Programme Director | South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Crawley; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

27 days annual leave

Job summary

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Programme Director to provide strategic leadership for the Guildford OU Estates Transformation Programme, delivering projects safely, on time and within budget.

You will lead governance, planning and delivery across estates, operations and facilities, working with executive teams and external partners to realise benefits and value for money.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, complex transformation programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Guildford OU Estates Transformation Programme.
• Oversee governance, budgeting and delivery across estates and facilities.
• Report progress to senior leadership and programme boards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance

Stakeholder management

Job description

Programme Director | South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Company: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

The Programme Director will provide strategic leadership and accountability for the delivery of the Guildford OU Transformation Programme, ensuring projects are delivered safely, effectively, on time and within approved budgets.

The post holder will lead the planning, governance and delivery of a complex portfolio of estates, property and operational transformation projects, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and operational requirements. Responsibilities include overseeing the development and commissioning of new operational facilities, managing property acquisitions and disposals, and directing external consultants, contractors and advisors.

The role will establish robust governance, financial management, risk control and reporting arrangements, maintaining programme plans, monitoring performance and managing risks and dependencies. They will provide assurance and progress reports to senior leadership and programme boards.

Working closely with operational, corporate and external stakeholders, the post holder will support effective engagement, change management and transition to new facilities and ways of working. They will ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, health and safety and NHS requirements.

The role is accountable for delivering agreed outcomes, benefits realisation and value for money, while providing expert advice to senior leaders and promoting collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the programme.

The Programme Director will lead the delivery of the Guildford OU Estates Transformation Programme, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, within budget and in line with Trust objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership and overall accountability for programme delivery.
• Leading the development, governance and implementation of programme plans, business cases and reporting arrangements.
• Overseeing the development of a new Make Ready Centre and associated estate transformation projects.
• Managing property acquisitions, disposals and estate rationalisation activities.
• Ensuring effective financial management, budget control and benefits realisation.
• Leading the procurement and management of consultants, contractors and delivery partners.
• Identifying, managing and reporting programme risks, issues and opportunities.
• Ensuring compliance with NHS standards, statutory requirements, health and safety legislation and organisational policies.
• Building effective relationships with Executive Directors, operational teams, local authorities and external stakeholders.
• Providing regular progress reports, assurance and recommendations to senior leadership, programme boards and Trust committees.
• Coordinating organisational change and operational transition activities to support successful implementation of new facilities and services.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams and promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• 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.
• Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.
• Award winning wellbeing hub

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.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visible and effective leadership for the programme, establishing a clear vision, objectives and delivery strategy.
• Act as the senior responsible lead for the programme, ensuring alignment with Trust strategic priorities and operational requirements.
• Advise Executive Directors and senior stakeholders on programme progress, risks, opportunities and strategic decisions.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful programme delivery.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

Programme Management and Delivery

• Lead the planning, mobilisation and delivery of all projects within the programme scope.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive programme plans, milestones, dependencies and delivery schedules.
• Ensure effective governance arrangements are established and maintained throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Monitor and report programme performance against agreed objectives, timescales, budgets and quality standards.
• Identify and manage programme risks, issues, interdependencies and constraints, implementing mitigation plans as required.
• Ensure lessons learned and best practice are embedded across all programme activities.

Estates and Property Development

• Lead the development and delivery of new operational facilities, including the planning, design, procurement, construction and commissioning of a new Make Ready Centre.
• Oversee estate rationalisation, property acquisition and disposal activities in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Ensure estate developments comply with all relevant legislation, NHS guidance, planning requirements and regulatory standards.
• Provide strategic oversight of design development to ensure operational efficiency, sustainability and future service requirements are met.
• Lead negotiations with developers, consultants, landlords, local authorities and other external partners.

Financial and Commercial Management

• Assume overall responsibility for programme budgets and financial performance.
• Develop robust business cases and investment proposals to support programme objectives.
• Monitor expenditure, forecast costs and ensure effective financial control arrangements are maintained.
• Ensure value for money is achieved through effective procurement, contract management and commercial decision-making.
• Oversee the management of consultants, contractors and suppliers, ensuring contractual obligations and performance standards are achieved.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Working

• Build effective partnerships with operational leaders, clinical colleagues, corporate services, partner organisations and external agencies.
• Lead engagement, consultation and communication activities throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Present complex information and recommendations to Boards, committees and senior leadership teams.
• Act as a key interface between programme stakeholders, ensuring priorities, expectations and objectives remain aligned.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Ensure robust governance and assurance processes are maintained across the programme.
• Lead the development and maintenance of programme risk registers and assurance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements, including Health and Safety, CDM Regulations, procurement legislation and NHS standards.
• Prepare and present reports, business cases and assurance documentation for approval and oversight groups.
• Ensure appropriate audit trails, documentation and decision-making records are maintained.

Change Management and Benefits Realisation

• Lead organisational change activities associated with programme delivery.
• Ensure operational transition plans are developed and implemented effectively.
• Define, monitor and report programme benefits and outcomes.
• Support the implementation of new ways of working, facilities and service models.
• Ensure programme outcomes deliver measurable improvements in operational effectiveness, resilience, efficiency and staff experience.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead and manage programme staff and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Provide clear objectives, professional support and performance management.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Support staff development, succession planning and capability building.
• Promote wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion across all programme teams.

Key Accountabilities

• Successful delivery of the Guildford Operational Unit Estates Transformation Programme.
• Achievement of programme objectives within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Effective management of programme risks, finances and resources.
• Delivery of planned operational, financial and strategic benefits.
• Compliance with all relevant statutory, regulatory and governance requirements.
• Provision of accurate, timely and professional advice to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, integrity and public sector accountability.

This advert closes on Monday 23 Nov 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Company: South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £79,504 - £91,609 per annum

Hours: Full-time

Location: Crawley, RH10 9BG

Job type: Contract

Posting date: 9 Nov 2026

Closing date: 9 Dec 2026