Programme Manager – Start Well

Whittington Health; Greater London; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Whittington Health NHS Trust is seeking a Programme Manager to lead the Start Well Programme across North Central London, coordinating multi-stakeholder workstreams, governance, and reporting. The post requires strong programme management, planning, and stakeholder engagement across organisations.

You will work with clinical, operational and system partners to deliver maternity, neonatal and paediatric service improvements, ensuring alignment with governance standards and NHS priorities.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).
• Understanding of NHS structures and service transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams to achieve objectives and milestones.
• Develop and maintain programme plans, monitor progress and manage risks and dependencies.
• Coordinate programme governance, including reports and updates for programme boards and stakeholders.
• Build relationships with clinical, operational and external stakeholders to support collaboration.
• Analyse complex information and performance data to inform decision-making.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Analytical skills

Education

Degree level education

CPD

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management tools

Job description

Employer Whittington Health NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Whittington Health NHS Trust Town Magdala Avenue, London Salary £66,274 - £73,496 per annum inclusive of HCAs Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59

Please note in order to progress your application, your data will be processed by our 3 rd party recruitment providers – North London Partners Shared Service, who conduct recruitment activities on behalf of Whittington Health NHS Trust.

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

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If incorrect or misleading information is identified, this may affect the progression of an application, any employment offer, or continued employment. As part of our due diligence, the company may verify the information provided by applicants and take appropriate act ion where necessary.

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The Programme Manager will play a key role in delivering the Start Well Programme, a major transformation programme across North Central London aimed at improving maternity, neonatal and paediatric services. Working across multiple organisations, the postholder will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of complex programme workstreams, ensuring successful implementation through effective programme management, stakeholder engagement and governance. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to large-scale service transformation and improve outcomes for women, babies, children and families across the region.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated workstreams within the Start Well Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed objectives, milestones and outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project plans, monitoring progress and managing risks, issues, dependencies and benefits to support successful programme delivery.
• Coordinate programme governance, including preparing reports, papers and updates for programme boards and stakeholder groups.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical, operational and system partners, facilitating collaboration and resolving issues where required.
• Analyse complex information and performance data to support decision‑making and provide recommendations to the Programme Director and senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring actions are tracked and delivered.
• Support the Programme Director with financial monitoring, resource planning, procurement and programme reporting.
• Maintain accurate programme documentation and ensure compliance with governance, information governance and organisational policies.
• Contribute to the implementation of service transformation, ensuring delivery is aligned with programme objectives, quality standards and best practice.

Working for our organisation

Whittington Health NHS Trust is committed to helping local people live longer, healthier lives by providing safe, personal and coordinated care. As an integrated care organisation, we provide both hospital and community services to a diverse population across Islington, Haringey and neighbouring London boroughs.

The Start Well programme represents a significant transformation of maternity, neonatal and paediatric surgical services across North Central London. Following approval of the Decision‑Making Business Case, the programme is now in its implementation phase and will deliver changes that ensure every child has the best possible start in life. Whittington Health is proud to host the Start Well programme team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Programme Manager will support the delivery of the Start Well Programme, a major transformation programme across North Central London to improve maternity, neonatal and paediatric services.

The postholder will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams, ensuring objectives are achieved within agreed timescales, scope and quality standards. They will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and system partners to manage programme plans, governance, risks, issues, dependencies and stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective programme delivery.

The role requires excellent programme and project management skills, with the ability to analyse complex information, manage competing priorities and influence a wide range of stakeholders. The postholder will contribute to service transformation by supporting governance, monitoring performance, managing programme documentation, facilitating meetings and workshops, and providing high‑quality reports and advice to senior leaders and programme boards.

The Programme Manager will also support the Programme Director in financial monitoring, procurement, resource planning and benefits realisation, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, governance requirements and information governance standards.

Main responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of designated programme workstreams to achieve agreed objectives and milestones.
• Develop and maintain programme plans, monitoring progress and managing risks, issues, dependencies and benefits.
• Coordinate programme governance, including preparing reports, papers and updates for programme boards and senior stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clinical, operational and external stakeholders to support collaborative working across organisations.
• Analyse complex information and performance data to inform decision‑making and provide recommendations to senior leaders.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring actions are tracked and delivered.
• Support the Programme Director with budget monitoring, procurement, resource planning and financial reporting.
• Maintain accurate programme documentation and ensure compliance with governance, information governance and organisational policies.
• Contribute to the successful implementation of service transformation, ensuring delivery is aligned with programme objectives, quality standards and best practice.

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
• Understanding of NHS structures and service transformation
• Knowledge of programme and project management approaches

Work Experience

• Experience of managing complex projects or workstreams in a multi‑stakeholder environment
• Risk, issue and dependency management (RAID) and programme reporting
• Preparing reports, briefing papers and presentations
• Service redesign / transformation projects within healthcare or public sector
• Working collaboratively across organisations (e.g. Trusts, ICBs)
• Experience of supporting or managing staff or project teams
• Experience of monitoring budgets and supporting value for money

Skills & Knowledge

• Analyse complex information and develop options and recommendations
• Planning and organisation across multiple workstreams
• Stakeholder engagement, including presenting complex or sensitive information
• Ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and manage competing
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools
• Understanding of governance processes

Values & Behaviours

• Demonstrates ICARE values; collaborative and inclusive working
• Builds effective working relationships
• Adaptable and resilient in a changing environment
• Professional and credible approach
• Awareness of organisational sensitivities

Effort Factors

• Concentration required across multiple priorities and deadlines
• Managing challenging situations and resistance to change

Other Requirements

• Commitment to professional development
• Ability to travel across NCL sites

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:

• Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with theLondon Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
• Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
• Participate in required training and supervision.
• Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct

Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are from underrepresented groups in the organisation