Programme Head, Community Diagnostic Centres, Dorset

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Corfe Castle; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Programme Head to lead the Dorset Community Diagnostic Centres programme. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving service transformation and engaging stakeholders across Dorset. Exceptional communication and operational skills are essential. This role offers the opportunity to impact healthcare delivery in the region significantly.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading large-scale service transformation.
• Exceptional communication and operational skills.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Dorset Community Diagnostic Centres programme.
• Develop local strategies aligned with the Long-Term Plan.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders to deliver service change.
• Act as a change champion for the CDC programme.

Job description

Overview

Are you looking for a new challenge? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dynamic person to be a pivotal part of developing and expanding diagnostic services across Dorset. We are looking for someone to take on the Programme Head role for the Dorset wide Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) Programme.

The post holder will lead the continuation and future development of the CDC programme, working closely with executive teams, clinicians, operational managers and other stakeholders across the Dorset system and partner organisations to develop and deliver complex service change reflecting national CDC guidance, and national and local strategies.

This is a high-impact role requiring exceptional communication, operational, and improvement skills, with the ability to influence, coordinate and implement change at pace. The post also recognises the increasing need to enable new models of care and support cross-site service realignment in a dynamic, agile environment.

Base Location: Poole Hospital, working across Dorset as required and working from home. Interview Date: 17th October 2025.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Dorset Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) programme, providing expertise and dynamic leadership in developing and delivering the transformation of services within the identified CDC portfolio across Dorset as agreed through relevant board(s).
• Develop local strategies relevant to the CDC portfolio reflecting the system-wide Long-Term Plan, using local and national material to inform understanding of local needs and engaging with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with System, Trusts, independent sector colleagues and other stakeholders across the Dorset system and partner organisations to develop and deliver service change that reflects an agreed target operating model and national/local strategies, supports efficiency, demand management and improved outcomes, and is fit for the future.
• Provide leadership to support teams to maximise the development of services for the Dorset system in the context of national programmes and local plans, ensuring all stakeholders are engaged in the programme.
• Act as a visible and influential change champion for Dorset, delivering the CDC programme as it develops, driving innovation, improvement and consistency, and increasing access to diagnostics across the county.

Organisation and Context

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future, and define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD is investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. We are in line to receive a significant national investment of £147 million to transform our services and redevelop Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals, now merged as University Hospitals Dorset. We have been able to access these national funds because we have a strong plan in Dorset. Our vision is to join up our services so they can be delivered more integrally, improve outcomes for patients, optimise resources, and ensure sustainable services. We aim to establish modern, well-equipped centres of excellence with sustainable roles for staff, standardisation of education and training, and to attract and retain skilled clinical and non-clinical staff to Dorset. This is a great opportunity as our two hospital trusts merge.

Notes for applicants

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Judith May
Job title: Director of Operational Performance and Oversight
Email: [e-mail]