inclusive
• Achieving
• Trustworthy
• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975).

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust